JMT: Segment 3 - Devils Postpile to Lake Edison

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked

• John Muir Trail (JMT)

Located on the western shore of Lake Thomas A. Edison, Vermillion Valley Resort provides food resupply/food cache to JMT and PCT thru-hikers (this must be booked in advance). The resort is most easily reached by a water taxi/ferry since the JMT runs near the far eastern side of the lake. In the event the ferry is not running, a trail runs the length of the lake and can be used to access the resort, adding 4 miles of hiking each way.

Starting out from Red's Meadow near Devils Postpile National Monument, the JMT continues south across Boundary Creek and parallels Mammoth Crest, which lies adjacent to the east. Beyond Deer Creek, the trail remains above Cascade Valley and hugs the north rim. Along this section of trail JMT hikers can opt to take a scenic side trip up to Duck Lake before moving on.

Continuing south, the JMT passes by scenic Purple Lake and then Virginia Lake, two additional serene spots to soak up some nature before descending 1,000 feet down to verdant Tully's Hole. Tully's Hole is a meadow and regularly used camp that can be rife with mosquitoes during early season and often well into peak season, but it is a beautiful and picturesque spot nonetheless. If you'll be hiking the JMT in the early season, expect to encounter plenty of northbound (NOBO) PCT thru-hikers in this area. Note that it is possible to visit Iva Bell Hot Springs up Fish Creek as a side trip along this section of trail. The springs can be accessed by either dropping down a trail from Purple Lake into Cascade Valley or by heading back up Cascade Valley along Fish Creek from Tully's Hole.

Heading south from Tully's Hole, the JMT gains elevation as it makes it's way up toward Silver Pass, passing by Chief Lake, another scenic spot for a backcountry camp. At 10,900 feet, Silver Pass is the high point along this section of trail. Beyond the pass the trail begins its descent toward Quail Meadows and Lake Thomas A. Edison, the third resupply point, following the drainages of Mono Creek down to the lake. - Description by Rini Sugianto, Outdoor Project.