OMG, next year, several of my friends want to do the JMT. It's been a few years since I did it, and before I finished it, I told myself I wanted to do it again.. Usually on longer trips, it takes a few days before I think I wanna go right back... Anyway, my friends and I have been scheming.. Might actually do it again myself next year!
14 days sounds perfectly reasonable to me. I just went back to double-check. Yup, 14 days for me, too. Meant I was walking all day, and some days set up in the dark (I'm not terribly fast), but I did it and would do it again the same way. Hardest thing I have ever done when you combine the physical, mental and emotional hurdles to overcome. I spent the first 4 days with a newbie backpacker, then about 5 days solo. Solo time turned out to be the easiest time for me on the trail, overall. I just did what I wanted, when I wanted.
I started in the Valley and ended at Whitney Portal. If I were to do it again, I'd probably do it the same way... why? Lots of bail options from Yosemite through Red's Meadow, in case something isn't working out. And you are fresh, so the bail options aren't so tempting. I only had enough food on me from the Valley to get to Sunrise in a day and then just enough breakfast and snacks to hit the bear box at the Sunrise trailhead to load up on food to make it to Red's Meadow. (We had dropped off the food the day before I started hiking.) Then enough food to make it to Red's Meadow where I had shipped a box of supplies. The next and final resupply for me was Muir Trail Ranch. That was a bit harsh. I was still solo then, so I had shelter, stove, bear can and 7 days of food (extra food, it turned out) and water for the hot slog. The scale read 35 pounds and that's the worst I've had to carry. It was hot and I felt it. But I got into a groove. Apparently everyone felt it that day, since everyone I'd met at MTR said they were heading to McClure Meadow to camp that night, but I was the only one who made it as far as Evo Meadow. I was bummed as I'd carried extra Fritos to share with everyone and no one showed, so I couldn't fit all my food in my can.. So I set it in an OP Sak (no, they aren't really OP) on top of my can and went to sleep a bit worried about it but...(this was a LONG day, and a longer story I'll tell if you want elsewhere)... Anyway, next day, met up with Basilbop and a friend and continued along for a couple of days, met another friend and the four of us finished at Whitney Portal a few days later. I loved heading south, the scenery kept getting more spectacular (I love the high country) and finishing that way just felt really good to me. It's not that Yosemite isn't stunning, but I really think it'd be too jarring for me to end there after spending so much peaceful time on the trail. "Re-entry" into civilization was more gradual, for as crowded as the Whitney Zone is, it's got nothing on Yosemite Valley!
An awesome trip, great overview of the Sierras, and though I want to go and explore certain areas in depth, there was something special in doing the whole hike that appealed to me. Really enjoyed it and the fabulous people I met on the trail on the way. Trail family. At first I didn't understand people who said they did the trip frequently... but when I was done, I could easily see it.
I think you've made a great choice! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to help you out!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2013 01:16PM by JustKeepWalking.
