I’ve heard that Reds Meadow is a unreliable place to resupply on the JMT. Is this true? Anyone resupply there and have problems with their resupply dissapearing or did everything go OK?
Bob
Reds Meadow Resupply
system
#2
while i have heard many mixed reports on Reds Meadow, i have never heard that they lose resupply packages. perhaps they will only hold them for a certain amount of time? my own experience there was somewhat negative - i sent my package along with a check for their fee, and when i picked it up they tried to charge me a “per day” holding fee that WAS NOT on their site and that i WAS NOT told about when i called them to confirm how they would like my package & payment sent. i explained that i was never informed about extra holding fees and they let me have my box. so caveat emptor.
tarbubble
system
#3
I seem to remember there is a per day package fee, but I can’t find anything about it online right now.
If you’re wanting to resupply by purchasing food in the Red’s Meadow store, you’ll have to be creative. The store has mostly canned goods. If you want to eat bologna sandwiches, you’re all set!
If you’re hiking north on the JMT, you could creatively resupply at Red’s Meadow for the 45 miles until you get to Tuolumne. If you’re southbound, I’d suggest taking the shuttle to Mammoth and buy food at the store there.
yogi
yogi
system
#4
I’ve picked up a food drop there several times with no problems. I definitely agree with Yogi about trying to resupply from the store. The food there is really geared to car campers. Lots of canned food, although I think they also had a few boxes of crackers and a selection of candy bars. Not too many options for a hiker. For a full resupply, mailing a box to Red’s or taking the bus to Mammoth would be much better.
If you are interested in sending a package to Red’s, I’ve pasted a link to their instructions below. As tarbubble mentioned, you’ll see that there is a $1 per day holding fee for mailed packages after the first 5 days.
http://www.redsmeadow.com/form.html
Kanga
system
#5
I agree with Yogi, the bus to Mammoth Lakes was no problem at all. There was a small fee to take the bus to the Ski Resort (a few bucs) but then a free shuttle bus into town (they are not to frequent at the end of summer, not many skiers up that way in the summer). It drops you off on the corner by a pub called the Whisky Creek (or something like that), good beer and good music on the right night. They have a good store, a Rite Aid, an outfitters and an internet cafe, everything a hiker needs. There’s a strip of motels if you feel the urge to stay a while, pretty reasonably priced to.
Cheers
P.S If I remember rightly, the walk in campground at Reds Meadow had a water contamination problem (this was back in 2002). Most of us pumped from the stream but those who did drink from the tap became ill on the trail and had to return. I’m sure that’s been fixed now but just thought i’d let you know of this possible problem.
Cheers
system
#6
I think the problem has been fixed. I was there last summer, and in August 2002 and had no problem with the water either time. BUT, I have heard that the water has a mild laxative effect on some people because of its high pumice content (Red’s Meadows is in a volcanic area).
Kanga
system
#7
Kanga, thanks for posting that address. i could just be addlepated, but cross my heart i never saw that $1 a day fee on their site when i dealt with them back in 2003. i even called them on the phone to confirm the fee listed was current & exactly how they wanted the box sent, and the daily fee was never mentioned. go figure.
tarbubble
system
#8
When I hiked the JMT in June/July of 2004, we resupplied only at VVR and friends hiked in to resupply us in Dusy Basin. On the second day of our hike a bear ended up throwing our bear canisters in to a nearby stream, ruining much of our food. We ended up having to buy food at both the Tuolumne and Red Meadows stores. The store at Red Meadows is about 1/4 mile off the trail was for the most part pretty lousy. They did have a lot of the dehydrated meals in a bag, that you add boiling water too. Although they are a little expensive I like them. For the water, I filled my bottles full of their water and had no problem and neither did the 6 other guys with me. What I would do if I hiked it again (assuming you are going southbound), is to resupply in Tuolumne (This means you can start the hike with a lighter pack), then stop at Red Meadows and eat lunch in the cafe buy a dinner or two and hike 2 more days to VVR and resupply there. Good Luck!!
P.S. VVR is a little expensive. I think they will hold boxes for $6. I really enjoyed my stay there. They have a very friendly staff, and if you are there mid June, there will be lots of nice PCT hikers to talk with. :cheers
rubik
system
#9
I plan on picking up a package, not resupplying at the store. So it sounds like I should be OK? Problems haven’t been with lost packages? OK Great. Thanks.
Bob