• Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
  •  

SoCal Hiker

  • Find a Hiking Trail
    • All Areas
    • Arizona
    • Colorado
    • Los Angeles
    • Orange County
    • Oregon
    • San Francisco Bay
    • Washington
  • Trail Guides
  • Six-Pack of Peaks
    • Colorado Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Bergen Peak
      • Rocky Mountain
      • Birthday Peak
      • Horseshoe Mountain
      • Grays Peak
    • New England Six-Pack of Peaks
    • NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mount Umunhum
      • Mount Saint Helena
      • Mount Tamalpais
      • Mount Diablo
      • Mount Sizer
      • Rose Peak
    • Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Tumalo Mountain
      • Black Butte
      • Black Crater
      • Maiden Peak
      • Mount Bachelor
      • South Sister
    • SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mt. Wilson
      • Cucamonga Peak
      • Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy)
      • San Bernardino Peak
      • San Jacinto Peak
      • San Gorgonio
  • Backpacking
    • High Sierra Trail
    • John Muir Trail
      • Overview of the John Muir Trail
      • Training
      • Day-by-Day Itinerary
      • Resupply Addresses
      • JMT Discussion Forum
    • Lost Coast Trail
    • North/South Lake Loop
    • Rae Lakes Loop
    • Red Peak Pass Loop
    • Theodore Solomons Trail
    • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear

Thru-Hiking the JMT: Tuolumne Meadows Resupply

July 29, 2013 By Jeff H 10 Comments

WP GPX Maps Error: GPX file not found! /home/runcloud/webapps/app-socalhiker/wp-content/uploads/JMT-Day-3.gpx

Tuolumne Meadows Panorama

Day 3 on the John Muir Trail and we were starting a long way from where we originally planned to camp. Our unauthorized off-trail camp dubbed The Middle of Somewhere was beautiful and quiet, but we had 3.5 miles to hike just to get to Sunrise High Sierra Camp, where we should’ve been starting. If you do the math, that means that yesterday’s little excursion to Clouds Rest turned today’s easy 8.6 mile trek into a more rigorous 12.1 miles.

Sunrise Lakes Panorama

img
John Muir Trail Day 3
Distance: 12.1 miles
Cumulative Distance: 30.5 miles
Total Ascent: 2,124 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 11,095 ft
Harrison Map Sheets 13 and 12
GPX file
On the bright side, we got to visit the Sunrise Lakes. These three lakes were quiet and serene, and would make a great stop if we weren’t hiking the JMT.

The water on Sunrise Lakes was still, reflecting like a mirror.  We hiked quietly, passing only a few other backpackers, and felt as though we had the mountains to ourselves.

Joan stepping across a lock in Sunrise Lakes

From Sunrise Lakes, we pass over a saddle and down to Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Finally we were back on the JMT. We stopped for lunch but didn’t linger — the mosquitos were as hungry as we were.

Back on the JMT

From here the trail winds along the perimeter of the meadow, slowly and steadily climbing towards Cathedral Pass — the first of many mountain passes on the JMT. From the pass it’s a well-shaded, downhill trek to the Tuolumne Meadows.

Cathedral Peak

When we reached Tuolumne Meadows, it was tempting to think we had “arrived.” We caught glimpses of Tioga Road through the trees and could hear passing cars. There were more casual hikers in the area, but we still had a full mile yet to go before we would reach the backpacker’s campground. It was one of those times when a mile seems longer than it really is.

Tuolumne Meadows Panorama

Hari and Jeffrey were already there and had staked out a spot for us. Unfortunately the Tuolumne Post Office had closed about 15 minutes earlier, so we would have to wait to pick-up our resupply package until the morning. Fortunately, the diner was open. We feasted on cheeseburgers and fries. We earned it.

Three days on the John Muir Trail were under our belts. We summited Half Dome and Clouds Rest. And we made it to our first resupply point — Tuolumne Meadows.

img
Resupply at Tuolumne
JMT-JeffYou might wonder why you would bother resupplying at Tuolumne — a mere three days into a three week trek on the JMT. Consider this: you will carry on average two pounds of food, per person, per day. The next resupply point is Reds Meadow — three days further. Skipping this resupply point would mean carrying an extra six pounds. The math says, resupply at Tuolumne.

Middle of Somewhere to Tuolumne Meadows

This map details our journey from our off trail camp to Sunrise High Sierra Camp, over Cathedral Pass and down to Tuolumne Meadows.

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: JMT-Day-3.gpx

JMT Day 3 Photo Gallery

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

Sunrise Lakes Panorama
Finding our way
Joan stepping across a lock in Sunrise Lakes
Heading to Sunrise High Sierra Camp
Coarse talus
Sunrise Meadow
Back on the JMT
Around Sunrise Meadow
Stunning summits
Cathedral Peak
Near Cathedral Lakes
Tuolumne Creek
Tuolumne Creek
Tuolumne Meadows Panorama
JMT Day 3 Overview

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Don’t miss a single day in our JMT series! Subscribe now and get email updates for each post on SoCal Hiker.

