[pct-l] VVR Resupplly

[Brett Fisher]

Team No Hurries (Dances With Lizards, Blaze, and Backtrack) stopped at both Muir Ranch and VVR. Both were unplanned stops. Took us a lot longer to walk through the Sierra Mountains than we had planned. Steep passes, jaw-dropping scenery, photo ops, lakes for swimming, creeks for soaking feet in ... all contributing factors to a longer walk in the Sierra. So, we were low on food. John Muir Trail hikers assured us that there was plenty of food in the hiker boxes at Muir Ranch and VVR. If not, plan B was to go out a pass or hitch out from VVR and resupply in a town.

I would recommend stopping at both Muir Ranch and VVR.

Muir Ranch: Even if you are good on food, it's nice to supplement from hiker boxes. Or, if you have too much (food or bug spray or whatever), it's nice to donate to hiker boxes. From what I saw, JMT hikers carry way too much food. And by the time they are at VVR and Muir Ranch picking up resupplies, they don't really want to carry the extra. Bonanza for PCT hikers. Muir Ranch lets you refill your water at their spigot, and recharge your electronics. For a fee, you can also use their internet. Also, at Muir Ranch, you can hike over to the hot springs in the meadow for a good soak (the one outside the ranch boundaries). Note, however, there are no toilet facilities for hikers. Can't imagine how many catholes there are outside the ranch in the nearby woods ...

VVR: We took the Bear Ridge Alternate to VVR, which is about four miles on trail and another mile road walk to VVR (south of Lake Edison, not quite as long and steep of a descent as the PCT down to the ferry or the walk around the north side of the lake). Nice creek for water on this trail down as well. We took the detour to VVR because we really wanted a restaurant meal and to supplement again from the hiker boxes so no worries on food all the way to Red's Meadow. VVR is great. Jim, the owner, is hiker friendly (although this year he had some folks walk out on their tabs, and a destructive hiker incident - bad stuff that impacts all of us). Great hiker boxes. If the boxes are low, just wait for some JMT hikers to get their resupply. The boxes will fill up. IMHO, the store is so-so. Okay to supplement your rations, but not to resupply. Of course, you can buy ice cream and beer (or wine or soda) for hanging out time. (Note: We started the trail with high nutritional goals, but before long our first purchases at stores was always ice cream and beer). Great restaurant. This year, first beer for hikers was complimentary. They have a place for hikers to camp for free. Showers and laundry if you want. Outside the restaurant was a campfire area for hanging out and telling stories or lies with other hikers in the evening. The breakfast was huge. Had to take a nap after. Dances With Lizards got a free breakfast - the staff asked if anyone wanted to help with the dishes for a free breakfast. She did. We were going to walk the six miles on the north side of the lake back to the PCT and save the cost of the ferry. But got kind of late after breakfast naps, so we took the ferry. Pretty low water in the lake. Heard the ferry shut down soon after.

You can walk or take the ferry to VVR, get your package, and walk or catch the ferry back to the PCT in one day. But what's the rush? Relax for a bit. Enjoy your journey. (Advises a member of Team No Hurries).

Hope the personal experience helps answer your question, and your plans regarding VVR.

- Backtrack

On Oct 30, 2012 2:20 PM, "Daniel Zellman" <danielzellman at gmail.com> wrote:

Does anyone know if it's possible to resupply at Vermillion Valley Resort
without actually staying there? Is the ferry the only NON-HITCHHIKING route
to/from the resort? Is it possible to get off the trail, catch the ferry to
the resort, pick up a package, and catch the ferry back to the trail all in
one day?

Any words of wisdom from those who know the lay of the land would be very,
very much appreciated....

Thanks!

-dz