[pct-l] VVR hike-in options

[mark v]

The Bear Ridge Trail, entering VVR from the south, isn't bad at all.  Not as nice as the PCT above, but just fine.  The trail going north from VVR along Lake Edison is also just fine, but more of a pain in the butt because of the constant up and down, alongside the big lake, you'll get the sensation of it taking forever to hike it.

I haven't done Goodale Pass.  The JMT guidebook recommends it as a viable walk-in alternative.  If you haven't gone up to Silver Pass and Silver Pass Lake though, you'd be missing one of the real gems of the whole PCT.  Of course, the High Sierra is so full of gems that you might not mind missing one.  

So all in all, if i were to do the PCT again, i'd:

1) Swear up and down that THIS time (3rd time through here) i'm NOT stopping at VVR, no matter what.

2)  Upon approaching it, i'd be tired and hungry, and i'd stop there anyway, paying for the ferry and shilling out a lot of $$$, trying to not think about that.

3)  Leave the next morning and enjoy a slow day across Silver Pass. 

4)  Take the Cascade Valley Trail alternate to Red's Meadow, passing Ida Bell hot springs.

If i were doing the JMT southbound again, i'd send my resupply to Muir Trail Ranch instead, and since i'd be earlier on the trip, i'd probably have the willpower to skip VVR and be glad.  Either that, or just resupply at Red's and Independence, and skip BOTH of the west side resorts.