Does anyone have any favorite campsites on the JMT?
Also are there any sites about 10 miles south of Red’s Meadow between Deer and Duck Creek?
jalanjalan
Great campsites
system
#2
We spent a rest day at Marie Lakes (just north of Selden Pass) instead of the usual Vermillion Valley Resort or Blayney Meadows layover. It remains one of my favorite spots.
You would have to describe what your idea of a great campsite is. Mine is usually around 10.5k - 11k, just below the tree line and has a lake or lakelet surrounded by alpine meadows. In that category I would include:
Two miles south of Donahue Pass
Lake Virginia
One mile north or south of Silver Pass
Marie Lakes
Evolution Lake
Unnamed Lakes two miles south of Muir Pass
Outlet of lower Palisade Lake
Three miles south of Pinchot Pass
Rae Lakes
We either camped at these spots, or wish we could have. Please note that these are fragile spots ecologically so find a site that is all gravel and avoid having an impact on the plants.
The area between Deer and Duck Creek is very dry, arid, and on a slope. There might be some places to camp, but I can’t remember any. I would recommend pressing on to Duck Creek.
Snowball
system
#3
Snowball
Please clarify the location of the site you reference which is “2 miles south of Donahue Pass”. I’ll be doing a JMT segment in Sept. and going over Donahue (after a side trip to the Peak). I’ll be ready for a great campsite on the south side of the Pass. Thanks!!
Sherpa Steve
system
#4
Sherpa Steve - if the snow melts, there are plenty of great sites south of Donahue. I was there about a month ago and there was a lot of snow/runoff/mosquitos in that area, but once the snow goes you’ll have just the sort of area that Snowball describes as ideal.
tumblina
system
#6
If you are willing to dry camp - load up and carry water to your campsite vice camping near a source - the possibilities are endless.
Top of the small hill SW of the lake on the Bighorn Plateau. 360 degree views of the Great Western Divide, Kings/Kern Divide and Sierra Crest.
Wright Lakes
The flat area after climbing out of Wallace Creek
Sandy Meadow (follow the southern creek down toward the Kern)
booger
system
#7
Does anyone know how this area is for bears? It’s about where we’ll end up the first night after our big resupply at VVR, and there will be extra food that we don’t want to share with our thumb-challenged furry friends. If Marie Lakes tends to have bears, we’ll push on to the pass, i guess.
markv
system
#8
I camped there for two nights this year (July 23 and 24th) and for one night three years ago (July 29th and we did not have bear canisters on that trip). We didn’t hear of or see any evidence of bears either time. It’s high enough (10,500 feet) to be above their “natural” forage zone (you may want to verify that last statement). The one thing I can state for sure is that Bear Valley is one of the most mosquito infested portions of the trail. However, they aren’t too bad at Marie Lakes. Nice spot, check out the rise to your left just before you cross the outlet (southbound).
Snowball
system
#9
I’m pretty much just stalling on posting my full journal, but while the hike’s still fresh in my memory, my favorite campsites were:
Sunrise High Sierra Camp, near the south end, well short of the buildings. (beautiful meadow, views, water faucet, toilet)
Anyplace in Lyell Canyon
The tarn on the north side of Island Pass (didn’t camp there, but would have liked to)
Ruby Lake (follow the use trail up the rise, and look for the “rock chairs.” canister your food and expect a visitor to be sniffing around at night)
Red’s Meadow (can’t beat the hot springs showers)
Silver Pass Lake (maybe prettiest part of the trail)
Evoloution Lake (south end, high up on the rise…great views)
LeConte Canyon, near the helipad and along the river, just up the Dusy Branch trail (ask the ranger for directions)
The last 1/3 of the trail had fewer memorable camps for us, maybe because we were pushing till dark each day and then just camping anywhere.
After Red’s, we were looking between Deer and Duck Creeks, and saw nothing flat…i’m glad we pushed further that day instead. Purple and Virginia Lakes are nice, and Silver Pass is great.
markv