We are working on our summer plans, and trying to decide (in our quiver of options) whether to hike along the JMT from TM south to Agnew Meadows, or North from Agnew Meadows to TM. I realize the permitting is more difficult for Southbound as it requires the Donahue Pass exit JMT permit lottery.
*THE KICKER*
We will be with our 3 & 5 year old, which means 5-8 miles days max. Which may sound crazy, but we backpack with them consistently here in Colorado, last year did TM to the Valley along the JMT, and believe we are up for it as a challenge. They hike about 3-5 miles on their own, and then my wife and I carry them. Good times carrying 35+ pound kid along with 30 pound packs
Anyhoo, my 2 main questions are:
- Any personal insight/preference on going SOBO or NOBO for this section? I see benefit of knocking out ~10 miles of flat-ish Lyell canyon before the Donahue pass climb going South (and being that much closer to weather reports, etc), but on the other hand it seems easier to break up the trip for campsites going North, and perhaps hitting Garnet/Thousand Island on the front end would be more enjoyable. I'd love any thoughts!
- If we start at Agnew Meadows, am I right that the only option to get back to Agnew Meadows is to take YARTs to Mammoth, then take the Mammoth shuttle to Agnews Meadows? Seems difficult to figure out with tired kids in tow...
Thanks for any thoughts! OR other suggestions (also thinking of the Vogelsang Rafferty loop, Or staying south to do Thousand Island Lake Loop out of Agnew Meadows, etc...something in the 20-30 mile range, ideally <5k elevation gain though I know my current plan pushes that).
A little eye candy, a timelapse reel from our adventures in 2019 including Yosemite: video: https://youtu.be/i5aupGdmqLs
See our photo website: www.jordanchapell.com
