JMT Resupply Options
The best part about the John Muir Trail are all the resupply option available to thru hikers. Since I hiked North to South this is organized and listed to reflect this travel plan. But if you are choosing to go South to North you could work this in reverse as well.
Northern JMT Re-supply Tactics:
Tuolomne Meadows: This is the first resupply stop coming up from Happy Isles in Yosemite. (about 24 miles from Happy Isles Yosemite)
If you are arriving at Tuolomne on a weekday, you can mail a package to the Tuolomne Meadows Post Office, keeping in mind that they close around 5pm. Send your packages with the following address:
Your Name
c/o General Delivery
Tuolomne Meadows Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Business Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00pm
Sat 9:00-12:00pm
Sun closed
Red Meadows: This is a perfect resupply if you don't want to get off the trail. You can send yourself a package to Red's Meadow Resort, for a small fee. Here is the PDF file you will need with all the detailed information. Red's Meadow also has a general store, a restaurant (I had the best blueberry pie and ice cream), and hot showers in the nearby campground.(I chose this for my first resupply and had great success) You can also have friends meet you here as well which will save you on the shipping costs and the fees involved with them providing this service to you. If you'd like to see what is left over in the "Hiker Barrels" then you might be able to go without, but I don't suggest this approach.
(about 58.7 miles from Happy Isles Yosemite)
Mammoth Lakes: From your arrival at Devil's Post-pile Campground, you can take a shuttle bus to Mammoth Lakes. In town there are grocery stores, drug stores, sporting goods. You can also mail yourself a package to the Mammoth Lakes Post Office.
Vermillion Vally Resort: VVR is a very user friendly and easy resupply. They cater to Pacific Crest trail and John Muir Trail through-hikers. There is a short hike off the JMT of about 5 miles (with the water levels as low as they are the fairy is not currently running) They have an extensive website which will give you updates and information on their fees. At Vermillion Valley Resort you will find an amazing array of conveniences, from hot meals to showers and laundry facilities. (about 87.6 miles to Edison lake junction from Happy Isles Yosemite)
Muir Trail Ranch: This is a great resupply location for JMT and PCT hikers. There is also a full ranch for those who want a day or two of R&R. They have an extensive website which will give you updates and information on their fees. At the ranch there will be about fifteen 5 gallon cans, just packed with food that others had left to share. If you weren't picky about what to eat, you could do a free resupply out of those bins! Across the river from the backpacker's area there are hot springs to enjoy, so plan to spend the night. You have to search for one that isn't muddy, but it's there, and it is pleasantly hot.
Southern JMT Re-supply Tactics:All of the JMT is in remote high-country, but once you get past the Muir Ranch, it gets really remote. If you are a fast hiker, you might be able to go from the Muir Ranch to Whitney Portal without an additional re-supply Some people do. However, if you’re an average hiker, it will probably take you about ten days of strong hiking. This is the highest, most rugged part of the JMT. In fact, it is the highest stretch of the whole Pacific Crest Trail. You will cross some very formidable passes and you will see fewer people. Carrying a ten day food supply might even slow you down and stretch your hike another day or two. Now you might need a 12 day food supply.
I chose to do two additional resupplies along this rout having friends join me along the trail. this might not always be an option.
The next several resupply possibility require any of the following:
1) Friends hiking food into you
2) Pack animals bring you resupplies
3) renting Lamas (this approach is for the hiker who does not want to carry their heavy loads the entire trail) I will absolutely be doing this when I am in my 70's and still want to fell the joy of hiking the JMT! (smiling)
Resupply using packstock:
This is know as a "dunnage drop" by the packers, this would simplify your logistics along the southern part of the JMT.
Rainbow Pack Outfitters: provides service over Bishop Pass and down to Le Conte Canyon. This is a two-day round trip for the packer. You can halve your costs by meeting the packers atop Bishops Pass.
PO BOX 1791
Bishop, CA 93515
760-873-8877 (pack station)
760-872-8803 (office)
760-873-7523 (fax)
Rainbow outfitters
Sequoia Kings Pack Trains: Provides service over Kearsarge Pass and down to the JMT at Charlotte Lakes junction.
PO BOX 209
Independence, CA 93526
800-962-0775
760-387-2797-760-387-2627 (fax)
Additional Pack Outfitters:
Sierra Pack Station
Rock Creek Pack Station
Minarets Pack Station
Potato Ranch Lama Packers: I recently discovered a Lama pack group that will rent these very easy to handle animals to you. This is a great option if you would like to walk the trail but don't feel you are strong enough to carry a full load. The Potato Ranch Lama Packers are the group to look into for this.
Greg Harford (Proprietor)
15025 Potato Ranch Road
Sonora, California 95370
(209)588-1707
Potato Ranch Lama Packers
Another option for resupply between Muir Trail Ranch and Whitney Portal is through the Mt. Williamson Motel. They are offering resupply both at Charlotte Lake and Kearsarge Pass. They also offer a shuttle service to hotel guests, which is very handy at either Onion Valley or Whitney Portal.
