I am on the PCT this year, just now in Ridgecrest for a town day and will be back on trail at Walker Pass tomorrow. Whitney in 2nd week of June, can tell you more when I'll be in Bishop.

I would expect that mid July there won't be any snow at all left on the ascent from Guitar Lake. The snow has melted exceptionally fast until now.

Henning

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Diese Nachricht wurde von meinem Android Mobiltelefon mit Mail gesendet.

Am 02.06.24, 11:18 schrieb "WanderingJim via " <jimjmt2020=[email protected]>:

So, I'm planning my treks for the summer and have a couple questions for the group. I have a set-in-stone week off on the July 4th week to work with, plus other flexible time I can take off during the summer.

The first question is how likely it is that the west switchbacks up to Mt Whitney will be climbable in mid July (say between July 12th and 14th)?
I figure with the average snow year we just had, the west side should be have melted out enough to reach the summit from that side. I’d be coming up from the PCT.

If the east side isn’t clear enough to descend directly to the portal, I would go down via Shepherds Pass or Kearsarge Pass. My plan is to leave a resupply package at Horseshoe Meadows with enough food to get to any of those exit points based on conditions mid-July.

BUT that got me thinking: I could just keep going NOBO on the JMT since I found the area between Glen Pass and Muir Trail Ranch one of the most scenic parts of the JMT when I did it SOBO in 2020 (of course, the other parts are great too).

The South Fork San Joaquin River Bridge being out is a complication.? How likely is the river to be low enough in mid to late July to ford the river near the missing bridge? The detour skips some of my favorite parts of the JMT, so probably wouldn’t bother continuing if I couldn’t get to MTR directly.

So, approximately 2 weeks ?along PCT section G from Walker Pass to Whitney (add 5 days or so to exit via Kearsarge), or 4-5 weeks to Yosemite Valley.

I could also exit from Kearsarge Pass, take 2-3 weeks back in civilization (my boss would appreciate that), and then restart JMT NOBO from there in mid August. Better chance of fordable rivers then. Getting a permit may be an issue for a restart.

So, really the final question is: Split the trek in two to be more likely to be able to do Kearsarge to Happy Isles with better chances in August or tempt fate by trying for a full 5 week uninterrupted trek (except for maybe some zero days in Independence and/or Reds Meadow during resupplies there)?

Thoughts?

--

Hi Jingbo,

I did a hike in that area last August.? I recommend it as an alternative route.? The portion of the JMT between Reds and Duck Lake Outlet isn't that great.??

Note, as of last August there were some significant blowdowns between Fox Meadow and Iva Bell, but I estimate it added only an additional 30 minutes to the travel time.? Also, the portion of trail between Rainbow Falls and Fox Meadow was pretty overgrown.??

A portion of the route I took was to follow the Fish Creek Trail from Reds past Iva Bell and Second Crossing to the connector trail to the Minnow Creek Trail.? Following that connector trail, I got onto the Minnow Creek Trail and took it to Lake of the Lone Indian and then to the JMT and Silver Pass.? I did make a detour and visited Olive, Anne, and Peter Pande lakes.? I did not see anyone between the time I crossed the bridge near Fox Meadow until just before Lake of the Lone Indian, a span of 45 hours.??

I really enjoyed Anne Lake (some cross-country travel required), the travel along Fish Creek, the interesting water channels in and around the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin, and of course Iva Bell.? ?

Greg

---

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jingbo Ni <jnistargazer@...>
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2024 10:21 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [JMT-groups.io] Iva Bell Hot Springs

?

I actually marked all the camp sites storied in The Trail whenever I can figure out in my CalTopo route plan :-)

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 09:45 Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Ethan,

Your book The Trail ?is very thoughtful, spiritual and humorous, really inspiring, ?a great read indeed!

Jingbo

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 09:21 Ethan via <ethansinbox=[email protected]> wrote:

Thank you!? I think you will really enjoy the springs!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:18?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Wow, Ethan, I devoured your book last year! It’s your book that inspired me to choose the Iva Belle detour! ?So lucky to meet you here!

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 09:14 Ethan via <ethansinbox=[email protected]> wrote:

Wonderful?Springs!!? I write about them in my book "The Trail"

Many ways to visit them:

From Reds Meadow you take the Rainbow Falls trailhead instead of the JMT and it's 13 miles to the hotsprings. About 3-4 miles after crossing the bridge over Fish Creek, you pass a trail junction with an old wooden sign, you cross a small stream, and then head off trail up the hill to find the springs. You'll find many small footpaths there.? There are several pools, one large one, and more very hot ones up on the bluff overlooking the meadow. Or keep going a bit on the main trail, go around a corner, and you'll pass a nice campsite on your right after another 0.1 miles or so and you can get to the springs from there on small foot trails.

