High Sierra Topix

Greetings!

I'm new to the forum, and I've come seeking info/advice about a potential JMT hike this summer. As much as my buddy and I would love to do the entire portion from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney, we only have 7-9 days and thus doing the entire trek is not possible. We're planning on a mid-August trip.

We are both comfortable with hiking long distances and are in good shape, so that is not an issue, and we do have some backpacking experience (Level 2). We've both had some experience on Class 2 terrain. We're flexible as far as loop versus out and back-We can make the logistics work. We're looking for a high challenge and high reward trip. We're not afraid of climbing, and we'd also love to get some fishing in along the way. Coming from Florida, we are aware that the altitude will be an issue, but we are wiling to take a day to get acclimated.

What part of the JMT would you all recommend if you only had a week? What entry and exit points would you use?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to HST!
Would recommend doing the North Lake to South Lake Loop via Piute Pass not
Lamarck Col, and hitch a ride back to North Lake from South Lake. You will find
several trip reports by using the "search feature" at the top of the backpacking
section. For example: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8374&p=61072&hilit= ... oop#p61072" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would not necessarily focus on the JMT---there is no class 2, or 3 on THAT trail__but since you asked, almost everyone who hikes the JMT says that a high point is the Tuolumne to Reds Meadow/postpile setion, past Thousand Island lake and Banner/Ritter,

And there is certainly enough stuff to do to fill your days along this route, include lake Catherine, Altha, Ediza, etc.

Have to agree with Balzaccom on this one. That section is typically 3-4 days (depends on how much you want to stop and smell the roses). You can continue to VVR if you have enough time, or do side trips as Balzaccom suggests and exit at Red's. Have you ever hiked at elevation ? If not, I would give myself two days to acclimate to be on the safe side.

Here's something else to consider. I assume, coming from Florida, that you're flying out ?
Day 1 Fly to Reno and drive to Tuolumne Meadows. Camp in BP campground
Day 2 Acclimate in TM. Day hike to Gaylor Lake, maybe try Mt. Dana
Day 3 Acclimate
Days 4-7 Hike the JMT to Red's meadow
Day 7 catch the shuttle at Red's to Mammoth Lake, then the shuttle to TM and pick up car
Day 8 Drive back to Reno
Day 9 Fly home.

Thanks for the replies and options offered thus far.

To answer a few questions: Yes, we are planning on flying out from FL. We have looked initially at flights into Fresno because my friend has some old friends out there who would be willing to give us rides from the airport out to where we would need to go. Are there any treks that are more accessible from the western side/Fresno area? Flying into Reno or Las Vegas is certainly an option at this point, but I figured I'd ask.

You mentioned not focusing on the JMT-What other trips are out there that fit well in this time period that you would recommend? The North Lake-South Lake Loop looks quite intriguing-John has mentioned wanting to get into the Evolution Valley area based on reports he has heard.

We'll take the advice on acclimating-We've both done higher elevation trips, but it has been 5+ years for me and longer for John.

Again, Thanks!

From the westside have your friends drive you to Yosemite Valley and take the bus to Mammoth then the shuttle to Reds Meadow. From Reds meadow hike to Tuolumne and then ride the shuttle back down to the valley to have your friends pick you back up. If it is your first time to Yosemite I would recomend hiking from Tuolumne down to Yosemite Valley. You would have to deal with all of the people but if you have not been down the Mist Trail I think it is a must. You might even be able to squeeze in Half Dome.

You can access Evolution valley just as easy from the west side. You could loop up Goddard canyon from Florence Lake (relatively low altitude the first day or so) to Martha lake, do a relatively easy X-country over to Wanda Lake and the Muir hut and down the JMT through evolution valley on your way back to Florence lake. Goddard should be very quiet on the way to Wanda Lake, with the Muir hut and Evolution Valley being kind of touristy due to the JMT, but McClure meadow is amazing. If friends are picking you up and dropping you off, you might have them drop you off at Courtright Reservoir and go up Corral post meadow to Disappointment and hell for sure Lakes, then over hell for sure pass down into Goddard canyon and up to Wanda lake for the rest of the loop down to Florence Lake.
I am relatively new so these other guys probably have a better idea, but I was up there last summer, and the place is amazing, and when (not if) I do it again, I'll do one of these routes. It gives you a nice well used trail most of the time, a low elevation at the start and finish for aclimation and the occaisional campfire (no fires above 10k elevation), some relatively easy X-country adventure and the Muir Hut and evolution Valley (they are popular for a reason). Phil

If Fresno ends up being your destination, you could always head up the Kaiser Pass Road to either Florence Lake or Lake Edison. Both have easy access to the JMT and are for me 2 to 3 days (2 from Flo, 3 from Ed), but Im a slow old guy . If you have 7 days, I would choose FLorence and 9, Edison, but thats just me.

A fun place to acclimate would be to head up the the Vermillion Valley Resort at Lake Edison and stay the first evening there with your friends. They have camps, tent cabins, and small motel (rustic) that serves PCT and JMT htrough hikers as well as regular backpackers. Good food and drink with outstanding BBQ on at least Saturdays, maybe the weekend. And their homemade pies are out of this world. Check out their web site. Just down the road is the Mono Hot Springs, which is always a good pre and post hike destination in the area. You didnt mention if the friends will pick you back up, but if thats an option, various loops and out and backs can be done from there. The draw back to the west side when compared to the east is a lack of shuttle serices and no services like rental cars or the like fairly close to the trailhead. Its all back in Fresno.

Evolution would be quicker to reach from Florence. Out of Flornce you would travel up the So. Fk of the San Joquin River to Evo. Camp in EVO Valley proper 1 night (day 2) and then south on the JMT to anywhere from Evolution, Saphire, or Wnda Lakes. Could dayhike to the Darwin Bench. If your comfortable with some cross country you could go from Wanda to the upper So. Fk of the San Joaquin via Davis Lake. Ive done it, but it can be a bit tricky. Another easier cross country option would be to loop through the McGee Lakes west of the JMT. I found this to be a stroll, but gorgeous. Then back down the San Joaquin to the trail head.

If you had the time to go from Edison it would add the upper reaches of Bear Creek, which is a gorgeous Mtn stream and you would pass a few lakes on the JMT (Marie, Heart, and Sallie Keyes) near Selden Pass. The section from Rose Marie Meadows to Sallie Keyes is indeed very scenic and Marie is often cited by JMT hikers as one of the prettier spots along the JMT, which is aying something indeed as most of it is gorgeous.

Regardless of the area you choose and which side you start from, have a great trip and let us know how it went!!

If you fly into Fresno you can easily get into the Roads End Trailhead in Kings (hwy. 180). You can exit SOuth Lake Trailhead and do an epic trans sierra hike south to north and get into incredible country on and off the JMT in 7-9 days (actual trail time)