by Phil » Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:11 pm
Hey Robow,
So here's the really long answer:
First of all, GP is going to be closed this year, so they might not even run that shuttle. You'll want to double check that one. Aramark is even more mercenary about not running profitable routes than DNC ever dreamed of.
A couple more caveats: I guess I'll also assume that you're shooting for Red Peak. With this, you have to really watch when you go. First of all, too early, and you might not even be getting past Illilouette Creek because of high flows. The gorge channels down around where you make your crossing, and it can be bad, especially later in the day. Secondly, too early, and you will have brutal mosquitoes from the trailhead all the way up to Lower Ottoway, then do it all over again at similar elevations on the other side of the pass, right on down to LYV. Third, the north aspect of Red Peak Pass notoriously holds snowpack for a lot longer than most other passes. That other side of the pass itself is steep, mushy, deep, covered with suncups, and what's under it and the fact that you'll either go down it on your butts or by postholing, makes for some treacherous conditions that can turn or break ankles. So, moral of the story is, time it well and be aware of real current conditions and any trip reports you can get ahold of.
Anyhow, as to hitching rides....we generally find it really hard to get rides with two people and their gear. This is especially true of any time we come out of Mono Meadows. Besides following my usual preference for most trips of driving to the trailhead and worrying about how to get back later, it's one of those pain in the ass spots that has no real easy answer to getting to and from. That said, we'll drive up, park, do the trip, end up back in the Valley, and then one of us will either hitch it or go ahead and hoof it up the Four-Mile and beg a ride from somebody in the GP parking lot (it's easier to beg than to thumb it....tete-a-tete deal). This year, I have no idea if that would even be an option with potentially nobody there to begin with? But, if hitching it ends up being the best option (I assume you'll be with your wife?) send her alone to pick the car back up, sans gear. I seriously doubt that it'll be a safety concern for her, and women are less menacing, so they get rides quicker (damsel in distress mentality deal). If you do end up with a shuttle ride, either up front or at the end, try to book it ahead of time! We've ended up in the past with multi-day standbys because we winged it, so we just blew it off and hiked it or hitched. But, without the typical herds, again, assuming it's even running, that probably won't be a problem this year. On the transportation logistics end of things, the other option is to do it as a true loop and reverse the course, heading up the Merced, over the pass, down Illilouette, then back down the JMT via Happy Isles to the Valley and the car. However, we do prefer the other way from Mono.
As for the timing, even if you were to get to the MM trailhead at 11-ish, unless you're dawdling like crazy or prostrating yourself in supplication every three steps, you're still going to make it to the sites at Illilouette by early-mid afternoon (it's only about 4.5 miles).
Lastly, with a trip like this, it begs for more of a camping than a long days of hiking perspective. We like to break it down by spending night-one at Illilouette or thereabouts, second night at Lower Ottoway, head over the pass and into the Triple Fork area, and wing it on the basis of what we feel like or what looks good (perfect exploration area with plenty of water!). If we're in a hurry, we'll push to Washburn Lake for the third night and then hit the Bunnell Cascade footbridges or Lost Valley as our final night...trying desperately to avoid the backpacker's camps at both Merced Lake and LYV, so that we can actually try to enjoy our "wilderness experience" a little longer.