Southern JMT resupply ?

[flemdawg1]

Still 1.5 years out from going, but I thought I'd ask now anyway. Anyone use the Onion Valley CG (I think Sierra Kings does drops there) for resupply or how about Parchers Resort? Both are a-ways off trail, but still shorter than going all the way to town.

Also has anyone flown into and out of Reno? Thinking taking the bus to mammoth from Reno, then the Yarts to YNP (next day), and the bus all the way from Lone Pine afterwards.

[wcgornto]

I am flying directly into Mammoth Lakes this year. There is an Alaska Air / Horizon flight from LAX every day (code share with Delta and American).

[tuswm]

Still 1.5 years out from going, but I thought I'd ask now anyway. Anyone use the Onion Valley CG (I think Sierra Kings does drops there) for resupply or how about Parchers Resort? Both are a-ways off trail, but still shorter than going all the way to town.

Also has anyone flown into and out of Reno? Thinking taking the bus to mammoth from Reno, then the Yarts to YNP (next day), and the bus all the way from Lone Pine afterwards.

We went north to south and had left over food at every resupply. we resupplied at reds meadows and JMT ranch. there were other places but those worked fine. we took one bear can for two people on the first two stretches, and one bear can each from JMT ranch south. we then hitched from whitney portel to lone pine. we then spent the night in the great hostel. but that bus wasnt running that day so we hitched to reno.

[schnikel]

We went north to south and had left over food at every resupply. we resupplied at reds meadows and JMT ranch. there were other places but those worked fine. we took one bear can for two people on the first two stretches, and one bear can each from JMT ranch south. we then hitched from whitney portel to lone pine. we then spent the night in the great hostel. but that bus wasnt running that day so we hitched to reno.

Odd. Same with my wife and I. No leftover food though. Resupplied at Toulumne, Red's, and MTR.
Schnikel

[Sly]

If the timing is right I think you can take the bus from Reno to Lee Vining, then to Yosemite. I'd stay a day or two in Toulemne Meadows to help get acclimated . You can also leave a food drop in the bear boxes at the backpacker camp (no need carrying the food back up from the valley), or resupply ay the store there.

Grab a meal at Red's, (rhe resupply sucks) and do a drop at VVR ($15 drop & free night stay) or Muir Trail Ranch ($45 drop). If you go to VVR and you're not a JMT purist try the Goodale pass Trail in and Bear Creek or Ridge Trail out)

Although you may be able to send a drop to Onion Valley, IMO it's worth taking the Kearsarge Pass Trail to Onion Valley and hitching to Independence if you have too. The trail is gorgeous and well switchbacked.

[flemdawg1]

I am flying directly into Mammoth Lakes this year. There is an Alaska Air / Horizon flight from LAX every day (code share with Delta and American).

I checked the airline ticket prices. It'd be >$500 extra for 2 tickets, so I don't think that'll work for us.

If the timing is right I think you can take the bus from Reno to Lee Vining, then to Yosemite. I'd stay a day or two in Toulemne Meadows to help get acclimated . You can also leave a food drop in the bear boxes at the backpacker camp (no need carrying the food back up from the valley), or resupply ay the store there.

Grab a meal at Red's, (rhe resupply sucks) and do a drop at VVR ($15 drop & free night stay) or Muir Trail Ranch ($45 drop). If you go to VVR and you're not a JMT purist try the Goodale pass Trail in and Bear Creek or Ridge Trail out)

Although you may be able to send a drop to Onion Valley, IMO it's worth taking the Kearsarge Pass Trail to Onion Valley and hitching to Independence if you have too. The trail is gorgeous and well switchbacked.

Thanks for the heads-up on Red's. So far the plan is:
Fly into Reno, bus to Lee Vining, spend night.
Bus to YV, spend night, pickup permits.
3 days to Toulomne Meadow pick up maildrop, shower, night in lodge.
5 days to VVR, Maildrop, shower, laundry, spend night.
2 days to MTR, maildrop.
7 days to Onion Valley CG, maildrop.
5 days to Whitnet Portal, exit. 22 days total. 10 miles/day (we like to sleep in).
Spend night in Lone Pine.
Bus from Lone Pine to Reno, spend night.
Fly out.
22 days of hiking, 4 nights in hotels inbound/outbound.
Plus 5 extra days, incase we feel like being slow or want to visit some of the NPs more indepth. Basically the whole month of August.

[Malto]

I have flown out of Reno after taking the bus up from Mammoth. When I did the JMT I started at TM hiked to Whitney, hitched to TM, drove to Yosemite Valley, took the shuttle to TM and then day hked TM to the Valley. While this looks convulted, it was the easiest for us logistically.

The bus up Owens Valley is quite acceptable. It takes a while but it's a pretty long way. You shouldn'y have trouble hitching from Whitney Portal, talk to folks in the parking lot.

As far as resupply, I only used MTR and we grabbed a meal at Reds. If I were to do it again starting at the valley then I would use TM, Reds and MTR. There is enough at Reds to get by to get to MTR. IMHO, VVR is a pain to get to, very sore subject for me since I had to do the hike around the lake on my PCT hike. It was also only a day away from Reds (we did a fast hike) and MTR was very convenient. It also helps that it's a day south of VVR, it makes the last carry that much easier. We were easily able to carry the remaining days food out of MTR without resupply. It didn't fit in the bear canister but it doesn't need to fit until you pass over Pinchot Pass. Just bring a bear hang and know how to do it right.

I would not do Onion Valley. I have done Kearsarge several times in the winter on snowshoe trips and it will cost you a day plus what you spend in town. May be worth it for you though.

Have fun, it's a great trip.