John Muir Trail Resupply Guide: The Ultimate Guide for both Southbound and Northbound JMT Thru-Hikers
The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 210-mile trail through the Sierra Nevada in California. I thru-hiked the JMT in August 2021 and it was easily one of the best experiences of my life. Planning your resupply points along the JMT is crucial for a successful thru-hike. This guide provides information on potential resupply stops for both southbound (SOBO) and northbound (NOBO) thru-hikers, including mile markers from three popular starting points. I also share insights from my August 2021 northbound thru-hike of the John Muir Trail.
What is a resupply? A resupply on long-distance hikes involves replenishing your food, fuel, and other essentials such as charging your electronics, doing laundry, and showering at predetermined points along the trail. Having a good resupply strategy is crucial for maintaining supplies without carrying excessive weight from the beginning.
There are five main resupply options along the John Muir Trail (in order going from north to south):
In this post, I’ll walk you through the logistics of each resupply option so you can make a resupply plan that works best for you. I’ve organized this post into the following sections if you want to jump ahead:
Want to get a permit to thru-hike the John Muir Trail? Check out my guide: How to Get a John Muir Trail Permit for the 2024 Hiking Season!
If you’re interested in what gear I brought, check out my John Muir Trail Gear List (lightweight)! For the more recent gear I’ve used, check out the following posts:
Pacific Crest Trail 2022 Final Gear List (almost ultralight, 10.97 lbs)
Continental Divide Trail Southbound 2023 Final Ultralight Gear List
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a small percentage of every purchase at no additional cost to you. Read more about my affiliate policy here.
Rae Lakes at sunrise, Kings Canyon National Park
JMT Resupply Options:
The listed John Muir Trail resupply stops are listed from north to south, accompanied by mile markers for both southbound and northbound thru-hikers. Choose your resupply stops based on your comfort with hiking distances and desired food carries. The mile markers noted in this section are based on the following starting points:
Southbound starting point: Happy Isles Trailhead in Yosemite Valley
Northbound starting point: Mount Whitney Summit (which is technically the true start of the JMT. If you’re starting from Whitney Portal, it adds about 11 miles to the start)
Important to note: Mile markers are purely the mile marker on the JMT and do not include any additional mileage for side trails that may be needed. Mile markers will vary slightly depending on what map set you use, but this should give you an idea of the distance between each resupply stop.
For more concise and detailed mileage for the most common starting points, jump to the Starting Points and Mile Markers section.
1. Tuolumne Meadows - Mile Marker: Southbound 23 / Northbound 187
Distance Off Trail: 0.3 miles one-way via Tioga Road
Services Available: General Store (Groceries, Snacks, Camping Supplies), Post Office located inside store, charging outlets available inside store during open hours
Mail Resupply? Yes, mail packages to the following address, with your name and estimated arrival time (ETA):
[Your Name]
c/o General Delivery
Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Arriving by: [Your ETA]Website/Contact: Tuolumne Meadows Store, Store: 209-372-8428, Post Office: 209-372-8236
*Note for 2024 JMT hikers: It sounds like the store was closed in 2023 due to snow damage, so make sure to verify if it will be open this year if you plan on stopping here!
Located about 0.3 miles off trail via Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows serves as an early resupply stop for southbound JMT hikers and a final stop for those heading northbound. You can either mail a resupply box here or buy food from the store. The Tuolumne Meadows Store is well-stocked with groceries, snacks, and camping supplies. Since it opens seasonally, it's advisable to check the specific opening dates in relation to your hike.
My Experience:
During my JMT thru-hike, I didn't use Tuolumne Meadows as a full resupply stop; however, I did make a quick stop for a snack. On my 2022 PCT thru-hike, I did mail a resupply box here, but I unfortunately mailed it one day too late, so I ended up buying a full resupply here and there were plenty of options available. They had backpacking meals, candy, snacks, drinks, etc., so plenty for a full resupply or last-minute snacks if you find you need more food than originally planned.
Tuolumne Meadows at sunrise
2. Red’s Meadow and Mammoth Lakes - Mile Marker: Southbound 60 / Northbound 150
Distance Off Trail: 0.3 miles one-way via side trail/road
Services Available: Store, Package Holding, Cafe, Lodging, Campground, Showers, Laundry, Charging Outlets, Full-Service Town (Mammoth Lakes), No Wi-Fi, Good Verizon and AT&T cell phone coverage
Mail Resupply? Yes, packages can be held at Red’s Meadow for a fee or you can send mail to the Mammoth Lakes post office.
