Editing JMT/Permit (section)

===Start North or East of Yosemite, enter Yosemite and join the JMT and follow it over Donohue Pass===
*permits will come from Inyo or Humboldt Toiyabe National Forests,  [http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5253870.pdf here]. Permit applications accept March 1, only by snail mail.
*You will still have impact on Lyell Canyon (where the quota is attempting to minimize impact), so this option might not sit well
*Permit may be tough with concerns about backdoor stay in Yosemite: "fair warning, make your itinerary accurate, account for every day even zero days and try to only stay at the backpackers camp in Tuolumne....get in for resupply and then get the hell out. After hiking from crown lake over mule and burro pass and being alone for a while the crowds when you hit Tuolumne will be like nails on a chalkboard." [https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/johnmuirtrail/conversations/messages/49517 yahoo]

*Start at the Robinson Creek trailhead in the Hoover Wilderness
**[https://awhite4777.pythonanywhere.com/SierraMapperAlpha/default/mapper/t001/n044 Here's] the route; You'll start from the Robinson Creek trailhead at Twin Lakes, and ascend Mule and Burro Passes, then follow Matterhorn Canyon to Virginia Canyon, then descend Cold Canyon to Glen Aulin, and follow the Tuolumne River to Tuolumne Meadows (and the JMT). The total distance is about 40 miles from the trailhead to Tuolumne Meadows (compared to about 22 for the JMT). From Tuolumne Meadows, follow the well-worn trail to Mt. Whitney.
**Your trailhead is Robinson Creek, your first night could be Robinson Lakes (7.25 mi, 9,200 ft), Crown Lake (7.94 mi, 9,486 ft) or Matterhorn Canyon for permit purposes. You'll start outside of Inyo, so the Whitney exit quota won't apply to you. Feel free to exit at Whitney portal.
**[https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/johnmuirtrail/conversations/messages/49959 sample 17 day itinerary] 

*start at Green Creek trailhead or Virginia Lakes trailhead.
**Routes and profiles are [https://awhite4777.pythonanywhere.com/SierraMapperAlpha/default/mapper/t032/n044 here] and [https://awhite4777.pythonanywhere.com/SierraMapperAlpha/default/mapper/t029/n044 here]; same permit form as Robinson Creek, but use the appropriate trailhead. Distances to Tuolumne Meadows are 24-26 miles. I've not hiked either of these, but I'm sure many on here have. I imagine there's good camping in Virginia Canyon.
**"Virginia Lakes is a great starting point.  Camp a night or two at the campground, fee required, or camp dispersed for free.  The area is around 9,800 feet and will help getting used to altitude.  There is a restaurant and store at the resort there, haven't been in either. It's an easy first day from Virginia Lakes, climbing and following a good trail to a little over 11,000 ft. and entering Yosemite just past Summit Lake, then downhill to the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail in Virginia Canyon.  A trip of about 8 miles.  Good camping if you cross the creek and follow the use trail upstream a 100 yards +/-.  Depending on the season this might be the last water before Glen Aulin about 8 or 9 miles away.  Toulumne Meadows is about 15 miles from the trail junction.  You may reserve a permit from the Bridgeport Forest Service Office after March 1st.  I did this route in 2013, left Virginia Lakes early morning, took a chance on water availability and spent the night in Cold Canyon just above Glen Aulin.  Was in Toulumne Meadows by 11:00 a.m. to meet the wife with a resupply.  The only strenuous part was the first climb out of Virginia Lakes and it's less than 1,500 ft. of gain." [https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/johnmuirtrail/conversations/messages/49939 yahoo]
**Bridgeport Ranger Station (760) 932-7070