I plan on hiking the JMT South from Mammoth to Whitney.
Does anyone know where I can get a permit?
Also, is there a shuttle or cab service from Mammoth to the trailhead? I’ve taken the biker bus from the ski resort to town but I’m not sure they’d be willing to take hikers back down to the trailhead.
Finally, Is there a place in the town of Mammoth that will allow me to store my car for 2-3 weeks?
Striker
Are you hiking solo?
If not, you might consider renting a car for one day in Mammoth, then you & hiking partner drive your car & rental car to Whitney Portal, leave your car, return rental car to Mammoth and start to hike, walking eventually to your own car. This is what I did when hiking the JMT last year, except we then stayed the night in Mammoth and caught the bus to Yosemite Valley from Mammoth to start at the JMT northern terminus on the following day. All very easy and convenient.
Shelly Culbertson
if you want to take the bus to yosemite valley from mammoth lakes check here for the yarts bus schedule. if you are set on leaving from mammoth lakes you can take the bus to reds meadow near the devil’s postpile or you can take a side trail from horseshoe lake that takes you to the jmt/pct about 4 miles south of reds meadow. that trail can be seen on the tom harrison jmt maps.
as far as permits go, when i did the jmt i got a walk-up permit the day before i started in yosemite valley. the other three guys i was with already had one reserved in advance. but they save some just for walk-up, but i would be the first one in line the day before you want to start. as far as getting one going in near reds meadow, i think you need to get it from the governing body of whereever you enter. so at reds meadow, it would be the ansel adams wilderness, which is managed by the Inyo National Forest. their office is in bishop, just south of mammoth lakes.
jerm
You can pick up your permit at the ranger station/wilderness office right there in town. It is on the right side of the road as you are driving into town from the freeway. If you get to the first light you’ve gone too far.
The bus drivers in Mammoth are pretty cool, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they would be willing to give you a ride to the main lodge at the resort, where you can catch the mandatory Devil’s Postpile/Red’s Meadow shuttle to the trailhead. But if not, there is a taxi service in town, and I doubt it would be too expensive to take a cab just to the main lodge.
Kanga
To clarify my earlier post, there is a ranger station right there in Mammoth – you don’t need to go to Bishop. Here is the contact information for the Mammoth Ranger station:
Mammoth Ranger Station
and Visitor Center
760-924-5500
760-924-5531 TDD
P.O. Box 148
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00
Open all year, 7 days a week
Kanga
Hello Striker when will you be leaving mammoth? I live here in mammoth and I could possibly give you a ride to reds meadow if I’m in town and not on the trail. If not you should not have a problem hitching a ride to reds meadow from town or even from main lodge.
Let me know your dates and I could possibly help you out. You can also leave your car at my condo if you like or we can drop your car off @ whitney portal.
mtnbum
You guys are awesome. Great info all around. Thanks again. Mtn Bum. We’ll probably be leaving Mammoth around August 18th. I’ll look into the rental car idea but may get in touch to see of your in town that weekend. Thanks for your kind offer.
:cheers
Stiker
It’s a bit over 100 miles one-way, but it’s not all 70-mph highway so I’d give it 2 hours each way. Interestingly, there is a shortcut before you get into Lone Pine - if you mapquest mammoth lakes, ca to whitney portal, ca it will show you exactly where the shortcut is.
Shelly Culbertson
My family and I are starting our hike on the 5th of August so we will be on the trail on the 18th. We should be off by the 22nd at the latest…so let me know what I can do to help out after the 22nd.
mtnbum