Got a question about the JMT? Something you’d like more info on? Post a question in the JMT forum!

Tomorrow, we head up Lyell Canyon.

Originally hiked on July 29, 2010. 

Filed Under: JMT Resources, Trail Guides Tagged With: 11+ miles, Backpacking, Cathedral Pass, hiking, Hiking The John Muir Trail, JMT, John Muir, John Muir Trail, National Park, Tuolumne, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite

Like what you found here at SoCal Hiker? This site is a labor of love. Share your support for the site and help us development of new trail guides and expanded coverage -- make your next outdoor equipment purchase through our advertisers.

You can also subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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. mysmartpuppy says

    July 30, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    Oh those pix are stunning! My brother thru-hiked the AT and the PCT. Changed his life – for the better. Enjoy it all. Clearly you do!

    Reply
    • Jeff Hester says

      July 30, 2013 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks! Thru-hiking the Triple Crown — the AT, PCT and CDT — is on my bucket list. Trouble is, they each take roughly five months to hike! My plan for now is to stay active and healthy, and hike them when I retire.

      Reply
  2. Renato Todesco says

    March 3, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    Hello Jeff
    I have a few questions if you don’t mind, I’ll be doing part of the jmt in august with my cousins and i would like to know if a 3 day bear can is sufficient for food from mammoth red meadows to Yosemite i think it will take us about 6 to 7 days this is my first long trip and i would like to know if i can buy more food at toulamne meadows store. I need some tips from you. if you can thank you

    Renato

    Reply
    • Jeff Hester says

      March 6, 2015 at 1:46 pm

      Hi Renato! You can get food at the Tuolumne Meadows General Store, although it tends to cater more to car campers and tourists vs. backpackers. Don’t expect a lot of freeze-dried foods. As for a 3-day bear can, I’m not sure what that is. I assume someone is listing the size as suitable for carrying 3-days worth of food (for one person)? If so, how many days will you be taking from Reds Meadow to Tuolumne? If it’s more than three days — I think you have your answer. 😉

      Reply
  3. Gene Kim says

    May 30, 2015 at 5:48 am

    Hey Jeff,
    Quick question about the TM backpacker’s campground. I’m coming across this lot late June before they officially open the lot in July (from what their website said). Would you happen to have an idea if I’ll still be able to stroll in and pay for a campground or are they pretty strict about keeping it closed til their official open date? I’m trying to determine if i need to make adjustment to my itinerary. Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  4. Jeff Hester says

    May 30, 2015 at 7:02 am

    Gene, the backpacker’s campground should be open by May 30th for 2015. This comes directly from their website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

    The actual open date will vary from year-to-year based on snow conditions and when Tioga Pass opens up.

    If you got there before the “official” opening I’m not sure why you would stay there, since the post office and market probably wouldn’t be open either. But I suspect you could — there wouldn’t be anyone to chase you away.

    Reply
  5. Diana says

    July 13, 2017 at 12:29 am

    Preparing to thru hike the JMT early fall 2017. I look forward to reading through your adventure. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience. Wonderful photography btw

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Jeff Hester Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Newsletter

Sign up to get your weekly trail recommendation and the latest updates from SoCal Hiker.

JMT Planning

  • Overview of the JMT
  • JMT Maps, Guidebooks & Software
  • 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

Sponsors

Sponsor SoCalHiker and see your banner here

Buy MILE...MILE & A HALF and watch now!

Latest Posts

  • Dónde encontrar esteroides de manera segura: una guía para compradores September 23, 2023
  • Choroba steroidowa – nowe odkrycia i leczenie September 22, 2023
  • DoÅ›wiadczenie sklepu sterydowego – najnowsze informacje September 22, 2023
  • Anabole steroïden injecties te koop: Een gevaarlijke trend groeit in Nederland September 22, 2023
  • Le Classement des boutiques de stéroïdes 2023 révélé ! September 22, 2023

The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series

The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series gives you an opportunity to explore your world while supporting a great cause. There are eleven challenges around the country. Hike or run them at your own schedule.

Flex your adventure muscles!

Learn more here.

 

Search

Tags

3-6 miles 6-8 miles 8-10 miles 11+ miles Arizona Backpacking coastal dog-friendly easy family-friendly High Sierra Trail hiking Hiking The John Muir Trail inspiration JMT John Muir John Muir Trail Kings Canyon National Park LA County moderate Mount Rainier National Park Muir Monday National Forest National Park Orange County Oregon out of bounds Pacific Crest Trail peak peakbagging quote scenic Sequoia National Park Sierra Nevada Six-Pack of Peaks State Park strenuous Thru-hiking Utah vista Washington waterfall wilderness Wonderland Trail Yosemite

Copyright © 2023 SoCalHiker.net · Metro Theme on Genesis Framework with WPEngine Hosting · Contact SoCal Hiker · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...