Gemini's JMT 07 trip plannin' thread

“ya think phil?
i was figurin 1 day from onion valley to charlotte lake, then 4 days to whitney portal for an average of about 10 miles per day.
does that sound a little too optimistic for my oopma loompa legs and east coast lungs?
it'd be nice to meet the legendary phil and other left coast TTers

jack,
i wouldn't return that bvault just yet, i'd make a phone call to california first. (and then tell me what you find out, hehehe)”

“hey, where are north lake and south lake?”

“sacco...let ME say it like this. I thought those uhmm... 3 miles to Forester could be done in a couple hours. hahahaha! NO! There was a lot of knee deep snow, and it's wasn't the easiest thing I have ever done. Wasn't the hardest thing, but def. not the easiest.

There was also an area after Forester that I had a hard time figuring out what direction to go because the trails were all covered. That maybe easy for someone knowing the area, but it did take some time for me.

But I think you also have to consider that you are not with a large group, so that could make it easier. Personally I didn't have no breathing problems at that point.

I also agree with Sacco, seams like they keep updating their requirements all the time, same as for permits. I think it's best someone will call. Just to make sure ya know!”

“Darn Tootin I'm excited! Ever since I saw Bucks Pics I've wanted to go.

I should know after the first of the year. It's usually a seniority thing but It never has been a problem before.”

“darn tootin?
you are not gonna toot all day long are you?”

“Thats southern slang for "You bet your A$$!"”

“wannabp: No, I haven't made any north vs. south decisions yet - I'm still trying to get some kind of answer out of my brother-in-law. I'm starting to think I will plan (i.e., apply for permits) assuming both itineraries, then just pick one whenever he says yay or nay (or even part yay, which is also a possibility). I will probably email you sometime within the next few weeks with more specific updates on my plans. Heck, I might even show up at Winterfest, and we could discuss then if you're there.

Oh, and TOPO does indeed take elevation gain and loss into account in the mileage - in fact, it shows both: the strictly horizontal mileage if you hover the mouse over a route in plan view, and the "real" mileage if you're in the profile view.”

“Gem, knee-deep snow??

That's like, ankle-deep on me, right?”

““hey, where are north lake and south lake?”

North Lake and South Lake are on the eastern Sierras out of Bishop, CA. They are both accessible by car (and relatively close together for easy car shuttling). Many backpackers make this loop. Coming in over Piute Pass to join the JMT then going south to Leconte Ranger Station and exiting over Bishop Pass to South Lake. It is about 15-16 miles from North Lake to the JMT and it climbs sharply from around 9200ft to about 11300ft. The trail to/from South Lake is equally impressive. It starts at the JMT at about 8500ft and climbs to Bishop Pass over 12000ft in about 5 to 6 miles. From there South Lake is about 5 miles dropping about 2000ft.”

“muchos gracias for such a detail explan, larryb”

“hmmmm...

you've got my attention with your so called north-south lake loop, phil.

on one hand i was hoping to do whitney, but i've heard some awesome things about evolution valley and the golden fishing in that area...

the mileage might be more enjoyable for the amount of hiking days available and i'd get get more fishin in that way.

how soon do you think you'll start tightening up your plans, phil?”

“larrybB, et. al,

got any suggestions for car camping spots/campgrounds off 365?
i was thinking onion valley, but really have no clue. i'll be driving in from vegas and i want to stay for a couple nights at a decent elevation before hiking in.”

“hey gem, you got mail....

thanks”

“Thanks for the Topo! info, Bowlder. I never knew that. Winterfest is still a 'maybe' for us.”

“i will be starting at Yosemite Valley and hiking to Whitney Portal. i am not used to hiking at elevation coming from the midwest so i felt this was the best way to ease myself into the trip.”

“looks like all of us start at Yosemite.”

“This past summer a couple of buddies of mine joined the JMT from Onion Valley. I believe they hiked in a couple of miles to one of the first lakes and camped overnight before taking on Shepherd's Pass. There are car camping facilities though. I'll ask them about it and report back.”