Website/Contact: Red’s Meadow Backpackers & Thru-Hikers Info Page, Red’s Meadow Resupply Box Information & Form, Red’s Meadow FAQ Page, Email: info@redsmeadow.com
Red’s Meadow offers a convenient resupply point just off the trail, complete with a small store, showers, laundry, camping, and the Mule House Cafe (yum!). This is a logical stop to build into your resupply strategy for both northbound and southbound thru-hikers. For a broader selection of services or a day off, you can take a bus to the nearby town of Mammoth Lakes, offering grocery stores, gear shops, lodging, and more.
Below are all the resupply options for Red’s Meadow/Mammoth Lakes:
Mail or drop off a resupply box to Red’s Meadow, which they will hold for a fee:
Red’s Meadow is in a remote location and offers a paid service to retrieve mail from Mammoth Lakes and store for you until you arrive.
A flat fee of $40 is charged for mail pickup from the Mammoth Lakes Post Office and includes delivery and storage at Red’s Meadow General Store.
If you have the ability to drop off your package yourself (without mailing), they will hold it for $3/day.
Here is everything you need to know in regards to sending a package to Red’s Meadow:
(1) Approximately 2 weeks before mailing your resupply package, first you must mail your signed authorization form and payment to the following address:
Red’s Meadow Resort P.O. Box 395 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546(2) Mail your resupply package via USPS in either a USPS priority mail box or 5‐gallon bucket to the following address (aim for your package to arrive several days before your planned arrival so there is ample time for Red’s Meadow to pick it up from Mammoth lakes - they are in Mammoth Lakes approximately four times per week. Make sure to verify delivery times with your post office):
[Your Name] Red’s Meadow Resort P.O. Box 395 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Package pickup is available at Red’s Meadow General Store from 7am to 7pm.
Packages can be dropped off in person at Red’s Meadow for a holding fee of $3/day.
Red’s Meadow does not arrange returning packages to you in the event you do not pick up the package.
See Red’s Meadow Backpackers & Thru-Hikers Info Page and Red’s Meadow Resupply Box Information & Form for more information.
Take the bus into Mammoth Lakes to buy food from a grocery store *this is what I did on my JMT thru-hike
The Eastern Sierra Transit (“ESTA”) runs a shuttle from Red’s Meadow to the nearby town of Mammoth Lakes seasonally (the shuttle typically runs from late June to September, depending on conditions).
An adult 5-Hour Pass is $15.00. Tickets originating in Red’s Meadow are only available from the driver on a first-come-first-served basis and must be purchased with cash, exact change only.
Make sure to have cash with exact change on hand if you’re taking the shuttle from Red’s Meadow to Mammoth Lakes!
Go to https://www.mammothmountain.com/things-to-do/activities/reds-meadow-shuttle for more information and the shuttle schedule.
Once in Mammoth Lakes, the town has a free town trolley you can use to get around town.
If you want to stay in town, Mammoth Lakes has a lot of lodging options.
*Important Note for 2024: The road to Red's Meadow will be closed to vehicles due to construction during the week. The road will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday for June 7 - September 15, 2024. This applies to the bus schedule, too, so plan accordingly.
Buy food from the Red’s Meadow General Store (there aren’t always a ton of options in my experience, so I wouldn’t rely on this as a full resupply stop)
Take the bus into Mammoth Lakes to pick up a resupply box from the post office
Same shuttle to Mammoth Lakes, as described above.
To mail a package to the Mammoth Lakes Post Office, send it to the following address:
[Your Name] c\o General Delivery Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
My Experience:
I would say your best option is to either mail a resupply box to Red’s Meadow or take the bus into Mammoth Lakes and buy from a full-service grocery store. On my JMT thru-hike in August 2021, I took the bus to Mammoth Lakes, shopped at a grocery store, ate lunch at a restaurant, and then camped back at Red’s Meadow (paid campground) for the night so I could do laundry, charge my electronics, and shower. For my 2022 PCT thru-hike, the bus to Mammoth Lakes wasn’t running because it was too early (early June 2022), so I bought food from the Red’s Meadow store; however, the options were extremely limited because I got there the day after they first opened for the season and they were still stocking the store.
3. Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR) - Mile Marker: Southbound 88 / Northbound 122
Distance Off Trail: about 7 miles one-way via side trail, 1.5 miles one-way via side trail to the VVR ferry
Services Available: Camp Store, Dining, Lodging, Showers, Laundry, Wi-fi for purchase, USB charging stations, Filtered Water, Camping
Mail Resupply? Yes, packages are held for a $30 fee.
Website/Contact: VVR Website, Email: info@vvr.place
Located at the west end of Lake Edison, Vermillion Valley Resort “VVR” offers a variety of services, including a store, restaurant, and lodging. They also offer a Resupply Package service for thru-hikers. A boat ferry across the lake can save you a 7-mile walk, though it comes at a fee of $20 for one direction (ferry service availability is subject to snow conditions and the lake levels). Go to the VVR Ferry info page for more information.
Directions for mailing a resupply package to VVR:
Please ship your package at least 2 weeks ahead of your planned arrival date (VVR only picks up packages once a week because they are about 2 hours from the nearest Post Office or UPS drop point).
Can mail your resupply via USPS or UPS/FedEx. Mail to the address listed on the VVR Resupply Page (different mailing addresses depending on if you mail USPS or UPS/FedEx).
Write your name and Estimated Arrival Date clearly on all 4 sides of your package.
You can mail your resupply in either a box or a 5-gallon bucket. Your package must not exceed 25 pounds.
You will pay the $30 fee for pickup/storage of each package at the time of your visit.
My Experience:
I did not stop at VVR on either my JMT or PCT thru-hike.
4. Muir Trail Ranch (MTR) - Mile Marker: Southbound 106 / Northbound 104
Distance Off Trail: For southbound hikers: 0.9 miles one-way via a side trail. For northbound hikers: 1.5 miles one-way via a side trail.
Services Available: Hiker resupply package service, small store (sells fuel, basic first aid supplies, bug spray, sunscreen, but no food is for sale), charging station, guests paying to stay in cabins have access to full facilities (laundry, shower, hot meals, etc.)
Mail Resupply? Yes, packages are picked up and held at MTR for a $95 fee for up to 25 lbs (buckets over 25 pounds will be charged a $2/lb overage fee)
Website/Contact: Muir Trail Ranch Hiker Resupply Service, Complete Resupply Information and FAQ Page, Email: howdy@muirtrailranch.com
Directions for mailing a resupply package to MTR:
Follow all the steps on the MTR Hiker Resupply Service Page:
(1) Pack your resupply in a 5-gallon or smaller plastic bucket to pack your food and supplies. It must be packed in a bucket (something like this 5-gallon bucket or this 2-gallon bucket), not a box because a bucket is waterproof, recyclable, and helps keep animals out. Make sure to securely tape the lid and handle down before mailing.
(2) Pay the $95 fee for MTR's resupply service by clicking the "Buy Now" button on their Hiker Resupply Service page and print out all provided labels. There should be directions on where to put the labels.
(3) Mail your bucket using USPS Priority Mail a minimum of 3 weeks before your arrival date to Muir Trail Ranch. The shipping fee is not included in the $95 resupply service fee and you must pay to ship the bucket separately.
You’ll be able to pick up your package at MTR from 8 AM to 5 PM seven days a week, including holidays.
My Experience:
During my JMT thru-hike, I mailed a resupply bucket to MTR. It was a bit pricey, but the mileage worked out better for me, and I appreciated its proximity to the trail.
5. Kearsarge Pass / Onion Valley Campground - Mile Marker: Southbound 180 / Northbound 30
Distance Off Trail: 7.4 miles one-way via side trail
Services Available: Access to the towns of Independence, Bishop, and Lone Pine for a broad range of services
Mail Resupply? You cannot mail or cache food at Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley Campground, but you can mail a resupply box to Post Offices in the nearby towns of Independence, Bishop, or Lone Pine, and then either schedule a shuttle or hitch to town. To mail a box to the Independence Post Office, mail to the following address:
Your Name
c/o General Delivery
Independence, CA 93526 Contact: East Side Sierra Shuttle (for paid shuttle to Independence), Mt. Williamson Motel Hiker Services, more shuttle info
From the John Muir Trail, it is 7.4 miles one-way via a trail over Kearsarge Pass to the trailhead at Onion Valley Campground (so this stop adds 15 miles total). This stop provides access to several towns along the Highway 395 corridor, including Independence, Lone Pine, and Bishop. Resupplying via Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley helps break up what would be been a very long resupply section otherwise. From Onion Valley, to get to Independence (a common town for resupplying), you can either hitchhike, schedule a shuttle like the East Side Sierra Shuttle (here’s more shuttle info), or stay at the Mt. Williamson Motel, which offers a paid shuttle service for overnight guests and non-overnight guests. Once in Independence, you can either pick up your resupply box from the Post Office or you can use the Eastern Sierra Transit to get to the nearby towns of Bishop or Lone Pine.
