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Thru-Hiking the JMT: Tully Hole to Vermilion Valley Resort

August 4, 2013 By Jeff H

Still Below Silver Pass

Day 9 on the John Muir Trail…

Today, we climb 10,900 ft Silver Pass. Our total ascent is 2,272 ft, but we will also be descending 4,121 ft. to Lake Thomas Edison, where we will ferry to the far end of the lake to rest and resupply at Vermilion Valley Resort. VVR takes us several miles off the John Muir Trail, but it’s a detour well worth taking.

img
John Muir Trail Day 9
Distance: 11.75 miles
Cumulative Distance: 93.15 miles
Total Ascent: 2,272 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 24,300 ft
Harrison Map Sheet 8
We clambered back down from our secret campsite, taking the JMT downhill beside Fish Creek. The water quickened as the canyon narrowed, turning into a churning cascade.

It’s a beautiful section of the trail, and we started off feeling good about the day.

Fish Creek Cascades

We cross Fish Creek at this impressively sturdy bridge, and begin our climb to Silver Pass.

Bridge over Fish Creek

Our trail takes us up about 2,400 feet in just over three miles.  If you’re lucky, you might find a great place to sit and rest.

Rest Stop

We were well above tree line, and the sun was warm, but not unpleasant. The views on the trail to Silver Pass are expansive as it winds between a Squaw, Chief, Warrior and Papoose Lakes.

Below Silver Pass

At about 4.25 miles, we finally reached Silver Pass, and took a break for lunch.

Silver Pass

From Silver Pass, we headed down to Silver Lake and then alongside Silver Pass Creek. The persistent downhill trail began to take a toll on our feet.

img
Silver Pass Eats Joan's Feet
JMT-JoanGoing up is one kind of challenge, but the downhill trail puts a strain on the joints and the feet. My feet were hurting pretty bad on the descent, and even after stopping numerous times to apply moleskin and readjust my boots, each step was excruciating.

Finally, we reached Mono Creek. The trail follows the creek for miles, but with a much more gentle descent. At the 10 mile mark, we reach a bridge crossing the creek, and a junction towards Lake Thomas Edison.

We headed another 1.5 miles to the ferry landing for Vermilion Valley Resort — commonly referred to as VVR. We were feeling pressure to get there before the last boat left at 5pm. We made it.

On the Ferry

The Hiker’s Water Taxi

VVR’s ferry service runs from the east end to the west end of Lake Edison and costs $19 for round trip service. It is possible to hike the route, following the trail along the lake, but this adds 4.8 miles to your journey. For details on hours of operation and alternatives, check the VVR Water Taxi site.

The trip to the opposite end of the lake was longer than I expected. It took nearly 30 minutes to get from one end to the other. When we arrived, we found a campsite and headed to the VVR cafe for steaks and cold beer.

Welcome to VVR

Sitting around the communal tables, sharing stories with other thru-hikers we became an instant community. Looking forward to a zero day tomorrow didn’t hurt, either.

Tully Hole to Vermilion Valley Resort

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: JMT-Day-9.gpx

JMT Day 9 Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.









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Tomorrow, we enjoy our a “zero day” at VVR. 

Originally hiked on August 4, 2010.

Filed Under: JMT Resources, Trail Guides Tagged With: 11+ miles, Backpacking, Hiking The John Muir Trail, JMT, John Muir Trail, Silver Pass, Tully Hole, VVR, wilderness

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Andrew says

    November 8, 2014 at 11:11 am

    Haha.. I love the “chair” you found!

  2. Tianyou says

    April 17, 2015 at 12:34 am

    Awesome series of posts. Can’t stop reading

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JMT Planning

  • Overview of the JMT
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  • Our JMT Itinerary
  • Resupply Addresses
  • JMT Discussion Forum

Day-by-Day on the JMT

  • Driving to Lone Pine
  • Shuttle from Lone Pine to Yosemite
  • DAY 1: Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley (plus Half Dome)
  • DAY 2: Little Yosemite Valley to Sunrise Camp
  • DAY 3: Tuolumne Meadows Resupply
  • DAY 4: Tuolumne to Upper Lyell Canyon
  • DAY 5: Lyell Canyon to Thousand Island Lake
  • DAY 6: Thousand Island Lake to Reds Meadow
  • DAY 7: Devil’s Postpile to Deer Creek
  • DAY 8: Deer Creek to Tully Hole
  • DAY 9: Tully Hole to VVR
  • DAY 10: Zero DAY at VVR
  • DAY 11: Mono Creek to Rosemarie Meadow
  • DAY 12: Rosemarie Meadow to Muir Trail Ranch
  • DAY 13: Muir Trail Ranch to McClure Meadow
  • DAY 14: Over Muir Pass to Helen Lake
  • DAY 15: Le Conte Canyon to Palisade Creek
  • DAY 16: The Golden Staircase and Mather Pass
  • DAY 17: Over Pinchot Pass to Woods Creek
  • DAY 18: Woods Creek to Rae Lakes
  • DAY 19: Rae Lakes, Glen Pass to Vidette Meadow
  • DAY 20: Forester Pass to Wright Creek
  • DAY 21: Wright Creek to Guitar Lake
  • DAY 22: To Mt Whitney and Whitney Portal

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