To get back to the JMT you have several options:

In low water, you can go up over Second Crossing and cross Fish Creek (not possible in high water), then head up Cascade Valley and either pick up the trail to Purple Lake (not missing much of the JMT) or continue on to Tulley Hole.

In high water you can take that signed trail you passed on the way in to the springs following it (can get a bit sketchy) up past Lake of the Lone Indian and after that either head left to the JMT and Silver Pass or take a right and go over Goodale Pass to VVR.

Cheers!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:04?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Understood. The intention is not avoiding Silver Pass. I’m planning to get back to JMT official through Lone Indian Lake because once drop to Iva Bell it looks pretty difficult (though doable) to climb back to JMT through the connecting trails.?

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 04:11 Peter Hirst via <peter.p.hirst=[email protected]> wrote:

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.

Ethan,

Your book The Trail ?is very thoughtful, spiritual and humorous, really inspiring, ?a great read indeed!

Jingbo

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 09:21 Ethan via <ethansinbox=[email protected]> wrote:

Thank you!? I think you will really enjoy the springs!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:18?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Wow, Ethan, I devoured your book last year! It’s your book that inspired me to choose the Iva Belle detour! ?So lucky to meet you here!

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 09:14 Ethan via <ethansinbox=[email protected]> wrote:

Wonderful?Springs!!? I write about them in my book "The Trail"

Many ways to visit them:

From Reds Meadow you take the Rainbow Falls trailhead instead of the JMT and it's 13 miles to the hotsprings. About 3-4 miles after crossing the bridge over Fish Creek, you pass a trail junction with an old wooden sign, you cross a small stream, and then head off trail up the hill to find the springs. You'll find many small footpaths there.? There are several pools, one large one, and more very hot ones up on the bluff overlooking the meadow. Or keep going a bit on the main trail, go around a corner, and you'll pass a nice campsite on your right after another 0.1 miles or so and you can get to the springs from there on small foot trails.

To get back to the JMT you have several options:

In low water, you can go up over Second Crossing and cross Fish Creek (not possible in high water), then head up Cascade Valley and either pick up the trail to Purple Lake (not missing much of the JMT) or continue on to Tulley Hole.

In high water you can take that signed trail you passed on the way in to the springs following it (can get a bit sketchy) up past Lake of the Lone Indian and after that either head left to the JMT and Silver Pass or take a right and go over Goodale Pass to VVR.

Cheers!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:04?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Understood. The intention is not avoiding Silver Pass. I’m planning to get back to JMT official through Lone Indian Lake because once drop to Iva Bell it looks pretty difficult (though doable) to climb back to JMT through the connecting trails.?

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 04:11 Peter Hirst via <peter.p.hirst=[email protected]> wrote:

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.

Thank you!? I think you will really enjoy the springs!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:18?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Wow, Ethan, I devoured your book last year! It’s your book that inspired me to choose the Iva Belle detour! ?So lucky to meet you here!

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 09:14 Ethan via <ethansinbox=[email protected]> wrote:

Wonderful?Springs!!? I write about them in my book "The Trail"

Many ways to visit them:

From Reds Meadow you take the Rainbow Falls trailhead instead of the JMT and it's 13 miles to the hotsprings. About 3-4 miles after crossing the bridge over Fish Creek, you pass a trail junction with an old wooden sign, you cross a small stream, and then head off trail up the hill to find the springs. You'll find many small footpaths there.? There are several pools, one large one, and more very hot ones up on the bluff overlooking the meadow. Or keep going a bit on the main trail, go around a corner, and you'll pass a nice campsite on your right after another 0.1 miles or so and you can get to the springs from there on small foot trails.

To get back to the JMT you have several options:

In low water, you can go up over Second Crossing and cross Fish Creek (not possible in high water), then head up Cascade Valley and either pick up the trail to Purple Lake (not missing much of the JMT) or continue on to Tulley Hole.

In high water you can take that signed trail you passed on the way in to the springs following it (can get a bit sketchy) up past Lake of the Lone Indian and after that either head left to the JMT and Silver Pass or take a right and go over Goodale Pass to VVR.

Cheers!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:04?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Understood. The intention is not avoiding Silver Pass. I’m planning to get back to JMT official through Lone Indian Lake because once drop to Iva Bell it looks pretty difficult (though doable) to climb back to JMT through the connecting trails.?

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 04:11 Peter Hirst via <peter.p.hirst=[email protected]> wrote:

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.

Wow, Ethan, I devoured your book last year! It’s your book that inspired me to choose the Iva Belle detour! ?So lucky to meet you here!