My Experience:
Yes, this resupply stop adds a total of 15 miles to your hike, but, wow, this is one of my favorite areas I have ever backpacked. It is an incredibly beautiful side trail with truly incredible camping opportunities. I highly recommend adding this to your resupply strategy. On my 2021 John Muir Trail thru-hike, I mailed a resupply box to the Post Office in Independence, CA, and hitched to town from the Kearsarge Pass Trailhead/Onion Valley Campground. On my 2022 PCT thru-hike, I hitched from the trailhead to Bishop, which has a full grocery store, gear stores, and a hostel.
Hesitant about hitching? Trust me, I get it. I’m a solo female hiker…nothing makes me more nervous than hitching. I actively try to avoid hitching at all costs because I have so much anxiety about it. With that said, I have now done it twice from Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley Campground with no issues, but this is just my experience, and cannot guarantee what your experience will be like. My recommendation would be to try to find another thru-hiker to get a ride with (talk with them a bit at first to see if you trust them, of course). Between JMT and PCT thru-hikers, likely, someone else is also trying to resupply in town and you can try to hitch a ride together. This is a very busy trailhead and campground - there are lots of weekend hikers, backpackers, and campers, and almost everyone is aware that both the JMT and PCT are nearby. In my experience, the weekend adventurers are super excited about what you’re doing and want to help you out.
Kearsarge Lakes
Additional Resupply Options
Hired Resupply Pack Station Services: Services like Sequoia Kings Pack Train and Rainbow Pack Outfitters can deliver food drops to specified locations and meet you in person on the trail (they will not leave food drops unattended). This is an option for those not wanting to exit the trail for resupply, but will likely be pricey. Here is a full list of Sierra pack train services.
A Note on Food Caches
It is important to note that caching food for later retrieval along the JMT in bear lockers or the wilderness is illegal and can result in your supplies being confiscated by rangers. Rangers frequently seize food stores left in the wild or bear lockers. It's important to avoid leaving any caches on the JMT. Do not plan to store food caches in bear lockers or elsewhere for your thru-hike for later retrieval to avoid going into town.
Starting Points and Mile Markers
Understanding where each resupply stop falls along your route is vital for planning. Here are the mile markers for resupply points starting from Happy Isles/Yosemite Valley (southbound), Whitney Portal (northbound), and Cottonwood Pass/Cottonwood Lakes (northbound). Mileage does not include side trail distance to reach the resupply stop, so you will need to factor in the additional mileage for each stop.
Southbound from Happy Isles/Yosemite Valley:
Happy Isles Trailhead/Yosemite Valley: Mile 0
Tuolumne Meadows: Mile 23
Red’s Meadow/Mammoth Lakes: Mile 60
Vermillion Valley Resort (VVR): Mile 88
Muir Trail Ranch (MTR): Mile 106
Kearsarge Pass / Onion Valley Campground: Mile 180
Mt Whitney Summit: Mile 211
Whitney Portal: Mile 222
Northbound from Whitney Portal (including summiting Mount Whitney):
Whitney Portal: Mile 0
Mount Whitney Summit: Mile 11
Kearsarge Pass / Onion Valley Campground: Mile 42
Muir Trail Ranch (MTR): Mile 116
Vermillion Valley Resort (VVR): Mile 134
Red’s Meadow/Mammoth Lakes: Mile 162
Tuolumne Meadows: Mile 199
Happy Isles Trailhead/Yosemite Valley: Mile 222
Northbound via Cottonwood Pass/Cottonwood Lakes from Horseshoe Meadows Trailhead (including the side trip to Mount Whitney Summit):
*Note: Cottonwood Pass and Cottonwood Lakes Trails are roughly the same distance from the JMT intersection at Crabtree Meadow. Cottonwood Lakes Trail is about 2 miles longer, the below mileage is for Cottonwood Pass Trail, so add +2 miles for Cottonwood Lakes Trail. For more information on these starting points, check out this blog post.
