Going over my Itinerary and I am still wondering where to mail my resupply box. My trip is just shy of three weeks (9/1-9/22), but I am still not sure where to send it. I heard both good and bad things about Muir Ranch and VVR, and I don’t know any other reliable alternatives. So if anyone out there has an opinion where the best place to pick up a resupply package is, let me know. It would also be especially helpful if getting to that place didn’t require any hitchhiking.
The Hobo
I resupplied at VVR but stopped by Muir Ranch to check things out. I recommend Muir Ranch. They cost a few bucks more, and don’t have a restaurant or accomadations, but they’re closer to the trail, have nice hot springs nearby (easy river crossing in September to get there), were very nice and trustworthy, and had a loaded hiker box system with lots of free goodies. That would be your best option without hitchhiking and going way off trail.
In Sep., if you have the $$$, they also take reservations for short stays of a night or two. It’s not cheap, but it may be worth it. With meals included, it still ends up cheaper than VVR.
markv
That response might not have made sense. They don’t have walk-in meals or lodging for hikers. They do take reservations, though in July and August it’s by the week only.
markv
Like markv, I resupplied at VVR and then stopped by Muir Ranch. When I hike the trail again, I’ll use Muir Ranch. The location was much more convenient. Although VVR charges less for holding your package, you’ll pay out the nose for food etc. Plus, at VVR I definitely saw things I’d dropped in the hiker box put up on their shelves for sale.
Tumblina
Muir Trail Ranch was awesome. They get a little touchy about hikers wandering into the facilty but when I was their in September of last year I could easily have resupllied for several hikes. So many hiker never complete their hikes or are just plain no shows that they were praxctically begging us to take stuff off their hands.
One tip I should pass on: put a six pack of sodas or beer in your MTR can for a nice cold treat when you arrive. They store most of the pales in a cool outbuilding and even if its not ice cold, you’ll elicit stares of envy from all the hikers when you whip out a cold one. Of course you could also share.
:cheers
jalanjalan
I’d have to echo everyone else. MTR is almost on the trail and it is closer to the middle of the trip than VVR. I would still go to VVR though, mostly because I enjoy the place and the food, even if it is expensive. Enjoy!
shelly
Yup. Last year I dumped a few items from my re-supply box into the hiker box at VVR, thinking I wouldn’t need them. The next morning when I changed my mind, they were gone from the box and on the shelves at VVR - bags of tea, instant oatmeal, travel size toothpaste - flavors that matched what I’d dumped but hadn’t been on the shelves the day before.
Tumblina
Hey Hobo–I’m starting on 9/2 and finishing on 9/21. I;m planning a resupply at Reds and MTR. If I have time, want a real meal, or a rest day I may go to VVR but am not planning a resupply there.
See you out there…
Weez
Weez
MTR is a much better option for many reasons. The best might be that you are not locked into the ferry schedule as you are at VVR.
Mike O.
July works exactly the same as September…read above. Only slight difference may be less food left behind in the MTR and Reds hiker boxes.
markv
If you’re hiking in early July, the post-office/store at Tuolumne Meadows may not be open. When I got there around the 8th last year, they had just opened that day. Other than this location, resupplies are the same.
Tumblina
Last year was a lot higher snow year than this year. I think it’s a safe bet Tuolumne PO will be open before 7/1. They keep limited hours though, so get there early, especially if it’s Saturday.
markv
We’d been planning to resupply at the Tuolomne Meadows Post Office on 6/23. This is a super low snow year but it still sounds like we can’t count on that, can we? Anyone know how to find out for sure?
thanks…
beans
I’ve read the info in the Guide to the John Muir Trail and it recommends the Muir Trail and gives the address to contact them. However, it does not give any further details. For those who have resupplied there, how much lead time to you need (by writing to them) to plan ahead for a cache? Do you pay in advance or when you pick up the cache? How far in advance do they recommend mailing them the package? Is the fee around $40 as I’ve heard elsewhere? Thanks for any information offerred.
Bearpaw
Thanks so much for the information Doug.
It always stuns me that “official” guidebooks fail to list links like this. It was extremely helpful.
Bearpaw
Okay - I am planning my resupplies for the JMT this August.
Here is what I have - please let me know if I have something wrong.
thanks!
Muir Ranch:
[Your name]
Muir Trail Ranch
PO Box 176
Lakeshore CA 93634.
$45 - Either pay in cash or send them a check/money order. Put name, email and expected arrival date on package. Use a bucket.
VVR:
Vermilion Valley Resort
P.O. Box 258
Lakeshore, Ca. 93634
$15 - Cash Collected when you pick it up. Put name and arrival date on the package. Buckets okay
Reds Meadows:
Red’s Meadow
PO Box 395
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
$25 - Fill out form and enclose check/money order.
Tuolumne Meadows:
[Your Name]
ATTN: Hold for JMT Hiker ETA Month/Day
Tuolumne Meadows Station
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
OregonBeerMan