My wife and I hiked the JMT southbound in 2010, are considering a northbound hike this summer. We would like to split up the southern half, and resupply at Kearsarge Pass. I've read that there are bear boxes at the trailhead at Onion Valley, and I'm wondering if we could stash food there. I'd guess that it'd sit there for about a week before we picked it up. We'd rather not spend the time hitching into Independence.

We have put in for the Whitney lottery, but if we don't get it, we're going to hop on the PCT at Cottonwood Pass. This would make it almost 130 miles before reaching Muir Trail Ranch, which I think would be too much for us. In 2010, we did the stretch from MTR to Whitney Portal in one push: 8 days, so it's not totally impossible for us, but I think it'd be pushing it at the beginning of a trip, hence the resupply at Onion Valley.

What do you all think?

Mark