Need help solving a JMT logistical problem

[Aaron Madsen]

My boys and I are planning a SOBO JMT hike for next year, and while we plan on doing the whole thing, my dad and my wife would like to join us for a section of it. They both enjoy backpacking, but neither of them is interested in a 3 + week trek. I’ve never been on the trail, but have spent hours studying over maps and reading books. My concerns are several. I know permits will be a challenge, so if I can pick sections for them that would be easy to obtain a permit, that would be preferable. I also know that there are sections of the trail that some feel are more impressive than others. I’d like them to experience the best of the Sierra. My other concern is with the elevation knowing that we will already be acclimated, and they will not. They don’t need to do the same section of the trail. It would also be helpful as they could bring in our resupply.

Currently I am considering having one of them join us from MTR and exit at Kearsarge Pass, and have the other hike from Kearsarge to Whitney. Is there anything else I should be considering?

[Matthew / BPL]

MTR to Kearsarge is a logistical problem because of the west side to east side logistics.

Kearsarge to Whitney seems like a challenge because you will be very well acclimated and they will be struggling however this choice has the benefit of a small reaupply right at the end. This might allow you to leave MTR a couple pounds lighter.

What about having them do the North Lake to South Lake Loop? You’d meet them at the Piute Creek Bridge and then they’d bail out Bishop Pass. You’d be together at Evolution, Muir Pass and then the stinning descent from Muir Pass. This section was probably my favorite.

Rush Creek to Red’s Meadow might be another nice option. The lakes and views are pretty nice through there.

[Lester Moore]

The North Lake to South Lake Loop is a good suggestion from Matthew. If your parents have a few days to acclimatize before joining you (maybe day hiking around Mammoth), then you could have one join you at the bottom of Bishop Pass on the JMT, and another join you at Kearsarge Pass. Both the Bishop Pass and Kearsarge Pass options would be idea spots to pick up a small resupply package. That would keep your weight heading South out of MTR to a minimum for the rest of the trip.

[Aaron Madsen]

Thanks for the suggestions. Having one come in at Bishop pass and then swap places at Kearsarge would really help minimize the amount of food we have to carry. We plan to fish a lot, and so we don’t plan on pushing the pace. Rarely will we go more than 10 miles per day. I guess that my only concern would be their ability to cover the 13 miles to the JMT over Bishop pass in a day without adequate time to acclimate.

[Lester Moore]

Your acclimatization concern is valid Aaron. I’d say the Bishop or Kearsarge options would be very tough without acclimatizing for a few nights beforehand. If your dad and wife are coming from sea level, driving from the North, and have a few extra days, then how about the following schedule:

Day 1: Drive to Mammoth Lakes, camp for free in the National Forest just N of town along the Mammoth Scenic Loop road, or in a local campground (7500′ sleeping elevation).

Day 2: Drive to South Lake trailhead (or Onion Valley trailhead) and either camp at campground or hike in a few miles and camp (9500+ ‘ sleeping elevation).

Day 3: Start hike (going over Bishop or Kearsarge Pass at approx. 12,000′, but camping at 10,000’ likely that night).

[David Thomas]

Lester gives a good scenario for your dad and wife acclimatizing a bit prior to hiking by overnighting at reasonably high places.  Even just reading a book all day at 5,000-8,000 feet will help you once you start to hike.  If they have any flexibility prior to hiking, staying as high as they can, as long as they can will improve their experience and reduce the possibility of problems.  Living as I do on a beach, I joke that my acclimatization prior to a hike is at 33,000 feet on the jet (which is pressurized to 7500-feet density altitude) as I go on vacation.

As for, “My other concern is with the elevation knowing that we will already be acclimated, and they will not.” you can always shift loads around so the young, strong and acclimatized carry more of the weight.  It can be really helpful to be explicit about that in advance so someone doesn’t feel they’ve failed if they’re lagging and someone takes some of their weight.

[Matthew / BPL]

Let me throw out another idea:

The JMT is pretty long hike with semi-complicated resupplies and challenging permit situation. You are doing this hike with your boys. Grandpa and your wife would like to participate but maybe this just isn’t the right hike for it. It may be very challenging to be in the right spot in order to meet them on the right day at the right time. You should have the freedom to go slower or faster based on trail conditions, weather, food supply, blisters, sore knees, etc. Trying to coordinate with your father and wife in two separate locations sounds like a logistical nightmare. I’d hate to be in a situation where I’m trying to balance the needs of the boys versus Mom’s expectations about you being at the junction at noon 2.5 days from now. It just sounds really complicated.

If mom and grandpa don’t want to go hike 3 weeks maybe they should sit this one out. You can always come back and do the North Lake / South Lake or Rae Lakes Loop with them the following year.

How old are your kids? My son and I hiked the JMT in 2015 when he was 12. He did great and is very self-sufficient but I still had a lot on my plate, taking care of myself and him. I don’t think I would want to be responsible to anyone else during the trip.

YMMV of course!

[Matthew / BPL]

Another idea, posted separately because it is so different…

Starting the trip together might be the easiest way to include your wife and father. Everyone would acclimate together. The obvious problem would be getting permits going SOBO. Do you plan to start at Happy Isles? They could easily go from HI to Tuolumne Meadows and then take the bus back to the start point to get their car (I’m assuming they are driving).

That said, the hike out of the valley was crowded and hot and easily my least favorite part of the hike. I would never start there again. I’d rather start a SOBO trip in Tuolumne which means they could exit at Rush Creek or Red’s Meadow.

[jscott]

Mathew’s last suggestion solves a lot of issues. Or, maybe this: for acclimation, spend a night at Tuolumne; then hike the very flat Lyell canyon to just before the ascent to Donohue pass; camp. This gives you two days to acclimate (although you’re at 8700 throughout). Then continue on over Donohue, a not very difficult but scenic pass, and then it’s pretty much downhill/easy from there to Red’s Meadows. This is all very pretty, if somewhat crowded, terrain. Plus, the logistics of leaving two cars for a party that’s splitting up is relatively easy: just drive to Mammoth, leave a car, and drive back to Tuolumne. Or, there’s a bus service.

[Aaron Madsen]

Some more excellent thoughts. My boys will be 12 and 13 when we go. As to where we will start, I am a bit torn. I’d like to do the traditional route from HI, but I have day hiked from HI and it is anything but the wilderness experience that I am looking for. I’d also like a shot at the Cutthroat trout in Sunrise Creek. Logistically, hiking with them from Tuolumne Meadown to Reds makes the most sense, and I may be mistaken, but it’s not typically anyone’s favorite part of the trail. A separate trip the following year may be the best option, although there are so many other places I still want to go.

[jscott]

Aaron, I think you’ll be delighted with Tuolumne to Reds meadows. The approach to and backside of Donohue are spectacular; plus you’ll go past the famous 1,000 island lake (but maybe camp elsewhere, like at Davis lake to leave the crowds behind.) Maybe google some pics. Honestly, the trail from Donohue through the high lakes before the descent to Reds is pretty swell. Lyell ain’t bad either.

[Matthew / BPL]

My son and I loved the amble through Lyell Canyon. Donahue was fantastic. The lakes after Donahue were extremely picturesque although a bit crowded. We had a great campsite with Rosalie Lake all to ourselves. If I was doing SOBO from up north I would definitely want to walk through Lyell again.

[Author]

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