Lake Edison Ferry

My understanding is the VVR ferry is running currently, as their website states, they are running small boats, can take 4 hikers at a time. They run 945 am. A van meets the boat at the other end and drives to the resort. They do reccomend the easier trail routes, not sure why really, perhaps they think it will encourage people to come. They arent much easier,(800 ft less vertical) and they arent much shorter (2 miles = 40 minutes), and you miss 12 miles of JMT because of it, might not be amazing miles, but JMT nonetheless.

Also they are selling the ride out to the bear creek trailhead for $10.

I exchanged emails with VVR today. Asked about the ferry, he reiterated what the webpage says.

Well I'm going the bear creek route, if I can, because I'm guessing it will be the far more scenic route not because of speed or JMT purity. As far as I'm concerned the beer at VVR is crucial part of the JMT, and if the trail doesn't go through there, then they must just have made a mistake. Just reconnecting the dots the way it should have been. :-)

I have seen video of the switchbacks on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoAF2HeTGbM

and they do look nicely graded, but boring. Also I'm not a purist about the JMT. I have probably done %40 already in bits, and I'm starting on a completely different route, largely to avoid the people, especially (shudder) day hikers that like to throw themselves off of Nevada falls. Guess I'm an anti-purist.

Plus the lake is very likely to be dead when I get there at the beginning of September.

Marko…I am right there with you. Last time I did the JMT I think I actually spent more time off the JMT trail doing side trips in different basins and canyons. You wont regret going up the Bear Creek Trail… its really beautiful. In September things will definitely be very dry.

M B:
do you know if the ride they provide to the Bear Creek TH actually takes you to the TH or just to the Bear Creek Diversion Dam Rd?

Then I wonder if my friends ended up doing the bear creek ridge route…..

I'll +1 going to VVR no matter what. the place is awesome, the food is great, everyone was fun and it really was a nice experience overall.

Jennifer, I am with you. Our resupply box is already on its way to VVR. wouldn't miss it, great people!