Getting to JMT area...

[rafe]

Ideas for getting on/off the PCT in this general neighborhood? It looks pretty remote. I see Reno off the N/NE, and Fresno off to the W.

Estimated travel time from either of these cities? Shuttles, buses? Other ideas?

Any issues with this section for a first-time PCT hike?

Clarification: I'm thinking specifically of the King's Canyon/Sequoia National Park section of the PCT.

[MOWGLI]

From Oakland, take the Amtrak to Merced. From Merced, take the YARTS to Yosemite. Here's a link for more info and options including Reno;

http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~rbell/JohnMuirTrail.html

[rafe]

Thanks, Mowgli. I should have been clearer. I'm thinking more of the King's Canyon/Sequoia N.P. section of the PCT.

[MOWGLI]

Wilderness Press has a great new JMT book. It's the best book on the trail IMO. Going north or south? How many days/miles?

[MOWGLI]

From Bishop, CA you can access the Piute Pass Trail, which will get you to the point on the JMT where you enter Kings Canyon NP. The trail is 17.6 miles and takes you over 11,400' just to reach the trail. Another option is the Florence Lake Trail, but I don't have much info on that. Permits required.

[rafe]

Wilderness Press has a great new JMT book. It's the best book on the trail IMO. Going north or south? How many days/miles?

The locale for the hike is completely undecided at this point. I've been to the Tahoe area several times, so I was thinking of something different for this hike. We probably have time for 5-7 days of hiking. I'm budgeting, say, 24-36 hours travel time on either end -- from front door to trailhead. I'd be coming from Boston, my nephew from Honolulu.

[fiddlehead]

Shepherds pass trail gets you there too. But it's a long uphill. (i believe it's around 6,000' climb (to the pass which is near Forester) but pretty direct considering it gets you right into the heart of the good stuff) I hiked it once, gotta love those big climbs.

It's a lot easier getting permits for these less popular trailhead access points. (at least it used to be, haven't hiked there for 6 or 7 years now)

I'd fly to Reno and get a bus to Lone Pine or Independence.
(or just call my brother in Tahoe to come get me)

[jafrost]

A good book to take is "Guide to the John Muir Trail" by Thomas Winnett and Kathy Morey. Lots of info on getting on and off and resupply options. Consider buying the complete JMT 5-map set. Several shuttles are available between Yosemite and south of Lone Pine, and from Fresno to King's Canyon; check the internet.

You'll need a permit wherever you start from. If you are planning to enter or exit through Whitney Portal, you'll need a special permit for the "Whitney Exclusion Zone." The application period for Zone permits starts right about NOW and is hard to get. The Zone is included with the permit if you start elsewhere. If you decide to start at Yosemite, consider a side trip up to the top of Half Dome. It only adds about a half day and the view is great. Good luck.

[jafrost]

A good book to take is "Guide to the John Muir Trail" by Thomas Winnett and Kathy Morey. Lots of info on getting on and off and resupply options. Consider buying the complete JMT 5-map set. Several shuttles are available between Yosemite and south of Lone Pine, and from Fresno to King's Canyon; check the internet.

You'll need a permit wherever you start from. If you are planning to enter or exit through Whitney Portal, you'll need a special permit for the "Whitney Exclusion Zone." The application period for Zone permits starts right about NOW and is hard to get. The Zone is included with the permit if you start elsewhere. If you decide to start at Yosemite, consider a side trip up to the top of Half Dome. It only adds about a half day and the view is great. Good luck.

[chris]

Fly into Reno, then catch a Crest bus to Independence/Lone Pine/Whatever town you want go to. You'll then need to hitch up to the trailhead of your choice. You can also catch a CREST bus from Ridgecrest, if that is more convenient for you.

Here is some more info:

http://www.countyofinyo.org/transit/transit.htm

http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~rbell/JMTTransport.html

[RandomTroll]

I have changed the name of
http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~rbell/JMTTransport.html (http://alumnus.caltech.edu/%7Erbell/JMTTransport.html)
to

http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~rbell/JMTTransport.html (http://alumnus.caltech.edu/%7Erbell/JMTTransport.html).gz

russell bell