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MTR bucket survey

 

The MTR bucket survey sounds like a compelling idea but to complicate that, I used MTR only because the ferry to VVR was not running this year. Wonder if MTR may have had a bump in business because of this??
 

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I chose to use VVR instead of MTR, and it was the best decision I made on my JMT hike. The folks at VVR were amazing and so accommodating. ?The price for the resupply was about 1/3 of MTR. ?And the hike down Bear Ridge Trail great! ? Don’t let the fact that the ferry is not running deter you from choosing VVR as an option.?


On Aug 27, 2021, at 6:41 AM, Chris Armstrong <sacarmstrong@...> wrote:

?
The MTR bucket survey sounds like a compelling idea but to complicate that, I used MTR only because the ferry to VVR was not running this year. Wonder if MTR may have had a bump in business because of this??
 

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We just got off the JMT SOBO and stayed two nights at VVR. Don’t let any of the weird reviews on Guthook confuse you, VVR is a wonderful place. Very good food and extremely friendly. New management (Mike) is great.?

Coming from the north there were several people that took the Goodale Trail (~9 mi) to VVR and they said it was fine. I took the Mono Creek (~6 mi) trail along Lake Edison. Mono Creek was a well established trail but had a couple of surprise “up-and-overs” (~300ft) that were vexing because I didn’t expect them.?

Leaving VVR, I took the Bear Creek Trail south (~9 mi) which was very pleasant. I’m told the the Bear Ridge Trail (~5 mi and rejoins the JMT a little further north) is shorter but steeper. For $10 the VVR folks will shuttle you to the Bear Creek or Bear Ridge trail head allowing you to avoid walking a mile over the dry lake bed.?

By the way, many have talked about the ferry “not running” this year which might lead some into thinking it was a decision. The lake Edison water level is horrifically low this year. There is a mile of dry sand lake bed between the ferry dock and where the water starts. From VVR you can’t even see the water.?

It’s my understanding that Lake Edison has been drained down so that the next lower lake can be kept at about 97%. Apparently this is to ensure the availability of hydroelectric power for people living west of the Sierras…

Steve Perry
perry240@...
+1-404-915-9768

On Aug 27, 2021, at 9:15 AM, Roger Keating via groups.io <rogerk223@...> wrote:

?I chose to use VVR instead of MTR, and it was the best decision I made on my JMT hike. The folks at VVR were amazing and so accommodating. ?The price for the resupply was about 1/3 of MTR. ?And the hike down Bear Ridge Trail great! ? Don’t let the fact that the ferry is not running deter you from choosing VVR as an option.?


On Aug 27, 2021, at 6:41 AM, Chris Armstrong <sacarmstrong@...> wrote:

?
The MTR bucket survey sounds like a compelling idea but to complicate that, I used MTR only because the ferry to VVR was not running this year. Wonder if MTR may have had a bump in business because of this??
 
Edited

I’m resupplying at MTR. I asked about staying overnight (they normally have some availability if large groups are not staying) but they aren’t offering this service in 2021. ?So anyone who wants showers, food, etc should definitely plan on VVR which is a great place. MTR is closer to the trail and since I don’t have a lot of time it is just easier although it is much more expensive to send a resupply there due to their extremely remote location
 

I echo what Steve Perry said re VVR. ?I'll also add that even though it was a bit of a pain to get to VVR (basically an extra day of hiking for a zero day there) vs MTR, VVR did seem quite busy. ?If it wasn't running at capacity, it was probably close to it.
 

I would like to add an interesting point about VVR.? I have heard many people say theu don't want to stop there because they don't want to "miss any of the Trail".? However, Vermilion Valley is much more a part of the authentic JMT wilderness experience than many realize.

As we discovered in researching and hiking the original JMT route, the Trail was explored and originally established right through the hearty ov the Vermilion Valley, with several important early trips passing very close to VVR.

In 1894 and 1895, Theodore Solomons passed through the Valley and up Bear Creek to a camp at the base of Seven Gables, before moving up the South San Joaquin to explore Evolution Valley.? In 1908, Joseph N Leconte, on what would later be recognized as the first through-hike on the High Mountain Route that? became the JMT, dropped over Silver Pass and crossed Mono Creek and the Valley a mile or two closer to VVR than the present route,? at the low point of Bear Ridge visible from VVR.? In 1916, Wilbur McClure and the Second Mather Mountain Party followed Leconte's Route and mapped it as the original JMT.? In 1919, following his interpretation of McClure's Route, Francis Farquhar dropped even farther down the Valley traveling NoBo to the confluence of Cold Creek and Mono Creek, which is just below the present dam, and then hiked east passing very close to where VVR is today before continuing up Mono Creek to Silver Pass.? I tws not ntil some time after Farquhar's trip that the commonly used route shifted to its present location over Bear Ridge at the head of the Valley. ?

On the merits of the various routes, I don't know of anyone who thinks the slog over Bear Ridge on the modern route is nearly as interesting or enjoyable as a foray into the Vermilion Valley, and neither apparently, did the early explorers and planners of the JMT.
 

Thanks, Peter. That’s very interesting!

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