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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
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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 ?
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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??
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Yes, we can leave Virginia Lake and Tully Hole to future trips, or Iva Bell for that matter :-) depending on the dynamics and vibes.?
On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 03:30 Peter Montalbano via <petertrumpet= [email protected]> wrote: 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 ? ? 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??
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Thank you. From CalTopo map it looks like we should have lots of creek crossings all the way from IB to Lone Indian Lake.?
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.
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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.
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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!
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.
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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! 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.
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Ethan,
Your book The Trail ?is very thoughtful, spiritual and humorous, really inspiring, ?a great read indeed!
Jingbo
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! 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.
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I actually marked all the camp sites storied in The Trail whenever I can figure out in my CalTopo route plan :-)
Ethan,
Your book The Trail ?is very thoughtful, spiritual and humorous, really inspiring, ?a great read indeed!
Jingbo 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! 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.
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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
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I actually marked all the camp sites storied in The Trail whenever I can figure out in my CalTopo route plan :-)
Ethan,
Your book The Trail ?is very thoughtful, spiritual and humorous, really inspiring, ?a great read indeed!
Jingbo
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!
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.
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Hi Greg,
Thank you very much for your information. I’m taking notes of all the inputs from you and others.
Jingbo
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
I actually marked all the camp sites storied in The Trail whenever I can figure out in my CalTopo route plan :-)
Ethan,
Your book The Trail ?is very thoughtful, spiritual and humorous, really inspiring, ?a great read indeed!
Jingbo
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!
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.
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Peter Montalbano