Folks, Bigfoot is doing us all a tremendous favor with this video. This is easily THE most helpful and important video to watch if you ever plan to hike the JMT. Thank you so much Bigfoot for all you do for the hiking community :-)
Bigfoot! This is the video I have been looking for man! So very informative, thorough, to the point! This will help us for our trip on the JMT in August. If you don’t mind me asking, about how many miles were you logging a day? To go 120 miles without a resupply is amazing. Do you happen to have an itinerary laid out at all? We have 20 days dedicated to the trail, and based off the section, I feel like we can get between 12 to 15 miles a day done. Maybe even press out to that 17-18 miles a day possibly. My biggest fear is just not gauging I resupply points correctly, so any advice outside of that is extremely grateful. Thanks again brother!
Very helpful video. I'm planning my JMT through hike for next year now. I just came off the North Lake/South Lake loop which included some mileage on the JMT. Your video answered a lot of questions I had on resupply. I also just got Elizabeth Wenk's book "John Muir Trail", which I recommend for anyone contemplating a through hike. Thanks again.
There is another option for Independence, which makes things easy though it is not cheap, which is the Mt. Williamson Motel. For $185 you get a ride to and from town, night at the hotel, a load of laundry and breakfast. Not cheap, but it is all in one and makes things easy, if you are getting food at Independence. Going from VVR to Whitney portal with one bear box is not for the faint of heart. A bear box will generally hold about 5 days of food, which means 6 days of hiking. VVR to Whitney portal is 125 miles and 27,000 feet of ascent according to google, which means you must do ~21 mile and 4,500 feet of ascent per day on average. It can be done, but unless you are an experienced backpacker, I would not recommend it. MTR to Whitney portal is 108 miles and 23,000 feet of ascent, meaning in 6 days it is 18 miles and 3,800 feet of ascent, making it far more reasonable for most hikers, but it is a lot to pay for the 20 miles between VVR and MTR. I would say, if you are going to do MTR, you can likely skip VVR. Yes, $80 is a lot, but it could be your only paid for resupply. If you do the free Tuolumne resupply and are going at a good rate, you start with 2 days of food (3 if you are doing side trips), then resupply at Tuolumne for MTR which is 75 miles or 4 days and if you are buying hot food at Reds, more like 3 days. Then spend the money at MTR with a 6 day resupply.
Good info. I thought the food at the VVR cafe was much better than Reds Meadow. If I were doing the JMT south bound, knowing what I know now, I would resupply at VVR and top off at MTR from the hiker buckets for the last 5 to 7 days (100 miles). I shipped a resupply to MTR my first time because I didn't know just how plentiful the food was in the hiker buckets or just how nice the people are at VVR. I certainly enjoyed the hot spring across the river at MTR though I had to search around for it a bit my first time. Also, if you aren't a "purist" and just want to have a good hike, I think the views from Goodale Pass are better than from Silver Pass, but that may be just because Goodale Pass was something new to me this year.
Passing through JT on my PCT trip I carried 7 days of food on every re supply that’s 140 miles you shouldn’t have any trouble. Skip reds meadow there’s a bus every 15 min to town maybe 15 min away . Better food half the price. Why get a male drop in Mammoth when you can go yourself? No joke when you see how fast the bus gets you there you will laugh 🤣. Oh yes the town trolley is free. Tip VVR is awesome because everyone gets way to much stuff or is bailing out was given so much free food . Just talk to people at tables they’re happy to give you their excess supply’s . Just to be strait I had a great budget no expense spared did not need any help just to watch people shovel great dehydrated food into buckets was silly, And VVR doesn’t want the hassle to have hiker boxes. When I was at VVR absolutely no lodging only for guest of ranch. And last but the best JTM is awesome I rented the yurt the food is awesome and PST hikers get a free beer when you arrive. I being a PCT guy I was going north bound. I went out at golden trout got a ride into Bishop an and hired a ride back.
I wanted to fact check the Yosemite Food lockers. I believe that the locker rules change at different lockers, but there are some where you can store food from up to 14 days. This is critical for people who drive to Yosemite to do backpack and have food they can't leave in the car. I believe this is allow at the boxes near permit station in Tuolumne. You need to put your name and the date you will get the box by, if you don't the rangers should tag it with a date then remove it a week or so later. Though, honestly, a flat rate box may be easier.
