Does anybody know of a way to resupply at the Onion Valley trailhead? The most recent reference I can find is a 2007 post about leaving resupply at the Berner packstation for $50. Is this still an option? I tried emailing Dee Berner a week ago, with no response yet.
(I know I could hitchhike into Independence, but my wife will be with me and is very against this idea.)
Thanks for your ideas.
DB
Why is she against hitching into Independence? The Onion Valley Trailhead is at the end of a long and windy road and the only people that are going to or from that parking lot are other hikers… Seems like a pretty safe option as far as hitching scenarios go.
grizzly adam
Why not go to Cedar Grove instead? I don’t have my map, but I think there is a trail halfway between Pinchot and Glen Pass, right at the Golden Gate of the Sierra Bridge if I’m not mistaken which goes west to Cedar Grove where there is a Grocery store. No hitching, no passes to climb and you should be able to take a bus to see the big trees if you want.
Guino
It is 14 miles down the Bubbs Creek Trail to re-supply at Cedar Grove. The store there has lots of snacks and drinks, and canned food. But it has very little in the way of lighter weight hiking food. I would try the hitch into Independence instead. It took me about 30 minutes to get a ride down (wait for a dayhiker at the trailhead). It took about two hours to get a ride back up. Not bad, and Independence is a nice place to stay. Try the courtyard inn, very reasonable.
Robocop
I’d do the Onion Valley exit for resupply, if only because that exit trail is drop dead gorgeous (especially the Bullfrog Lake part of the loop). It’s not the easiest hitch, but i would think it’s as safe as can be.
markv
I hitched from the Onion Valley trail head at the end of the day. I only waited 30 minutes. I would think if you were there early in the day you would easily be able to get to town and back. Markv is right though, the trail there is fun and bullfrog lake is a nice one.
weez
Thanks for all the comments.
I have also heard the Bullfrog/Kearsarge section is amazing, so really want to go this direction. Also, I’m very familiar with Cedar Grove, but was hoping to see something new and perhaps have a bit shorter hike out.
Agreed on the “as safe as it gets” referred to by grizzly & others. I’ll work on her 
DB
In January, I got an email from Dee Berner and she said they could do a resupply at the Charlotte Lake trail junction for a flat rate of $500 with half due now.
gilajoe
Couldn’t you mail yourself via General Delivery to the post office in Independence? Looks like it’s at the end of the trailhead road.
bryanonfilm
If you are planning on staying at a motel in Independence, why not mail your box there, in case you arrive on a weekend when the post office is closed. Of course, contact the motel ahead of time. When I was there a few years back, the Courthouse Motel was very hiker friendly with hike discount.
ronyon
I agree with what everbody is saying about Kearsarge Pass being beautiful, Onion Valley not being that hard of a hitch (and being relatively safe) and Independence being nice little town, but if you’re going there to resupply you will need to either send a box there or go up to Bishop. Last time I was in Independence (about one year ago), the market was still closed down. The only place to resupply is two gas station convenience stores. Lone Pine (south of Independence)has a grocery store that would suffice and Bishop (40ish miles north) has everything you would need for resupply, including replacing gear if need be.
ducky
Don’t miss the salad bar at Sizzler, or the Galen Rowell mountain photography museum.
markv