looking for comments constructive and critical. thanks in advance.
we have micro spikes, ice axes and helmets. we should be good to go on the snowy passes given where we camp the previous night.
As u/MTB_Mike_ mentioned, some of the descriptions are a bit off. Night 1 shows you camping at Rush Creek, but that is farther south, over Donohue Pass but before Island Pass/Garnet Lake.
The general itinerary is quite similar to my SOBO (although I didn't take any zeros), so definitely doable, BUT I went in 2021 and there was no snow at all and only one wet stream crossing. This seems quite ambitious if there is still significant snowcover in late June and serious river crossings to contend with.
thanks for the reply. do you have any suggestions for how complete the last ~100 miles from MTR without having to leave the trail for a day to get more food?
I resupplied at MTR and made it to Whitney Portal without leaving the trail, but I was barely able to fit all my food/smellables into my bear can. In the planning stage I put together a food spreadsheet with weights, calories, and nutrition information so I was confident I would have enough calories, and chose the most compact and calorie-dense (within reason) foods. At MTR I repacked all my dehydrated meals and other bags containing air into labeled ziploc freezer bags. (I probably could/should have done this in advance but I was worried things would get stale.) It still took a couple of tries to get everything in the can at MTR, but I made it work. IIRC, I had to keep that night's dinner outside of the can (allowed during the day if you stay with your pack) but I had enough space to put the trash in the can for the night. Tip: Put the food in reverse chronological order so the stuff you need first is on top!)
Good luck, and have a great trip!
Good to see you are brining proper snow gear. How much training have you been doing? That's gonna be rough on your bodies, specifically your feet, as those are big mile days even without snow to deal with. Feet can get worn down pretty fast with back to back days like that and injuries can pop up, so 2 biggest pieces of advice would be to have as lightweight pack as possible, and do as much training hiking as possible between now and your start date. If your feet are used to hiking 10+ mile days with a heavy pack before you start, you will enjoy your trip much more.
Your descriptions in your plan and the actual route don't always line up, just a heads up. Day 2 for example you would be hiking over Donahue pass and Island Pass but Island pass is listed on day 3.
Feedback from the caltopo and what I believe your intended route is"
Day 1 - Good spot, I am assuming you are staying at the crossing there along the lake. It is very nice. The caltopo has a camp 2.14 listed a bit further up past the crossing, that area is nice too but I have not seen campsites there that I can remember.
Day 2 - I think the sites on the south side of Garnett right before you go up the mountain are nicer. Listed on caltopo as camp 04.09
Day 3 - I am not familiar with that camping area, I would avoid staying in Reds though, the hiker campground there is packed and not nice. I dont know of a better alternative. Further south out of reds is a nice spot at a water crossing. looking at the caltopo I believe it is camp 4.23. Its a bit longer of a day but that day is all downhill anyway.
Day 4 - Purple lake is cool, I stayed there on my first JMT hike, it was pretty busy. Lake Virginia is nicer but it looks like you are doing a nero at Virginia anyway.
Day 5 - Cool spot
Day 6 - I don't remember this spot, I think in 2019 I camped another mile or two down at the junction with the trail that goes to VVR, listed as camp 06.12 on the topo. It wasnt bad but no view or anything. This set me up for the climb out of mono creek which is one of the worst climbs on the trail imo
Day 7 - I remember Marie lakes but not the campsites, its a beautiful area so I am sure the sites are good
Day 8 and 9 - 8 is going to be a really easy day. There isnt a ton to do at MTR and there isnt a view there. IMO not a great spot for a zero. I would rather spend a zero at Evolution lake.
Day 10 - Highly recommend going up to evolution lake instead of staying in the valley. As you get to the lake you can follow the shore to your right and there is a waterfall where it empyties over the cliff. There is a campsite right there. An alternative if that one is taken is, as you reach the lake look right, go up that big hill, at the top is a view of evolution valley and evolution basin and 3-4 decent camp spots. I have stayed there every time. Would never miss this spot, its the best on the trail
Day 11 - Kind of a necessary spot based on your itinerary. There isnt much before this thats worth it and after it you would need to go to the camps above palisade lakes which is all uphill and probably too far for one day.
Day 12 - This area is not my favorite. I would either stop after coming down Mather while still high up and with a view or continue up to the lakes on the south side of this divide. Not necessairly all the way to Marjorie but there are a few lakes before that that are cool.
Day 13 - cant go wrong with Rae Lakes
Day 14 - You realize this is over 12k feet? I would back it down to camp 11.18 on your caltopo. Its a thousand feet lower and I remember passing it and thinking it was a cool spot to camp.
Day 15 - Pretty much required