Would love some opinions on cheap, clean motels people can suggest in Lee Vining for a night and Lone Pine for a night to start and end my JMT trip this summer.

I have heard people like the Dow Villa in LP, but seems like there may be better options price-wise.

How about the Lee Vining Motel?

Any reviews would be much appreciated.

Best buy in town - the new Whitney Portal Hostel in Lone Pine. Clean. Cheap. Laundry on site. Stayed there twice. Think "Motel 6". I believe a shared 4-person room was like $22 per night.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/whitney-portal-hostel-lone-pine


Just a block north of the Dow Villa- where I've also stayed. The Dow is nice, but more expensive, has a pool, etc.

Bob is correct on the Whitney Portal....great place!

I stayed at the Murphy's Motel in Lee Vining one time and it was fine. Nothing fancy, but was clean.

One thing you have to do while in Lee Vining is eat at the Tioga Gas Mart and Whoa Nellie Deli (Mobile Station). It is absolutely outstanding. Below is a link

http://whoanelliedeli.com/

Which direction are you headed?

I can understand a hotel room for the night that you finish, but for the night immediately before starting, I would think that you want to be sleeping closer to the trailhead elevation.

--B.G.--

+1 on Whoa Nelli Deli.


Go out of your way if you have to,
Don't be put off by the Mini-Mart decor.
The line(s) move fast.

The food.... oh yea!

Just down the road from Lone Pine in Independence, I like the Courthouse Motel. They are very backpacker friendly, and the woman who runs the place is very nice. It is usually cheaper to stay there than some of the non-dormitory places in Lone Pine. In Lee Vining, I've stayed at the El Mono Motel a couple of times. It's a quirky no frills little place with excellent coffee.

+2 on the Deli...that place is a diamond in the mountains. Fantastic food!

We are getting in to Lee Vining late and will head in to Yosemite Valley the following morning, spend the day there, stay in the backpackers campround and hit the trail at dawn the next morning.

Kris, do yourself a favor and eat at the mobile station on the corner of Hwy 395 and hwy 120, you won't be sorry!

When is your trip starting? I will be out starting July 24th just north of Yosemite, finishing my second leg of three

I wouldn't recommend where I stayed last year. I was searching for a room and the lady said this is the only one we have left. It is about 3 blocks from the actual motel. I knew I was in trouble when she ask did I want to see the room first and told me that she would have to show me where it was. Only room in town, so beggars can't be picky. The room is about one block off 395 on the opposite side of the Mt Whitney Diner. Unexpected humor from the trip..

I didn't wind up doing the JMT last summer as planned, but did go down to Yosemite for a few days just to check it out. I flew in to Reno and shuttled to Lake View Lodge in Lee Vining. They were nice, it's right next door to the small grocery store, and the Yarts bus picks up at their front door. It is basically the southern most building in town and you could even walk to the Mobile Station if you had time.

Also, I mailed my trekking poles and tent stakes ahead to avoid any hassle and the Lake View held them for me until I got there.

There are lots of hikers in these towns obviously. Just strike up a conversation with someone when out at dinner and youll have a lawn to pitch your tent in no time. Never fails.

If you're south of Lee Vining the hostel in Lone Pine is a great place to stay run by great people. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Steve, PM sent, thanks.