That's correct and that's what I did. Only the backcountry bear boxes don't allow you to stash a resupply, but at the trailheads where there is tons of space there is. I verified with the Rangers first and they said as long as it has a pickup date marked on it and that date doesn't pass, my resupply would be there when I arrived.
Yes, it is the most informative videos about resupplies on JMT. Bigfoot, few questions please. How many days it took you from MTR to Mt Whitney? How much food (for how many days)you carried on this stretch? Daily miles please? Thank you in advance for information and knowledge you teach brother. Btw. I will have same setup as you. Hexamid w/nano bug net, and uberlite but i cut a 1/4 of zlite sol for backrest on my nero and use that for extension. Thanks again to you for that info you getting cold. And i bring a gossamer gear foam pad under my uber lite/and test run if im be ok with just that foam pad.
Hi BF! How much time did it take you to get from YV to Tuolumne Meadow's and from TM to Red's Meadows? I'm planning to have a 1.5 Day food from YV to TM but I don't know if that is too little, I know from YM to Red's Medow it takes around 5 days to get, so I guess a 3 day worth food would do the trick from Tuolumne Meadow's to Red's Meadow? Thanks for the advice man, love your vids!
@Follow Bigfoot question for you. Where did you get the information that mules are used in the resupply chain at MTR? Trying to confirm that and can’t find anything. Thanks, buddy.
Red's Meadow Mule House Cafe really sticks it to you huh? 1 pancake for 4.25, oatmeal 5.95... that's crazy. I need to open up a hotdog stand there so I can retire in 5 years lol. If you don't mind me asking, what did the whole hike by itself cost (minus the cost of getting there and everything)? Just trying to get an idea of the cost.
this is great video! I wrote you on IG with a couple questions but not sure if you check it so I'll ask here -- are there wall outlets to recharge at Red's, VVR, MTR?
Bigfoot, do you remember seeing string cheese or any type of cheeses in the resupply locations? I am having cheese for some of my lunches, but am worried about it staying ok in resupplies especially the MTR resupply. Did you pack any cheeses or see any in the resupply locations along the JMT, specifically Reds or MTR?
When you planned your hike, did you take into consideration that doing the hardest (longest) no resupply at 1st? And having a lighter pack weight at the end?
Hi! Important question. I'm going to hike nobo from horseshoe meadows. I'm considering just resupplying at MTR. Is the store good enough to do this??? I estimate 120 miles, approx 7 days. After that I can get next at tuolumne. I'm not planning to go off trail or not sending a package. What do you think???
I didn’t go to MTR, but I heard the store is minimal, not enough to resupply. However, the hiker box can be packed with leftover food and you likely could create a resupply from that.
Please do not take items out of the hiker boxes unless you need them. Save the food for PCT hikers who are out for 4 plus months if you already have enough food.
100 miles with 27 lbs of food sounds like a lot, so I have a couple questions; 1. Did you have to use multiple bear canisters, or just go ultra Tetris in one? 2. What allowed you to succeed doing a single resupply? Was it lots of miles, rationing, high density nutrition? I’m going sobo and this will be my first thru hike, resupplying is a new challenge.
Folks, Bigfoot is doing us all a tremendous favor with this video. This is easily THE most helpful and important video to watch if you ever plan to hike the JMT. Thank you so much Bigfoot for all you do for the hiking community :-)
+KV Adventures Thank you so much KY, I’m humbled by your comment.
I agree! This has been my greatest anxiety for planning my 2018 hike. You have made a lot of things clearer with this video. Kudos!
X3 thank you! Jmt 2022
Bigfoot!
This is the video I have been looking for man!
So very informative, thorough, to the point!
This will help us for our trip on the JMT in August.
If you don’t mind me asking, about how many miles were you logging a day?
To go 120 miles without a resupply is amazing.
Do you happen to have an itinerary laid out at all?
We have 20 days dedicated to the trail, and based off the section, I feel like we can get between 12 to 15 miles a day done. Maybe even press out to that 17-18 miles a day possibly.
My biggest fear is just not gauging I resupply points correctly, so any advice outside of that is extremely grateful.
Thanks again brother!
Very helpful video. I'm planning my JMT through hike for next year now. I just came off the North Lake/South Lake loop which included some mileage on the JMT. Your video answered a lot of questions I had on resupply. I also just got Elizabeth Wenk's book "John Muir Trail", which I recommend for anyone contemplating a through hike. Thanks again.
