2016 John Muir Trail: The 8 Mile-per-Day Hike

Following the experiences of our JMT hike in September 2015, this year we decided to try something different: shorter daily distances and more resupply points. The new schedule was based on an average of 8 miles per day, with resupplies at VVR, South Lake and Kearsarge Pass. Once again, our start point would be over Duck Pass from Mammoth Lakes, in order to avoid the Permit hassles of Yosemite, but with a finish at Cottonwood Pass and Horseshoe Meadow. No Whitney Portal Trail-Trash!

Our rationale for this changed schedule was driven by last year's JMT experience. It was in September, with reduced daylight, longer nights and only one resupply point [Muir Ranch] between Mammoth and Whitney Portal. Following a few weather delays, we were always behind schedule, and the heavy resupply load out of Muir Ranch was almost unbearable for two guys in their late 70's. However, we did make it to Whitney Portal, with some help from Ben Spillman, bringing snacks and fuel over Kearsarge Pass.

This year, the first three days to VVR were easy going, including the pleasant option of crossing Silver Pass on the JMT, instead of using Goodale Pass to walk into VVR. It'd been four years since Edison Lake had contained sufficient water to operate the VVR ferry from the JMT landing point. All very exciting and novel to once more pass Silver Lake, drop down the rock-face switchbacks to Pocket Meadow and descend Mott Creek to Quail Meadows and the VVR landing. Also different, the three of us [ Me, Bob Williams and Mike Fox] had spent the night before at Chief Lake, a nice change from the busy Squaw Lake or the limited Papoose Lake.

After two pleasant nights at VVR; busy with hikers even in this second week of September, we took the option of hiking the Bear Creek Cutoff and Bear Creek Trail back to the JMT, spending one night below the JMT intersection and the next at Rosemarie Meadow. Woke to a 25° morning with frozen water containers and tent flaps. Finally back on schedule the next night after hoofing it 11.4 miles down to a stealth campsite [Fallen Tree] along the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. Early the next morning we met up with Benjamin Spillman [Outdoor Editor of Reno Gazette Journal], who'd crossed over Piute Pass the previous day. Ben would travel with us for the next four days through the Evolution Valley and crossing the Muir and Bishop Passes.

On our way through the Evolution, we spent the first night at another of my stealth camps and then the next at Sapphire Lake [another first for me]. After crossing Muir Pass we made one last stop at Little Pete Meadow before heading out over Bishop Pass for the planned resupply. For a variety of reasons, a decision was made not to return to the JMT over Bishop Pass, but rather to drive south to Independence, stay at Strider's motel, leave a vehicle there and have Strider drive us to Onion Valley. At this juncture both Ben and Bob had returned home to Reno, leaving Mike Fox [from Australia] and me to complete the section over Kearsarge Pass, south to Horseshoe Meadow, a six day hike.

The first day over Kearsarge Pass and down to the Bullfrog Pond was done in very cold conditions and high wind. Overnight the temperature dropped to 18° ... once again, frozen water containers and split Sawyer Filter. Fortunately, the weather improved for the next five days, providing pleasant camping at the Forester High Camp, Tyndal Creek, Crabtree Meadow and Soldier Lake.

As arranged from Independence, "Lone Pine Kurt" arrived on time at Horseshoe Meadow to drive us back to Strider's Motel ... for a reasonable fee. You can find him at:
Lone Pine Kurt@aol.com or Cell: 661-972-9476

On the last night near Soldier Lake, I was bitten on th neck, while sleeping, by numerous large black ants [or spiders?] Due to infection, these bites took three weeks to heal ... taking powerful antibiotics.

See our actual: 2016 JMT Schedule

©2016 Peter Tremayne, Reno NV