[pct-l] resupply Muir v. VVR

[Marion Davison]

Bob Bankhead wrote:
> Radar makes an excellent point about timing.
>  
> Will the Sierra snow levels delay the opening of the more isolated 
> traditional re-supply points (Muir Trail Ranch, Vermillion Valley 
> Resort, Red's Meadow)? It's far too soon to tell, but whoever is mailing 
> out your re-supply packages should keep checking on their status as the 
> shipping date nears. Personally, I'm planning to go out to Independence, 
> or at least down to the Onion Valley Pack Station, for a re-supply.
>  
If you are planning to use the OV pack station for support, make sure it 
is going to open for the season.  A few years ago it did not open during 
the summer.  I don't know if it is operational now.
> FYI, It is a long, winding, up-hill climb out of Red's Meadow to the 
> Mammoth Mtn ski area if the shuttle isn't running. As I  recall, there 
> are no shoulders on that road either; really dangerous if vehicle 
> traffic is present due to blind curves and the narrow road width. You 
> can avoid most of the road walk by taking the PCT up to Agnew Meadows 
> campground (you have to go there anyway unless you're taking the JMT 
> route) and then out the 1/4 mile spur road to the main road.
There is no need to road walk.  Plenty of trails lead from the Red's 
meadow area to trailheads on top.  The trails from Red's Meadow to 
Horseshoe Lake are all broad, heavily used and in good condition.  We 
take that walk several times each summer.
It is easy to get a ride from Horseshoe Lake to town if the shuttle 
isn't running.
You can get to town by crossing Duck Pass as well, leaving the trail 
near Duck Creek Crossing.  Trails leave the PCT at Upper Crater Meadow 
and Crater Meadow, go over Mammoth Pass and go on to Horseshoe Lake.You 
can take a trail from directly behind the Red's Meadow pack station, 
over Mammoth Pass, to Horseshoe Lake, should you walk all the way to 
Red's and find nothing operational there.

> I've stayed in Mammoth Lakes and agree with prior comments regarding the 
> hotel costs and quality of the restaurants. That said, it is a 
> full-service town, close to the trail, and has bus transportation to 
> Reno, Tuolumne Meadows, and highway 395 readily available.   
>  
> Wandering Bob
> 
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *Subject:* Re: [pct-l] resupply Muir v. VVR
> 
>     One thing to keep in mind that it is possible for thu-hikers to get 
>     to Red's Meadow before the store is open or fully stocked for the 
>     season.  I know that in 2004 we got there only a few days after they 
>     opened (June 20) and that was a low snow year.
> 
>     Mammoth Lakes is one of the few trail towns with a full-service 
>     outfitter.  It is a good stop to consider if you need to swap out or 
>     replace gear.
> 
> 
>     Radar
> 
> 
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