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 09:14 Ethan via <ethansinbox=[email protected]> wrote:

Wonderful?Springs!!? I write about them in my book "The Trail"

Many ways to visit them:

From Reds Meadow you take the Rainbow Falls trailhead instead of the JMT and it's 13 miles to the hotsprings. About 3-4 miles after crossing the bridge over Fish Creek, you pass a trail junction with an old wooden sign, you cross a small stream, and then head off trail up the hill to find the springs. You'll find many small footpaths there.? There are several pools, one large one, and more very hot ones up on the bluff overlooking the meadow. Or keep going a bit on the main trail, go around a corner, and you'll pass a nice campsite on your right after another 0.1 miles or so and you can get to the springs from there on small foot trails.

To get back to the JMT you have several options:

In low water, you can go up over Second Crossing and cross Fish Creek (not possible in high water), then head up Cascade Valley and either pick up the trail to Purple Lake (not missing much of the JMT) or continue on to Tulley Hole.

In high water you can take that signed trail you passed on the way in to the springs following it (can get a bit sketchy) up past Lake of the Lone Indian and after that either head left to the JMT and Silver Pass or take a right and go over Goodale Pass to VVR.

Cheers!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:04?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Understood. The intention is not avoiding Silver Pass. I’m planning to get back to JMT official through Lone Indian Lake because once drop to Iva Bell it looks pretty difficult (though doable) to climb back to JMT through the connecting trails.?

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 04:11 Peter Hirst via <peter.p.hirst=[email protected]> wrote:

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.

Wonderful?Springs!!? I write about them in my book "The Trail"

Many ways to visit them:

From Reds Meadow you take the Rainbow Falls trailhead instead of the JMT and it's 13 miles to the hotsprings. About 3-4 miles after crossing the bridge over Fish Creek, you pass a trail junction with an old wooden sign, you cross a small stream, and then head off trail up the hill to find the springs. You'll find many small footpaths there.? There are several pools, one large one, and more very hot ones up on the bluff overlooking the meadow. Or keep going a bit on the main trail, go around a corner, and you'll pass a nice campsite on your right after another 0.1 miles or so and you can get to the springs from there on small foot trails.

To get back to the JMT you have several options:

In low water, you can go up over Second Crossing and cross Fish Creek (not possible in high water), then head up Cascade Valley and either pick up the trail to Purple Lake (not missing much of the JMT) or continue on to Tulley Hole.

In high water you can take that signed trail you passed on the way in to the springs following it (can get a bit sketchy) up past Lake of the Lone Indian and after that either head left to the JMT and Silver Pass or take a right and go over Goodale Pass to VVR.

Cheers!

Ethan

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 9:04?AM Jingbo Ni via <jnistargazer=[email protected]> wrote:

Understood. The intention is not avoiding Silver Pass. I’m planning to get back to JMT official through Lone Indian Lake because once drop to Iva Bell it looks pretty difficult (though doable) to climb back to JMT through the connecting trails.?

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 04:11 Peter Hirst via <peter.p.hirst=[email protected]> wrote:

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.

Understood. The intention is not avoiding Silver Pass. I’m planning to get back to JMT official through Lone Indian Lake because once drop to Iva Bell it looks pretty difficult (though doable) to climb back to JMT through the connecting trails.?

On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 04:11 Peter Hirst via <peter.p.hirst=[email protected]> wrote:

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.

I did that route NOBO in 2021. The section between Reds and Iva Belle is often traveled and well maintained.? The section between Iva Belle and the intersection with the JMT near Tully Hole is much less traveled and maintained, but not in any problematic way. More like all the other non-JMT trails in the Sierra.? There is at least one significant water crossing but I don't think you'll have issues with it in early September.

Ive Belle is amazing, I wish I could have spent a whole weekend there.? Great place for a wilderness zero day.

Hi Jingbo,

????????? I haven’t done the Iva Bell detour, but it’s been on my bucket list for awhile. The JMT from Reds to Purple Lake isn’t all that scenic, and I hear the hot springs are great. Of course you’ll miss Virginia Lake and Tully Hole, which are spectacular, but maybe that will just make you come back. I have heard that the uphill from Fish Creek back to the trail up Silver Pass isn’t much fun, so factor that in, maybe.

Peter

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jingbo Ni
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2024 4:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [JMT-groups.io] Iva Bell Hot Springs

?

Hello Folks?

We will hike JMT SOBO starting from Tuolumne Meadows late August to mid-September. I’m planning our daily itinerary. In the section from Reds Meadow to Silver Pass I would like to take the route that takes us to Iva Bell Hot Springs instead of the official JMT trail through Purple Lake. Is this a good idea??

Thanks!

?

Jingbo

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.