Northern JMT Re-supply Tactics:
Tuolomne Meadows: This is the first resupply stop coming up from Happy Isles in Yosemite. (about 24 miles from Happy Isles Yosemite)
If you are arriving at Tuolomne on a weekday, you can mail a package to the Tuolomne Meadows Post Office, keeping in mind that they close around 5pm. Send your packages with the following address:
Your Name
c/o General Delivery
Tuolomne Meadows Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Business Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00pm
Sat 9:00-12:00pm
Sun closed
Red Meadows: This is a perfect resupply if you don't want to get off the trail. You can send yourself a package to Red's Meadow Resort, for a small fee. Here is the PDF file you will need with all the detailed information. Red's Meadow also has a general store, a restaurant (I had the best blueberry pie and ice cream), and hot showers in the nearby campground.(I chose this for my first resupply and had great success) You can also have friends meet you here as well which will save you on the shipping costs and the fees involved with them providing this service to you. If you'd like to see what is left over in the "Hiker Barrels" then you might be able to go without, but I don't suggest this approach.
(about 58.7 miles from Happy Isles Yosemite)
Mammoth Lakes: From your arrival at Devil's Post-pile Campground, you can take a shuttle bus to Mammoth Lakes. In town there are grocery stores, drug stores, sporting goods. You can also mail yourself a package to the Mammoth Lakes Post Office.
Vermillion Vally Resort: VVR is a very user friendly and easy resupply. They cater to Pacific Crest trail and John Muir Trail through-hikers. There is a short hike off the JMT of about 5 miles (with the water levels as low as they are the fairy is not currently running) They have an extensive website which will give you updates and information on their fees. At Vermillion Valley Resort you will find an amazing array of conveniences, from hot meals to showers and laundry facilities. (about 87.6 miles to Edison lake junction from Happy Isles Yosemite)
Muir Trail Ranch: This is a great resupply location for JMT and PCT hikers. There is also a full ranch for those who want a day or two of R&R. They have an extensive website which will give you updates and information on their fees. At the ranch there will be about fifteen 5 gallon cans, just packed with food that others had left to share. If you weren't picky about what to eat, you could do a free resupply out of those bins! Across the river from the backpacker's area there are hot springs to enjoy, so plan to spend the night. You have to search for one that isn't muddy, but it's there, and it is pleasantly hot.
Southern JMT Re-supply Tactics:All of the JMT is in remote high-country, but once you get past the Muir Ranch, it gets really remote. If you are a fast hiker, you might be able to go from the Muir Ranch to Whitney Portal without an additional re-supply Some people do. However, if you’re an average hiker, it will probably take you about ten days of strong hiking. This is the highest, most rugged part of the JMT. In fact, it is the highest stretch of the whole Pacific Crest Trail. You will cross some very formidable passes and you will see fewer people. Carrying a ten day food supply might even slow you down and stretch your hike another day or two. Now you might need a 12 day food supply.
I chose to do two additional resupplies along this rout having friends join me along the trail. this might not always be an option.
The next several resupply possibility require any of the following:
1) Friends hiking food into you
2) Pack animals bring you resupplies
3) renting Lamas (this approach is for the hiker who does not want to carry their heavy loads the entire trail) I will absolutely be doing this when I am in my 70's and still want to fell the joy of hiking the JMT! (smiling)
Resupply using packstock:
This is know as a "dunnage drop" by the packers, this would simplify your logistics along the southern part of the JMT.
Rainbow Pack Outfitters: provides service over Bishop Pass and down to Le Conte Canyon. This is a two-day round trip for the packer. You can halve your costs by meeting the packers atop Bishops Pass.
PO BOX 1791
Bishop, CA 93515
760-873-8877 (pack station)
760-872-8803 (office)
760-873-7523 (fax)
Rainbow outfitters
Sequoia Kings Pack Trains: Provides service over Kearsarge Pass and down to the JMT at Charlotte Lakes junction.
PO BOX 209
Independence, CA 93526
800-962-0775
760-387-2797-760-387-2627 (fax)
Additional Pack Outfitters:
Sierra Pack Station
Rock Creek Pack Station
Minarets Pack Station
Potato Ranch Lama Packers: I recently discovered a Lama pack group that will rent these very easy to handle animals to you. This is a great option if you would like to walk the trail but don't feel you are strong enough to carry a full load. The Potato Ranch Lama Packers are the group to look into for this.
Greg Harford (Proprietor)
15025 Potato Ranch Road
Sonora, California 95370
(209)588-1707
Potato Ranch Lama Packers
Another option for resupply between Muir Trail Ranch and Whitney Portal is through the Mt. Williamson Motel. They are offering resupply both at Charlotte Lake and Kearsarge Pass. They also offer a shuttle service to hotel guests, which is very handy at either Onion Valley or Whitney Portal.