There is another option for Independence, which makes things easy though it is not cheap, which is the Mt. Williamson Motel. For $185 you get a ride to and from town, night at the hotel, a load of laundry and breakfast. Not cheap, but it is all in one and makes things easy, if you are getting food at Independence.
Going from VVR to Whitney portal with one bear box is not for the faint of heart. A bear box will generally hold about 5 days of food, which means 6 days of hiking. VVR to Whitney portal is 125 miles and 27,000 feet of ascent according to google, which means you must do ~21 mile and 4,500 feet of ascent per day on average. It can be done, but unless you are an experienced backpacker, I would not recommend it. MTR to Whitney portal is 108 miles and 23,000 feet of ascent, meaning in 6 days it is 18 miles and 3,800 feet of ascent, making it far more reasonable for most hikers, but it is a lot to pay for the 20 miles between VVR and MTR. I would say, if you are going to do MTR, you can likely skip VVR. Yes, $80 is a lot, but it could be your only paid for resupply.
If you do the free Tuolumne resupply and are going at a good rate, you start with 2 days of food (3 if you are doing side trips), then resupply at Tuolumne for MTR which is 75 miles or 4 days and if you are buying hot food at Reds, more like 3 days. Then spend the money at MTR with a 6 day resupply.
Thank you! I haven't seen or read anything else that is as vital or clear about JMT resupply!
Very informative to those thinking or taking on the JMT! Sharing knowledge is caring and your doing it right :)
+I walk alone ok Thank you👍👍
Thanks Bigfoot! Very informative, you even show the menus and prices at different places. This really helps with budgeting.
Thank you again! ALL of your videos are so informative and helpful...You speak so clearly and have a pleasant voice.. Excellent!
Fantastic advice. Thank you for doing so much research on this. Very helpful.
Feels like I just struck gold with this video. Thanks so much
Bigfoot, great video. Answered a ton of my resupply questions for the JMT.
How does Muir ranch treat their mules
Good info. I thought the food at the VVR cafe was much better than Reds Meadow. If I were doing the JMT south bound, knowing what I know now, I would resupply at VVR and top off at MTR from the hiker buckets for the last 5 to 7 days (100 miles). I shipped a resupply to MTR my first time because I didn't know just how plentiful the food was in the hiker buckets or just how nice the people are at VVR. I certainly enjoyed the hot spring across the river at MTR though I had to search around for it a bit my first time. Also, if you aren't a "purist" and just want to have a good hike, I think the views from Goodale Pass are better than from Silver Pass, but that may be just because Goodale Pass was something new to me this year.
+Michael Burgess Thanks Michael. Great point on topping off at MTR. I thought the food was better at VVR as well.
Are hiker buckets open to hikers who don't resupply at MTR? Does the staff question you?
Thank you very much for putting this together - very informative!
Passing through JT on my PCT trip I carried 7 days of food on every re supply that’s 140 miles you shouldn’t have any trouble. Skip reds meadow there’s a bus every 15 min to town maybe 15 min away . Better food half the price. Why get a male drop in Mammoth when you can go yourself? No joke when you see how fast the bus gets you there you will laugh 🤣. Oh yes the town trolley is free. Tip VVR is awesome because everyone gets way to much stuff or is bailing out was given so much free food . Just talk to people at tables they’re happy to give you their excess supply’s . Just to be strait I had a great budget no expense spared did not need any help just to watch people shovel great dehydrated food into buckets was silly, And VVR doesn’t want the hassle to have hiker boxes. When I was at VVR absolutely no lodging only for guest of ranch. And last but the best JTM is awesome I rented the yurt the food is awesome and PST hikers get a free beer when you arrive. I being a PCT guy I was going north bound. I went out at golden trout got a ride into Bishop an and hired a ride back.
Excellent! Thank you so much for the info and links!
No problemo!
Very detailed options. Thanks so much!
+Kim Rice You are very welcome!
I wanted to fact check the Yosemite Food lockers. I believe that the locker rules change at different lockers, but there are some where you can store food from up to 14 days. This is critical for people who drive to Yosemite to do backpack and have food they can't leave in the car. I believe this is allow at the boxes near permit station in Tuolumne. You need to put your name and the date you will get the box by, if you don't the rangers should tag it with a date then remove it a week or so later. Though, honestly, a flat rate box may be easier.
