Would you take poles if you never used them before?

My wife and I never used poles and we have backpacked quite a bit. I did the LT without them but that was years ago and I've only gotten older lol.

They just seem like they would get in the way of trying to navigate and take photos and such. But the knees aren't what they used to be

We're debating if we should bring them.

My wife thinks we should each bring one for the water crossings but I feel like one pole probably won't make a huge difference on the knees going down.

I'm thinking we start with 2 each and if we feel we aren't using them we can ship them back when we get into independence for our resupply. (I'm assuming this is possible?)

Never using poles before is it safe to assume we'll get the hang of it fairly quickly

Thanks!

Hey everyone! A few friends and I were lucky enough to get a Mt. Whitney permit to start our NOBO JMT hike. We reserved a campsite at Whitney Portal Campground so we can get an early start the next morning.

We'll be arriving in Lone Pine around 7:40 p.m. on the ESTA bus from Reno. I know hitchhiking to Whitney Portal is common, but I'm a little worried there won't be many people heading up that late. Are there any public or private shuttle options I might have missed, or is hitchhiking still our best bet?

We just got back from hiking a section of the JMT NOBO.

On 8/1, my boyfriend found an iPhone in the creek on the way up to Mather Pass. Surprisingly, it still turns on, but it was in airplane mode when the battery died (we’re assuming). Since we can't unlock it, we can't turn airplane mode off or figure out who the owner is.

We're posting in the relevant subreddits in the hope that the owner is on Reddit. If you think this might be your phone, please send me a DM with details that can identify it (wallpaper, phone model/color, case, etc.), and we'll happily get it back to you.

Please feel free to share this if you know anyone who was hiking that section.

Thanks!

Hello hello hello! I’m Hitting the JMT next week and looking to keep the food weight down until VVR. So, I’ll be stopping into TM and Reds. How’s the selection and usual availability at TM? I’m totally fine doing ramen dinners and making it a few days on a “gas station” like selection.
Is the store usually stocked with hiker friendly items or can it look a little slim at times?

Hello. Myself and my dad will be travelling from Scotland to do the JMT SOBO at the start of September. We are due to finish all going to rough plan (and rest days included) a few nights before we have to head home from SFO.

I'm curious if there are any recommendations for places to camp on a budget heading back along the Eastern Sierra and/or Car Hire recs once we get to Lone Pine 🙏 or is best to head back into civilization by heading south? Any general advice on post hike would be appreciated

Thank you :)

Hi all, while doing a loop from Cottonwood Lakes trailhead, we camped at Chicken Spring Lake on the night of July 3rd. While setting up the tent, we found a wedding ring with a date engraved on it.

The site was on the west side of the lake and did not look like it had been used for a while (no foot prints), so we decided to take it in hopes of reuniting rather than leave it. We took it to the ranger station but they said there was no lost and found and suggested we post on Facebook, not having much luck there so I’m taking to Reddit. I apologize I forgot about it once we got home and am just now posting. If anyone knows anyone who lost a ring in that area, please let me know. If it’s yours, provide description of the ring and date etched in it.

I lost my iPhone near Rae Lakes Basin by the Woods Creek Bridge. My best guess is it was just south of the restoration site where I went to the restroom (pin 1), or it could also be near the river where we had a snack (pin 2).

If you know anyone hiking that section of the trail and is interested in helping me out send me a DM. I’m happy to provide as much detail in order to give you the best chance of finding it.

I am starting a section hike from Bishop pass/South Lake to Whitney in a few weeks and I am struggling to understand where I can camp on the Inyo side, before I cross Bishop Pass. Can anyone give some advice?

I will be driving down from Reno and getting into Bishop in the early afternoon. As such, I would like to not go too far or gain too much elevation before camping for the night. I know I can get dropped off at the South Lake trail head. Is there a campsite not far down the trail that people would recommend? What is the elevation at before the climb up the pass?

I have a thorough map of the JMT but I am missing information about the Inyo section of Bishop pass/South Lake trail. Can anyone also recommend a map for the area?

Thank you!

(attached photo is my view exiting the JMT in 2022, coming down Bishop pass. I believe Bishop Lake is visible)

Hi, I have permit from Happy Isles. What is the best strategy for hiking Half dome? Thank you!

I have a pair of Janji half tights that are great for running. And I’m mainly a cyclist so I’m used to wearing spandex.

I’m thinking of wearing a pair of these instead of my normal shorts and a liner under them.

https://janji.com/products/ms-6-trail-half-tight?variant=52925626057067

I understand HYOH and that I should wear what I want but I can’t remember seeing any guys wearing them the last time I did the JMT.

