John Muir Trail Section 3: Devil's Postpile to Edison Lake
Climb through a rejuvenating burn zone and a cinder cone-strewn hillside at the front end of this 32-mile stretch on the JMT
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 31.4
Waypoints
JMT042
Location: 37.615002, -119.074852
Red’s Meadow Resort: great diner and moderately stocked store; thermal showers at group campsites; shuttles run to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and town bus runs into Mammoth town
JMT062
Location: 37.375702, -119.012451
Vermillion Valley Resort (http://www.edisonlake.com) first beer and one-night stay in platform tents free for thru-hikers; meals in diner are pricey, but filling
JMT047
Location: 37.538166, -118.969147
Continue S on JMT
JMT048
Location: 37.528915, -118.950165
Continue on JMT S
JMT059
Location: 37.421902, -118.910500
R to Ferry to Vermillion Valley Resort
JMT060
Location: 37.412334, -118.925201
Leave JMT/PCT for ferry across Edison Lake to Vermillion Valley Resort at this junction
JMT049
Location: 37.527466, -118.949417
Outlet of Purple Lake; no camping allowed. Ahead, pass Lake Virginia
JMT052
Location: 37.493084, -118.933434
Bridge
JMT044
Location: 37.591148, -119.058487
Cascade Creek below Red Cones. Hike along sandy piles of reddish cinder, entering John Muir Wilderness into Upper Crater Meadow
JMT050
Location: 37.512749, -118.930984
Lake Virginia, drop into Tully Hole on stiff switchbacks
JMT051
Location: 37.501450, -118.924713
Fish Creek; look for camp rest for the upcoming climb out of Tully Hole
JMT058
Location: 37.438148, -118.907349
Pocket Meadow: tranquil, forested spot along creek
JMT046
Location: 37.563118, -119.034302
Big open spot after crossing Deer Creek. Last reliable water for next 6 mi.
JMT041
Location: 37.627617, -119.086082
Head S to Reds Meadow
JMT061
Location: 37.405216, -118.942368
Ferry landing @ E end of Edison Lake; head to restaurant and store
JMT040
Location: 37.628685, -119.088203
Devils Postpile, basalt formed into hexagonal columns. side trails lead to top of monument. JMT heads S
JMT053
Location: 37.481182, -118.934601
Campsite
JMT056
Location: 37.470150, -118.923302
Silver Pass (10,895 ft.)
JMT057
Location: 37.464565, -118.921265
Descend past Silver Pass Lake
JMT054
Location: 37.475067, -118.929420
Follow JMT to Chief Lake
JMT055
Location: 37.472282, -118.926247
Chief Lake
JMT043
Location: 37.609917, -119.075348
Continue straight @ 4-way, bearing S on PCT/JMT
JMT045
Location: 37.584534, -119.047981
Keep R, heading S on JMT/PCT
Sign at Reds Meadow
Location: 37.629532, -119.088745
Outside the Reds Meadow store, check out this cool sign depicting local Sierra peaks and attractions. © Andrew Matranga
More burnt trees
Location: 37.606079, -119.072174
© Andrew Matranga
Burn zone
Location: 37.607807, -119.073433
Near Reds Meadow, charred trees — remnants from the 1992 Rainbow fire — stand like giant, burnt matchsticks. © Andrew Matranga
Rock art
Location: 37.566147, -119.039154
Random, trailside art on the JMT. © Andrew Matranga
South from Silver Pass
Location: 37.469307, -118.923454
See the Mono Divide from the south side of Silver Pass. © Andrew Matranga
Ascending to Silver Pass
Location: 37.466320, -118.922348
David Taus hikes to Silver Pass with the knobby peaks of the Mono Divide to the south. © Andrew Matranga
Sign @ VVR
Location: 37.375923, -119.013062
© Andrew Matranga
Vermillion Valley Ranch
Location: 37.375767, -119.013222
Enjoy late nights around the fire trading stories with fellow hikers. © Andrew Matranga
Canada to Mexico sign @ Vermillion Valley
Location: 37.376083, -119.013687
The famous sign for PCT’ers arriving to VVR on their thru-hike. © Andrew Matranga
Chief Lake below Silver Pass
Location: 37.470921, -118.925537