Cottonwood Pass/Cottonwood Lakes Trail from Horseshoe Meadows Trailhead: Mile 0
Intersection with John Muir Trail at Crabtree Meadow: Mile 21
Mount Whitney Summit: Mile 28
Kearsarge Pass / Onion Valley Campground: Mile 59
Muir Trail Ranch (MTR): Mile 133
Vermillion Valley Resort (VVR): Mile 151
Red’s Meadow/Mammoth Lakes: Mile 179
Tuolumne Meadows: Mile 216
Happy Isles/Yosemite Valley: Mile 239
My JMT Resupply Strategy
I started my JMT thru-hike from Horseshoe Meadows via Cottonwood Pass and hiked northbound, tagged Mount Whitney, and continued north, ending at Happy Isles in Yosemite National Park. I hiked around 250-260 miles total (including side trails for resupplies) in 14 days. Here was my resupply strategy:
Resupply Stop #1: Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley Campground
I hitched to Independence, CA from Onion Valley and picked up my resupply box from the Post Office. I then hitched back to the trailhead and kept hiking.
Resupply Stop #2: Muir Trail Ranch (MTR)
I mailed myself a bucket resupply to Muir Trail Ranch (MTR). I charged my electronics there for a few hours before continuing hiking.
Resupply Stop #3: Red’s Meadow/Mammoth Lakes
I arrived at Red’s Meadow midday and took the shuttle into Mammoth Lakes, took the bus in Mammoth Lakes to a grocery store to resupply, ate at a restaurant in town, and then took the last shuttle of the day back to Red’s Meadow, where I did my laundry, showered, charged my electronics, and camped at the Red’s Meadow campground.
This is the rough mileage for my food carries:
Food Carry #1: 66.4 miles - Cottonwood Pass (mile marker 0.0) to Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley (mile marker 59)
(59 - 0) JMT miles (which includes out-and-backing Mt. Whitney) + 7.4 miles on side trail to Onion Valley = 66.4 miles
Food Carry #2: 81.4 miles - Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley (mile marker 59) to Muir Trail Ranch (mile marker 133)
7.4 miles from Onion Valley back to JMT + (133 - 59) JMT miles = 81.4 miles
Food Carry #3: 46 miles - Muir Trail Ranch (mile marker 133) to Red’s Meadow/Mammoth Lakes (mile marker 179)
179 - 133 = 46 miles
Food Carry #4: 60 miles - Red’s Meadow/Mammoth Lakes (mile marker 179) to Happy Isles/Yosemite Valley (mile marker 239) =
222 - 179 = 60 miles
Hopefully, my JMT resupply strategy and food carry breakdown can help you plan your thru-hike. By adapting your resupply based on desired food carry lengths and personal preferences, you can optimize your experience on this breathtaking trail.
Camping at Chicken Spring Lake on my first night on trail (Tent, Quilt, Sleeping Pad)
Resupply Tips:
When tackling the John Muir Trail, having a solid resupply strategy is key. Here are some tips:
Pre-Trip Preparation: Mail resupply packages ahead of time with plenty of time before your expected arrival.
Choosing What to Send: I recommend including a mix of high-calorie foods, a few luxury items for morale, and essentials like wipes and mini toiletries. I balanced between weight and nutrition, opting for dehydrated/freeze-dried meals for dinners, energy bars, gummies, and candy. For some ideas of what types of food I like to eat and pack in resupply boxes, check out my Pacific Crest Trail Food Resupply Blog Post.
Flexibility: While I had my resupply points planned, I remained flexible. The availability of stores like the one in Tuolumne Meadows and options in Mammoth Lakes meant I could supplement my diet with other cravings along the way. You also have to be flexible with the timings of locations and plan to arrive when they are open.
Leaving No Trace: I packed out all my trash (yes, even toilet paper!) and made sure to leave each spot as pristine as I found it.
Conclusion
Planning your resupply points on the JMT is a critical part of your trip preparation. By understanding what each stop offers and arranging your resupply packages ahead of time, you can ensure a smoother and more enjoyable thru-hike through the Sierra Nevada. Be sure to check the operational dates for each location and plan accordingly to make the most of your incredible journey on the John Muir Trail. Remember, every hiker's needs and preferences are different, so tailor your strategy to suit your adventure. Happy trails!
