[pct-l] JMT alt route

[Bob Bankhead]

It all depends on how much of the JMT he is willing to miss.

To get the maximum JMT exposure without summiting Whitney, I'd recommend that he start at Horseshoe Meadows, taking the Cottonwood Pass Trail up to the PCT, and meet you at Guitar Lake (25 miles), You two could then continue north on the JMT. 

Unless you want to resupply at Onion Valley, there is really no reason for you to detour off the JMT and climb Kearsarge Pass twice. Have him meet you at one of the Kearsarge Lakes on the west side of Kearsarge Pass. I would recommend either Upper KL #2 or Upper KL #1 as both have bear boxes. He could also bring in whatever food you needed to make it to your next supply point. This would reduce the food load you have to carry up the steep eastern slope of Whitney.

I would avoid trying to meet at Charlotte Lake as the campsites are scattered and it can be hard to find someone there if you don't know where to look. The Kearsarge Lakes are much nicer and less distance for him to travel with the extra food weight.

Wandering Bob


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ryan clark 
  To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:18 PM
  Subject: [pct-l] JMT alt route


  i have a friend that decided to join me for my NOBO JMT hike this  
  summer but unfortunately its past the whitney lottery date.
  do any of you have suggestions of where he can meet up with me on the  
  trail past whitney. im thinking the onion valley trail head would be  
  best since the distance from the trail isnt to far so we could time  
  the meeting a little more precise.