“sacco, If you take the Onion Valley Road west out of Independence, CA you will come to the Shepherd's Pass trail head. There is a car camp there. You need to make reservations for it though. Here is a link: http://www.reserveamerica.com/ca/Onion_Valley/Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?subTabIndex=0&agency=NRRS&parkId=303

The elevation of this camp is over 9000ft so it should provide some good acclimation for you. Like I said earlier though, if you don't want to pay the "ReserveAmerica" fees then you can just hit the trail and camp at one of the lakes along the trail. The best lake to camp at is Matlock lake. It is about 2 miles in (or I should say up) about 1/4 of a mile from the trail. Even though it is only 2 miles, it is over a 1000ft climb so you may be better off camping one night at the car camp.”

“sacco,

I need to make a correction. The Onion Valley trail goes over Kersarge Pass to join the JMT not Shepherds Pass. Sorry for the confusion.

LB”

“gotcha LB, thanks.

normally i'd prefer to hike a mile or so in and get away from car camping crowds but i think it's the way to go for my purpose this time.
i want to hang out for a couple days to acclimate, during that time we'll probably want easy access to drive into town and also spend at least 1 day horseback riding.

it looks like there's a bunch of places along 395 that'll do, just wondering if any places are nicer than some others.

still undecided where i go in from onion valley, north/south lake, or somewhere else.”

“I wanna see you ride one of these, Sacco.

”

“dude, i've been slowly, gently trying to wear down chrissy to let me get a couple llamas.
no dice yet, but i've got nothin but time...”

“Most hikers who enter at Onion Valley take the JMT south to Whitney and they exit at Whitney Portal.

This is either a car shuttle back to Indepence/Onion Valley or you can pay a shuttle service to pick you up.

There is a couple named Skip and Kitty who run a great shuttle service. They will even shuttle you from Whitney Portal all the way to the west side of the Sierras (Sequoia) for High Sierra Trail hikers. There number is toll free (888) 313-0151. I have used them twice now and they are very reliable.”

“LB, whatcha think the shuttle cost would be from whitney portal to onion valley?”

“Onion Valley to Whitney Portal would be about $80. They can carry up to 7 backpackers in their Ford Excursion with a small trailer for packs. The prices could change somewhat by next summer depending on gas prices.

Actually the best thing to do is to arrange for them to pick you up at Whitney Portal and shuttle you to Onion Valley at the beginning of your trip. You can also pick up your permits at the Forest Service Vistor Center at the south end of Lone Pine before you drive up to the Portal. You leave your car at Whitney Portal then it's there for you when you come out after your trek. You won't have to back track to Onion Valley to get your car.”

“I GOT MY MAPS TODAY!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!”

“Incidently:
That shuttle cost is $80 total. It is not per person. Its the same regardless of the number of riders.”

“and what you think? much better maps huh?
anyone starting adding up the money we each need for this trip?

like shuttle, resupply, etc...”

“damn straight... sherpas aren't cheap you know!”

“If you're looking for places to acclimatize and have the time; Little Lakes Valley, out of Tom's place between Bishop and Mammoth. The trail starts at 10,000' and is very pretty.
Going south is Big Pine. The trail starts a lot lower but you'll be able to see a real glacieral lake.
And of course there are a number of trails out of Whitney Portal.

If you're worried about altitude sickness, as most of seem to, make sure you carry some Tamamet (sp) an antiacid that really helps.”

“Someone say Llamas?


This sucka had to carry my pack, heh heh!!!

last edited: 12/07/06 9:43:18 PM”

“Wass hapn' Cap'n!”

“Capn Bobo don't luv me anymore”

“Dees Gaby Ees Kaput!

NEXT!!!!!”

“Awesome maps. good thing they are waterproof as I was drooling over them. I've already located the first half of the trips camping locations and food drop locations.”

“Jack Straw,

Has anyone warned you about Gemini???”

“you were just saying to Gem how great it would be to hike with me.”

