Hi everyone. Does anyone know the current trail conditions on the decent from Cecile Lake to Iceberg Lake (October 19 2024)? Im planning on heading up on a backpacking trip from Red Cones on Saturday and would love to do the trail from Minaret to Iceberg but only if there is no snow/ice. Thanks for reading!

Trying my hand at a JMT permit next year. Anyone know if I can apply multiple times? I understand it is $10 an attempt so what if I were to double my chances by applying twice for that particular week? Has anyone tried this?

Hello all! Yesterday, 9/30 I believe I left a small zippered bag of clothing at the Pine Creek Pass trailhead parking lot. This bag contains some stinky socks and more importantly, a very special and sentimental fleece hat. If anyone can help me please message me, and thank you for reading!

I want to fill in the gap that Covid forced me to leave in my PCT hike in 22, so I've started to plan a JMT hike from Tuolumne Meadows (Lyell Canyon Trailhead) to Kearsarge. Time wise, I'd aim for the last week of June, as I figure this might get me through before fire season and (pure conjecture) it isn't prime High Sierra season yet, thus raising my lottery chances. I'm aware that this comes with a few constraints like TM Backpackers Campground not being open (but then, it's been some time since it was open anyway), but I think Reds, VVR and MTR should already be operating, even if the ferry isn't running yet. Since I'm from Europe, the logistics are a bit involved and more expensive (sending resupply through a third party like TCO, shifting flights etc.). I need to shift work projects for the year and have a somewhat reliable time window around the time the permit lottery opens. So that's where I'm hoping that your swarm intelligence and experience can give me more than an abstract hope. How high would you call the odds that I can snatch a single person JMT permit for a late June start in the regular lottery within a three or four day window? If that fails, how promising are walk-in permits if I have to take the Yarts shuttle from Mammoth (that's where I'll be staying for two nights to get a little acclimatization)? I'm aware that I'm asking for anecdotal evidence, not reliable facts, and that freak weather can invalidate the best of plans.
TIA
Bounce

Finished the JMT about 2 weeks ago (25 day hike). I went back to the gym for the first time today to resume my regular strength training and I was blown away by my loss of upper body strength. I was struggling to lift anything close to my previous routine and had to reduce my weights by about 33% for my upper body exercises.

I lost about 12lbs on the trail (was 173lbs, now 161) and haven’t felt this good overall in years. But I’m guessing my body ate up a lot of muscle I wasn’t using. Just curious if others have experienced something similar and if you had any advice for how you approached it and if you did anything special to rebuild a normal workout routine.

My wife and I did the JMT SOBO in 2020 and loved it. The following year we did the Big SEKI Loop and again loved it. This summer we did an extended Mineral King loop and (guess what) loved it. Now I’m wondering what we could do next.

We’re not super adventurous (don’t want to do significant off trail hiking) but don’t mind some extra effort to get places that are less traveled and get us away from the crowds.

Thoughts?

Taboose Pass Trailhead Parking lot - lost hiking staff

Hello,

A buddy of mind lost/left his hiking staff at the Taboose Pass Trailhead last Saturday, Sept 14th. It's not "valuable" but VERY sentimental.

IF you see it, is it possible you can contact me, private DM - perhaps I can offer a reward. He was parked near the end (or beginning if you are driving to the end of the parking.). If you are standing in the lot looking at the bear boxes, he pared to the right, at end.

If you know anyone going in/hiking out - it would mean a lot. Thanks.

Holed up in Bishop waiting for this weather to pass, trying to get to the Bishop Pass Trailhead to get back on trail this Friday morning. Anyone coming through with an extra seat? 😊

Hey, starting the trail tomorrow and trying to find two things out-

1. Is the store at Tuolumn meadows open?
2. How common is it to find rides to hitch between Mammoth Lakes and Red's Meadow on weekends after the shuttles stop?

If anyone knows it'll be much appreciated 🙏 Thanks!

Long shot: I hiked with a guy for a couple days , trail name: cosmo cheese. Forgot to trade information. Well if you see this, pm please.

Cosmo, if you see this, we took the shuttle from lone pine and hiked for a couple of days together.

Long shot but I need a ride from Mammoth to Tuolumne today Sunday the 15th. Let me know if you can help!

We are Garmintexting a friend on the trail. Suggesting lower elevation camp sites for Sunday and Monday. A little snow may take a while to melt at these temperatures. We are sharing site specific forecasts from here: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-118.5087054494118&lat=37.05296807218541

Wondering if others think it’s safe for a single woman to section hike the northern ~30 miles of the trail solo in late September. I am a new-ish backpacker, although experienced hiker, but no experience solo backpacking yet. My concerns are: feeling scared if I don’t see any other people, inclement weather, and bears. Thanks for the advice!

Given if the weather permits me to use my permit, planning on doing a part of the JMT from Bishop via Pine Creek trail to Mammoth. I have it marked I’m doing about 12+ miles a day between each stop, equipment and food aren’t a worry, curious has anyone ever start around the pine creek area? And any suggestions/recommendations going through these areas(will post a pic of planned stops) thank you.

Is a 30 degree rated REI Magma bag with liner enough for this section of the JMT around July/Aug timeframe?

I know ideally i'd want a 20 degree bag for the trail but wondering since I'm not going to be camping higher than 10k feet or so in that section, if I could just wear a down jacket if it gets cold and still be comfortable.