I'm looking at Piute Pass to Whitney Portal, about 120 miles.
Taboose Pass is right in the middle.

So, I'd like to get a resupply at Taboose Pass, around July/August.
(8 miles and 6000' one way from the trailhead.)

Anyone know anyone around there who might be able help figure it out?
Food and fuel weight would be less than 18 pounds. (For two people.)

I Really don't want to do it myself.


Thanks

Edited by greg23 on 01/27/2011 21:26:57 MST.

I bet these guys would do it, but have no idea what they would charge:

http://www.sierramountaincenter.com/

or

http://sierramtnguides.com/

Sequoia King Pack Trains

email Dee Berner at pinecreekps@aol.com or bernerspack@yahoo.com; Phone 800-962-0775, 760-387-2627, 760-387-2797; or mail requests to PO Box 968, Bishop, CA 93515.

All good advice. Or call Wilson's Eastside Sports in Bishop and they usually have fliers for people in the area that run businesses schlepping loads up that pass on foot.

760.873.7520

i've been wanting to try that route for a long time, but i'm a long way from being in that kind of shape--with my feet going numb on me now it's hard to imagine being able to get there

i'll keep an eye on this thread and update you if my situation looks more promising when it's a little closer--also curious to see how much anyone would charge for that drop

I think I remember it being $160.

Every time I head down 395, I see the turnoff to Taboose, and want to hike in that way sometime. Not sure I'd want to carry an extra 20 pounds up that hill though!

"Every time I head down 395, I see the turnoff to Taboose, and want to hike in that way sometime. Not sure I'd want to carry an extra 20 pounds up that hill though!"

+1 For me, that would fall in that category of things money can't buy.

I went up there a few years ago. The TH is very low elevation so starting in the middle of the day is not a good idea. The road is rough too so if you have a choice between an outback vs. a prius, choose the former. Trail is also a bit rough in places as I recall. Otherwise it's kind of a nice eastside approach and not ridiculously steep as I imagine sawmill pass or shepherd pass to be.

I went up that pass about 10 years ago -- I remember it well and would charge about $5K to do it again with that much weight.

OK, seriously, just reaffirming your feeling that you don't want to do it if you don't have to. It was long, steep, footing was bad, not a lot of shade, had few water stops (I can only recall one, in fact)...

The time and energy it will take you to go down and back up make it worth a reasonable sum to get help, or even to carry more food and skip the pass altogether.

IMHO, FWIW, and good LUCK to you.

Greg, is this a straight thru hike or are you going to be meandering hither and yon?

Edited by johnk on 03/12/2011 18:42:55 MST.

John,

I'm looking at Piute Pass to Whitney Portal, about 120 miles. Or vise versa. Either way, Taboose Pass is right in the middle.

And, yes, it will be pretty much straight through. I want to do this with my wife, so 10 to 12 miles a day. A resupply here would cut our weight down to 5 or 6 days per carry.

And if I can't get a resupply there it will take some discussing. I'm not sure if I can talk her into a 10 day carry.

What 'ca thinking?

Judging the way you hike, you will not need that many days to get there and it will take you no more than 9 days. That is what it would take me. Based on your Little Colorado River trip from Hance and back, you hike a lot faster than me. So you will probably cover a lot more trail than I do in a day. You will be consuming about 2 pounds a day a piece on average with your packs noticeably lighter in a couple of days. Muir Ranch is just north of the junction of Piute/JMT intersection and most folks hike that stretch south without resupply because there is just no easy way to do it without spending a bunch of money.

Edited by johnk on 03/14/2011 00:12:22 MDT.

John,
You're right - I would have no problem getting it done. But I'd like to do this section with my wife, who is more comfortable at 10- 12 miles a day and plenty of camp time. That is the driving force for a resupply.

In fact, I plan to return in September to do Whitney to Tuolomne in 10 days, without resupply.

FYI, here's a link with some nice photos of the trail to the pass. 11,500' WOW!


http://www.lonewolfephotos.com/The-Eastern-Sierra-Nevada-with/Taboose-Pass-Backpack-August-2/1797901_MkFTy#90046337_QtByT

Edited by dwambaugh on 03/14/2011 09:10:21 MDT.

O.K. Greg, I understand now. I underrated your capacity for speed on the trail:>)

Many thanks for the georgeous pictures, Dale. As mentioned I did this hike a couple of decades back -- you even have the same tent as I did then. I appreciate the memories.

Almost makes me want to do it again... someday.

Greg (or anyone else) -

Have you had any luck setting up a resupply at Taboose Pass?

I am striking out......

I have not pursued it.
We are still trying to arrange our calendar.

I did look at some Guide services and they were running about $500 ! Crazy.

Let us know if you find anything reasonable.