You do not avoid the climb from Fish Creek to Silver Pass by taking the conventional JMT to Virginia and Tully Hole.? JMT drops to cross Fish Creek below Tully hole and climbs the same 1700 feet from there that the Cascade Valley trail from Iva Bell connects with.? And you dont have to miss Virginia and Tully Hole either.? The JMT is only 600 Feet above Iva Bell at Purple Lake, so the hot spring can just be a quick side trip from there, or a shiort climb if you are taking the whole Cascade Valley route to IB from Red's.
