Advice needed: Starting the JMT in Kennedy Meadows with the Trout Fire looming

[shampeon]

Hey everyone. I'm slated to start an extended John Muir Trail hike August 5 from Kennedy Meadows (my thought was to start at KM to gradually acclimate for the first couple days before hitting the higher sections around Whitney), but the Trout Fire is throwing a wrench or two into those plans. Sequoia NF closed the area around the Trout Fire, including some sections of the PCT around Kennedy Meadows at the very edge of the closure. The closed sections include a segment north of the KM Campground up til the South Fork Kern River bridge. See the PCTA closure map.

It looks like I could take the Wildrose Trail from KM, paralleling the closed section for 13 miles until it meets back up at the bridge, but I've also heard that the Wildrose Trail is more or less gone. Anyone tried that trail recently? I'm comfortable doing cross country travel, but I want to know what I'd be getting into.

If you were me, would you even try to hike out of Kennedy Meadows in 2ish weeks? Or should I look for another trailhead (Olancha Pass, Haiwee, or maybe backtracking over Trail/Mulkey Pass from Horseshoe Meadows)?

[Flamingo]

Hi @shampeon,

I haven't hiked the Wildrose Trail myself, but I'm unsure I would want to. The area east of Crag Peak and north of Ball Mountain has a history of burns, making it hot and shadeless. Much of that area is the sub-8000' zone that can be brutally hot in summer.

Is there something specific about the section north of KM that appeals to you? If not. . . I would suggest you jump on trail further north. I'm a big fan of Olancha Pass: it's relatively well-engineered, and there's water points along the way so you can carry less. As you mentioned, another great option is any of the trails from Horseshoe Meadows. If you're concerned about acclimation, consider camping at Horseshoe Meadows for a night or two before you start. You could even day-hike up Trail Peak, while you're camped there, to help acclimation.

-Victor / Flamingo

[BillyBobBurro]

I hiked Wildrose trail several years ago and it has not been maintained for a very long time. It is not that hard to follow or navigate along it but it is sort of non existent 2-3 miles north of the trailhead. North of Haiwee anything marked as a trail is even less maintained and even harder to follow absent a GPS unit. Much of Wildrose goes through a burn area so you will have little shade and there is no water after the first mile. Your x-country skills will come in handy.

More importantly, it is looking like the trout fire is not close to being stopped and there is talk of evacuating the Kennedy Meadows (south) area. So if you are going to leave a vehicle at the Wildrose trailhead there is a good chance it will be destroyed. And that is if you are even allowed into the area as a non resident.

[shampeon]

@Flamingo, nothing particular about KM, though I've only day hiked around there. I have wanted to check out Monache Meadow and the transition zone into the high country, but I mostly was looking at a non-quota TH where I could get some gradual elevation increases to avoid hitting Whitney on day 3, to avoid altitude issues. I'd like to go through Miter Basin before going into Crabtree. I actually do have a Cottonwood Lakes permit for 8/6 that I would/will turn in after getting my KM permit. But pivoting to Olancha Pass might be the move here.

@BillyBobBurro ok, so that checks out on the Wildrose. Thanks! I'm catching the ESTA bus from Mammoth, so no car.

It's really looking like starting from Olancha Pass would solve all my current issues: water, add a few days to acclimate, and a non-quota TH.