So since it's hard to find hikable mountains over 19,341 feet, I decided to try to do the entire JMT next year. It'll also a bit cheaper than Kilimanjaro was.
I'm looking at a 3 week itinerary, but that will all be up how my body holds up over 211 miles. Probably do it in August.
For resupply, Red Meadows is a given.
Is the John Muir Ranch or resupplying at Kerserage Pass better (or both)? Vermilion Valley Ranch looks like it's too close to Reds Meadow to really be worth stopping.
Looks like Sequoia Kings Pack Trains provide resupply to the JMT. I'm undecided about exiting Onion Valley to get a real shower/rest/resupply or just getting a resupply brought in. Anyone have any experience/suggestions?
So when does the JMT Rolling Lottery Application window open? Since they let you list multiple dates in the lottery, the regular 168 day window doesn't seem to make sense and (
https://yosemite.org/jmt-rolling-lottery-application/) doesn't mention a date other than the office opens on Nov 18th.
I assume the exit pass for Donohue Pass includes the Happy Isle trailhead permit as part of the lottery? The web information seems to imply that, but it's not 100% clear. Trying to get the entry trailhead reservation separate from the Donohue Pass would seem impossibly hard.
For rest days at Red Meadows or John Muir Ranch, my concern is making reservations for a real bed would be prone to me getting to those spots early or later than planned. Besides doing multiple day reservations (if I can get them), do they usually have free beds for thru hikers? I guess at Mammoth Lakes, I can always find some something last minute in the town.
Any other good web resources for planning (I checked out
https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/john-muir-trail/ and the various resupply links)?
I'm going to have to relearn to carry all my own gear after Kilimanjaro's luxury of having porters carry most of my gear.