““and what you think? much better maps huh?
anyone starting adding up the money we each need for this trip?

like shuttle, resupply, etc...”


Still a JMT backpack is the cheapest 2 to 3 week vacation you will ever take!”

“bobo...be nice! Jackstraw already met me, so he knows I am a nice older German Lady.

I know it's a cheap vacation.
I really just wanted to know.”

“bobo, next time i see ya i'm gonna have to hear all about your llama trip.”

“i was thinking about driving but i think i am going to fly to sacremanto and bum a ride to/from the hike from a friend of mine in roseville. i can probably talk him into joining me at the start and end of the hike. i just might be able to arrange for a resupply from him as well but i suspect that's hoping for too much.”

“yo harry,

which bearvault ya got?

the newer models of the BV350 and BV400 are A-O.K., other older models are persona non-grata along parts of the JMT, which must be what larryB was refering to(?)

check it out:

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:WGXKH14zkOAJ:www.bearvault.com/bearvault_productnotices.php+bearvault&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2

the link also talks about those 2005 break-ins and free upgrades if you got some of the older ones”

“I got the BV350. almost bought the 300, then I said S$#t the 350 only $10 more.”

“after further rewiew...

this is weird, the page i just posted is from bearvault saying the 350 and 400 are ok. they also link to SIBBG page. the SIBBG page says that no bearvaults are ok, and provide a link back to that same beavault page for more info!

somebodies got sum splainin to do!
last edited: 12/08/06 12:07:48 PM”

“When you pick up your permit they day you enter the wilderness they will ask you about your bear canister. You may want to enquire ahead of time from the Inyo National Forest. (760)873-2483

I am not sure if everyone understands how and where to get permits but I will post a detailed explanation of this next time. One thing though. Even if you are exiting at Whitney Portal, you do not need to get in the Feb. lottery for permits. You DO have to get an exit permit for the Whitney Portal trail though. You only need to get into the lottery if you are starting your trip on the Whitney Portal trail. (more to come)”

“permit: I understood that you can get permits up to 24 weeks in advance if you start at Yosemite. You can not get whitney excit permits in advance [is that the stamp?].

is that correct? or am I missunderstanding this?”

“When we hiked the JMT in 05 the only thing needed was the initial permit for the entire trip we picked up at Yosemite . . . no Whitney stamps or exit permits . . . unless things have changed since that time. When you get as far as Whitney the rangers can tell . . . without asking . . . who the thru-hikers are . . . :) I applied for the permit online on the first day possible because those permits (starting from Yosemite) go quickly. I would advise you do the same. You have to get your permit from your point of entry.

Also, you can make the trip as expensive or cost as little as you like . . . at least the things that can be controlled along the way. My bill at Vermillion Valley Resort alone was $200 (food, ferry, and lodging). Food, in general, is going to be more expensive than your local eatery because of the difficulty in getting supplies to these backcountry locations. But everywhere we ate the food, and portions, were very good.

If you can afford it I would strongly recommend the Berikade. I have the weekender model and it worked fine for the trip. Jenni had one of the Bear Vault models and had a problem opening it one cold morning. It took 45 minutes of trying before Francois finally put his golden touch to open it. We thought the problem could have been from sitting on it the previous evening.

If you are following the same schedule I did, be aware we did make some changes on the trail, and I would highly recommend those same changes for planning purposes. The changes we made are in the trip report. If you have any specific questions you are welcome to email me . . . just put JMT or something like that in the subject line so it does not get trashed.”

“gforce, regarding the bvault lid- i think they mention on the website something about upgrading the lid cause of such reported problems.”

“gforce, You are correct, by getting your JMT permit from Yosemite you are covered for the entire route encluding exiting at the Portal.

For those people entering at points along the way then they have to get a permit that includes an exit permit for the Mt. Whitney trail. The fee for the reservation which includes Whitney exit is $15. per person.”

“Hey Gem, I got my third week vacation requested. I now have July 15th through August 5th or 6th.”