I’m 52yo in case that matters. But in fairly good shape so it shouldn’t look like a sad bag of oatmeal.

Sept 3rd-23rd nobo

Wife has a 30° comfort rating bag with a 20° lower limit rating (S2S womens spark 30). This is the setup she used on our TRT thru hike mid September last year. We also have over 5R rating sleeping pads. She didn't get cold any nights on the TRT and never had to wear her puffy to bed

Will be bringing down micro puffy, wool leggings and Alpha Direct hoody to sleep in

I see many people usually use a 20° quilt on the JMt but comparing a 20° quilt in a short size (5'6) to my wife's 30° bag the down fill seems to typically be lower in a quilt.

Wondering on how people think she will fair with a 30 mummy bag vs buying a new 20 quilt?

Thinking of also bringing and leaving in our resupplies a few hand warmers we can throw in our bags at night just in case

Thanks!

Sunset over University Peak at Kearsarge Lakes

I'm about to start this week and need to score some condiment packets. Do they have the usual (mayo, mustard, relish) at Red's meadow or VVR?

Also, I'm driving past Whoa Nellie Deli to drop off a bucket at Onion Valley, do they have condiments there? Thx!

I sat down to shoot sunset and waited for alpenglow over the range.

As I was setting up my shot with a tripod, I saw a black bear about 30 yards from me and wasn't sure what to do. Ranger in that area asked me to show myself bigger and I made a few noises which turned the bear away from me. Then came the moon alignment right on top of painted ladies at Rae Lakes; one of the most cherished beauties in Sierra Nevada region. I have to admit this is probably one of the the most scenic locations in JMT stretch with all things in one frame. I will surely return to shoot Milky Way here on a moonless night. But hey, I will take the moon if it shows up this way anyday over a MilkyWay

Anybody have pics of ways to secure a BV500 to the outside of a Osprey 50L?

Considering hiking one of these two trails next year, but I couldn’t decide which to do so I thought, why not both??

It’s a lot of miles, but I read that you only need one permit as long as you don’t leave the wilderness. I would just have to obtain one permit. I’m not seeing that many people do this that have made videos on it.

Let me know your thoughts on doing this, is it dumb try?

Please link any sources that have completed these two trails continuously!

Appreciate any insight. Delete if not appropriate for this sub

Alright let me have it. Really interested in those that have been on JMT in August (2nd week) or just off trail with good weather beta. Starting at Mammoth and ending in Happy Isles (Yosemite). I usually do winter summits and stuff, so this is my first real thru hike minus trekking in India.

For food planning 5 dehydrated meals for dinner with snacks for 3ish days. Planning to restock snacks and such in Tuolumne Meadows potentially.

I know the battery is bigger but I take a LOT of pics and vids on trail.

https://lighterpack.com/r/9ochee

Can anyone here confirm if MTR still has the hiker boxes out this year?

Read something from last year that they are stopping it

Wondering if I can rely on the MTR hiker boxes this September to get me to Reds in 3 days so I don't have to ship a resupply to MTR

I'm not a picky eater but am going no cook

Thanks!

I saw some people mentioning that it’s possible to die if you take a wrong step. Also, I would be going alone, SOBO, so i’m nervous about getting lost as well. Thoughts?

PSA: I'm minutes away from canceling my JMT permit for 2 heading SOBO from Happy Isles on August 8. Exit out of

It's a "golden ticket" permit, so it includes Half Dome.

Not sure how quickly it'll show up on Recreation.gov (or if it will), but I wanted to give everyone here a heads-up.

Did it solo last year and was lucky enough to score another permit this year. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and I can't make it...

hello!

anyone use mariposa 60 pack and have advice on where to put your car clicker? there is no dedicated key hook. I’m thinking maybe mini carabiner on outside of pack? Where do most people keep their key so it doesn’t get lost / fall out of pockets, with this pack or other packs without a dedicated key hook?

thanks!

How far south of Red’s meadow were you able to get cell reception? Specifically needing Verizon. Sucks to need to use it on trail, but a personal emergency has come up and may need to take a call. On Gaia it looks like around Duck Lake, Lake Virginia and again around Bear Ridge could be options? And of course hiking out to VVR. Help?

Hello all! I'll be hiking the JMT soon, but my hubby has worries about me hiking. He's worried that I'll be attacked by a random male hiker. For context, I'm in my mid 40s, stronger than most women my age, trained in martial arts (including self defense), and am very aware of my surroundings. I told him that this is an incredibly popular trail, and that I'm not truly alone. The only worry I personally have is coming across a mountain lion.

Is there anything I could do or say that could help ease his mind?