[pct-l] No resupply in Lone Pine?

[Bob Bankhead]

A Minor Correction:

Horseshoe Meadows campground is at 10,000 feet.
There are two routes to it from the PCT, almost 5 miles apart, and the
elevation drop/gain is quite different.

The first one reached going north is Trail Pass, at 10,500 feet.
It is 2.1 miles and 500 feet of gentle downhill with on-trail water.
I've taken this route both ways several times and highly recommend it.

The 2nd route is 4.8 miles further north at Cottonwood Pass; the Cottonwood
Pass Trail at 11,160 feet.
It is reportedly a shorter but much steeper 1,160 foot drop down to
Horseshoe Meadows.
I do not recommend returning to the PCT by this route.

I've not noticed hikers having any trouble getting a ride DOWN to Lone Pine,
assuming there are campers there when you are. Early season hikers could
find the Cottonwood Pass Road still blocked by snow and the campground
empty. Kennedy Meadows Store should know if that is so (and ditto for the
Onion Valley road). Getting a ride back UP is another matter. Most of the
traffic headed west out of Lone Pine is going to Whitney Portal on the main
road, which is joined by CP Road about 1 mile out of Lone Pine. There are
few cars on CP Road, but almost all are going up to the campground. The
shuttle service charged me $80 one way from the Mt Whitney Hostel in 2009.
Group rates were available but I was alone.

Good luck.