That's correct and that's what I did. Only the backcountry bear boxes don't allow you to stash a resupply, but at the trailheads where there is tons of space there is. I verified with the Rangers first and they said as long as it has a pickup date marked on it and that date doesn't pass, my resupply would be there when I arrived.
Yes, it is the most informative videos about resupplies on JMT.
Bigfoot, few questions please.
How many days it took you from MTR to Mt Whitney?
How much food (for how many days)you carried on this stretch?
Daily miles please?
Thank you in advance for information and knowledge you teach brother.
Btw. I will have same setup as you. Hexamid w/nano bug net, and uberlite but i cut a 1/4 of zlite sol for backrest on my nero and use that for extension. Thanks again to you for that info you getting cold. And i bring a gossamer gear foam pad under my uber lite/and test run if im be ok with just that foam pad.
Hi BF!
How much time did it take you to get from YV to Tuolumne Meadow's and from TM to Red's Meadows?
I'm planning to have a 1.5 Day food from YV to TM but I don't know if that is too little, I know from YM to Red's Medow it takes around 5 days to get, so I guess a 3 day worth food would do the trick from Tuolumne Meadow's to Red's Meadow?
Thanks for the advice man, love your vids!
On the Sobo trail, is it feasible to make it through the second half without resupply?
Excellent Video! Thanks for the info.
@Follow Bigfoot question for you. Where did you get the information that mules are used in the resupply chain at MTR? Trying to confirm that and can’t find anything. Thanks, buddy.
Muir Trail Ranch and the city of Mammoth Lakes are the bomb
Starting June 15th from happy isles!
Very helpful, thanks for sharing!
+MountainMuse Thanks MM!
Red's Meadow Mule House Cafe really sticks it to you huh? 1 pancake for 4.25, oatmeal 5.95... that's crazy. I need to open up a hotdog stand there so I can retire in 5 years lol. If you don't mind me asking, what did the whole hike by itself cost (minus the cost of getting there and everything)? Just trying to get an idea of the cost.
Good evening Bigfoot,
To clarify, is it 12 miles to the Bishop trailhead from the JMT, via Bishop Pass?
Thank you sir.
Great info!! plan on goin next yr
this is great video! I wrote you on IG with a couple questions but not sure if you check it so I'll ask here -- are there wall outlets to recharge at Red's, VVR, MTR?
Bigfoot, do you remember seeing string cheese or any type of cheeses in the resupply locations? I am having cheese for some of my lunches, but am worried about it staying ok in resupplies especially the MTR resupply. Did you pack any cheeses or see any in the resupply locations along the JMT, specifically Reds or MTR?
We did those mini wax wrapped cheese wheels and also sent them in resupplies. No issues.
Such good info!
When you planned your hike, did you take into consideration that doing the hardest (longest) no resupply at 1st? And having a lighter pack weight at the end?
+Danny Deakins Not at all. Knowing that I was going to be on the trail for 2 weeks, I was trying to just avoid spending the $80 at MTR.
Do you know if you can pick up resupply at Tuolumne Meadows on Saturday or Sunday?
hey matt did you find out the answer to this?
Yes, you can. There is a post office at Tuolumne
If someone meets you for a resupply drop, do they need to get a permit?
Hey, D, if they can get to you, and back to their trailhead starting point without having to camp overnight, then no, they don’t need a permit.
excellent video... thank you
Terrific Video!
Hi! Important question. I'm going to hike nobo from horseshoe meadows. I'm considering just resupplying at MTR. Is the store good enough to do this??? I estimate 120 miles, approx 7 days. After that I can get next at tuolumne. I'm not planning to go off trail or not sending a package.
What do you think???
I didn’t go to MTR, but I heard the store is minimal, not enough to resupply. However, the hiker box can be packed with leftover food and you likely could create a resupply from that.
@@FollowBigfoot if I understand, coming nobo, the MTR is the first location to resupply? What is the distance from MTR to VVR?
Please do not take items out of the hiker boxes unless you need them. Save the food for PCT hikers who are out for 4 plus months if you already have enough food.
Nice
100 miles with 27 lbs of food sounds like a lot, so I have a couple questions;
1. Did you have to use multiple bear canisters, or just go ultra Tetris in one?
2. What allowed you to succeed doing a single resupply? Was it lots of miles, rationing, high density nutrition? I’m going sobo and this will be my first thru hike, resupplying is a new challenge.