Is the magic lost if I don't go in order?

imported
#1

I’m getting jazzed about doing the whole JMT over two weeks off work this August.

Considering the timing, starting a bit easier, not having a permit until I get there, and the YARTS bus schedule it seems most practical to get a ride to Tuolumne on Saturday, dayhike to Happy Isles and ride the bus back on Sunday, then try to get a permit leaving Tuolumne starting Monday. That lets go down to the valley with only day hike gear.

Does that just kill the magic of doing the JMT as a single trip?

Thanks
Jim

JimQPublic

#2

That’s too personal a question for anyone to answer. A very small part of me would feel kinda bad for not doing the whole thing contiguously, but plenty of people would feel fine with it. Lots more just skip the part to Happy Isles anyway. So do what your gut says…regardless you’ll have a 180 or something mile hike without being in a car or bus. That’ll be magic i bet.

But if it were me, i’d take a chance on getting a walk-up permit in Happy Isles. You might be surprised what’s available for one person just walking in. We were 2 people, i think it was a Friday (?), and we walked in at Happy Isles and ended up with a permit for that day. If they don’t have one, the time spent waiting and visiting the valley will be cool, and not that different from spending extra time on a bus. Or you could, not that i’m saying i would (but i would), just get the permit for the following day and walk out that day anyway, stealth-camping the first night. Have your food canned. The bears will find you even though the rangers won’t.

But your way will be great too.

markv

#3

Jim Q please don’t feel kinda bad, as mark suggested, if you don’t start in the valley. Just do what feels right. Don’t let the permit process inimidate you. It is easy to walk on and get a permit.

Just curious mark, do you also feel “kinda bad” for taking so much time off of the PCT? (still not sure that means you are a thru hiker or a section hiker)

Theresa T

#4

That’s the 2nd straight post i’ve made that’s been personally attacked.

I didn’t suggest that he should feel kinda bad. I said most wouldn’t, and only a small part of me would. That’s a pretty mild statement. And i meant it as an encouragement, like you, do do what he wants but not be intimidated by the permit process.

As far as my PCT hike goes, i don’t feel at all bad in any way. Anyone can call me whatever kind of hiker they feel like, but if hiking Section A a couple of months early makes me a section hiker to you, i gotta laugh at your logic. I’m pretty excited to get back on the trail in a few weeks when i’m done with work.

markv

#5

Thru hiker, section hiker… all that really counts is that you hike the hike you want, see the scenery and enjoy it. Hiking down to the valley with less pack weight makes great sense to me. I would take a detour and add Clouds Rest and Half Dome but then you wouldn’t be a purist. :wink:
When I hiked the JMT I started at Tuolemne mds and it didn’t take any of the magic out of it for me (I had already hiked Tuolemne mdws - Happy Isles).
Just my experience.
PS Markv, I hiked the AT in 05 taking about 1 1/2 months off to travel to Holland and Jordan and still consider myself a thru hiker.:slight_smile:

Apple Pie

#6

My option C is to start at Reds twice- first NB to Yosemite, then grab YARTS back to Mammoth and head south for Whitney. Permits are available now for both departures from Reds.

Decisions, Decisions. If I want to reserve the Reds permits I should act now. If I’m just going for first-come I don’t have to decide until… well until I start the trip.

The through-hike idea has appeal. I started planning this trip to fill in gaps, then decided to do the whole thing. Tuolumne to June Lake, then Red’s to Sawmill would fill in all my gaps.

Jim

JimQPublic

#7

The JMT is frought with logistical issues and its a fairly short trail so I wouldnt sweat the order you do things. The whole area is amazing and you’ll probably want to do it all over again sometime anyway.

I like JIm Qs idea myself. Mammoth is a great place to start or end a hike or start twice form.

…and…I have to say, I don;t think MarkVs origianl post warrented the harsh reply. Hopefully it was just a matter of someone misinterperting tone which can often happen in forums and emails.:cheers

jalan jalan

#8

You could just make the reservations now and you can always change your mind later if it turns out that you can get a walk up permit from another trailhead. The reservations aren’t that expensive are they? If that gives you peace of mind, go for it!

apple pie

#9

Jim Q-
I hiked with someone last year for a few days who did exactly that. TM to Happy Isles, then shuttle back to TM and continue south. He finished and loved every minute of it. Just have fun and hike your own hike.

weez

#10

Mark, after reading your journal, I’m guessing you’re catching crap from over sensative hikers on your use of “mexican”, “illegal”, “mexican garbage”. Not that you should be carefull about what you write in YOUR journal but many hikers might take offense to that. Lot’s of “white guilt” out there buddy… I enjoyed reading your journal and Enjoy your hike…

BB

#11

I just went back over my journal entries. I’m pretty much dumbfounded at the thought that anyone could be offended. I don’t see a sentence that’s negative towards any person or group in my entries. I don’t use “Mexican” in any disparaging way. I refer to “Mexican litter” when i’m talking about bottles with labels in spanish, and multi-colored cloth overboots that have worn out and been left on the trail. Even in the p.c. world of academia, i haven’t been told of any better term for that than “Mexican litter.” My use of the term “illegal border crosser” is, from my understanding, more sympathetic and humane than “illegal alien” or “illegal immigrant”. I could get rid of the term “illegal” except that they are by our current (stupid) laws illegal. Last i checked, there’s no better p.c. way to say illegal than “illegal”.

There’s more i could say about my views on immigration (one would put me way to the left of any mainstream politician), but frankly i’m sick of defending myself instead of talking about hiking. So let’s just call me a bigot racist long-winded cheating sub-section hiker and move along to another topic. Congrats to Sammy and Theresa, you got what you wanted…i’ll stop posting.

markv

#12

I thought hiking was supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. Who cares about section hiking or someones views on P.C. lingo.

Mark–keep posting. You’ve helped me in the past and I always enjoy reading your posts.

Relax people!—maybe you need to go hiking…

weez

#13

Thanks all for the responses. I realize that these are all arbitrary notions. If the official JMT went a different route that’s where the traffic would be. I’m not sure if I really WANT to hike the whole JMT, or if I just think it would go over better in cocktail party conversation. I have been on top of Whitney twice. I have hiked from Red’s to Happy Isles (not on the JMT) and Tuolumne to Happy Isles. I would love to do them all again. It would love to see new country too.

Hiking across roadless country is more interesting to me- I like riding my bicycle if there are roads. One modified thought is to follow my heart and hike the roadless stretch of the PCT from Tuolumne or Red’s to Kennedy Meadow. I would resupply at Reds, MTR and Horseshoe Meadows- possibly with a preset cache near Mulkey pass.

Total distance is about 240 miles if I don’t sidetrip up Whitney, or 260 if I do. Starting at Reds saves about 37 miles. Although my ideal goal is to take just two weeks off work, I could take more- even leave it a bit open ended.

Isn’t planning the most fun? The only decision I need to make soon is whether to reserve a wilderness permit from Red’s. Otherwise I’ll go first-come when I start the trip. My MTR resupply is a given in each of my scenarios.

Jim

JimQPublic