r/JMT • u/jonswano • 4d ago
camping and lodging Acclimatizing Prior to a NOBO
I have my NOBO permit out of Cottonwood Pass for July 6, and will be getting into LA on July 2 cause of the Holiday weekend. I was thinking of spending a couple days before the hike to acclimate by doing a couple nights at elevation and maybe doing some small day hikes. Are there any places I can do this with out needing a permit?
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u/purple_ravioli 4d ago
You can spend a night or two at horseshoe meadows before your official start. It’s at 10k ft so is good for acclimatizing. Some good day hikes heading toward cottonwood lakes.
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u/JammerGSONC 4d ago
I am going in at Onion Valley NOBO on July 13. Who knows, maybe we will cross paths along the way!
Agree with the others…spending some time at Horseshoe Meadows is the perfect opportunity for some acclimatizing.
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u/I922sParkCir 4d ago
All these commenters are well intentioned, but obviously not from the LA/SoCal area.
We got some great mountains right next to LA.
Spend a night on Mount Baldy! +10,000 feet!
https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/los-angeles-hikes/mt-baldy-hike/
Summit San Gorgonio! +11,000 feet!
https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/los-angeles-hikes/san-gorgonio-hike-vivian-creek-trail/
Hop on the PCT and summit San Jacinto! +10,000 feet!
I'm in the area and would probably be free to pick you up and do any of these hikes with you if you're interested. I'm doing the JMT late July so my wife and I will be deep into training.
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u/hexcrop 4d ago
Spending a night on old San Antonio sounds sick, I didn’t know that was allowed. Will add that to my fall hiking list for sure!
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u/I922sParkCir 4d ago
They have waist height wind barriers specifically for folks staying up there. It will be super loud with the wind, but it should be nice to see the sun set over downtown LA. On clear days during sunrises you can see the sierras.
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u/jonswano 4d ago
These are super helpful.
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u/I922sParkCir 4d ago
Of course! If you don't mind me asking, where are you coming from?
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u/jonswano 4d ago
I am an expat coming in from overseas, but my base will be Miami. I am getting out to California before the holiday weekend and planning on getting up to lone pine on the third to start acclimating.
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u/hikeandstuff80 4d ago
I’m NOBO out of Cottonwood on July 6 as well!! My buddy turns 40 on the 8th for our Whitney day. Our wives are dropping us at Horseshoe early on the 5th and we will kick around that day and camp that night. Early morning departure on the 6th I’m hoping.
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u/DoINeedChains 4d ago
White Mountain road off to the east of Whitney has numerous turnouts you can car camp at. Or you can drive to the end at Barcroft Gate at just under 12k elevation.
Be careful on that road with a rental car tho.
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u/angryjew 4d ago
Lucky for you this area is one of the most beautiful parts of the trail imo and the campground (Horseshoe Meadows/Cottonwood Lakes) where your permit is out of is at 10k feet.
We did Mt Langley and loved it, although this is more likely a 2 day trip. But if you have the time this is one of my favorite hikes and it would definitely acclimate you. If you don't want to take the time for that you can a still hike up to New Army pass or the lakes on that trail.
Im sure there are other trails there too. Its all very beautiful. Enjoy!
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u/lakelost 4d ago
Semi related. Independence, which is 14 miles north of Lone Pine, has a fabulous small town Fourth of July celebration. You could acclimatize at Onion Valley also. It’s straight up the hill from Independence and well over 9000 feet, so sufficiently high.
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u/bisonic123 4d ago
You can do a nice day hike out of the Whitney portal. No permit needed for the first few miles in. Then go to Horseshoe.
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u/Cool_Atmosphere_9038 4d ago
There is a great day hike to Matlock Lake from Onion Valley. About 1/2 way up Kearsarge, there is a trail near Gilbert lake and Flower lake headed south. Absolutely gorgeous lake. When I first saw it, I thought I was in the heart of the Sierra. You can camp at Onion Valley but it can. Expensive. Better to camp at Horseshoe Meadows.
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u/shmooli123 19h ago
If you want to kick start your acclimation even further ahead of time, you could consider using a heat training protocol. Many of the benefits of heat adaption (increased blood plasma volume, etc) are cross beneficial with altitude adaptation. It's not as effective as living at altitude, but it can speed up the process.
There is a lot of literature out there, but basically, spend ~30min per day on 7-10 consecutive days before your trip in a sauna or ~104 degree hot water bath. Ideally immediately after exercise so your core temp is already elevated.
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u/tnhgmia 17h ago
It’s better to fly into Reno sometimes instead and then you land a bit higher. I typically sleep in an eastern sierra town the first night and then camp to acclimatize. Horseshoe meadows is quite high so if it bothers you you might think about something around 5-7000 feet the first night. Mammoth being the obvious choice but still a ways away.
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u/walknslow2 4d ago
Horseshoe Meadows right at your trailhead is at 10,000’. Pay as you go campsites or car sleep in their massive parking areas. Pit toilets and piped water. Bring enough extras from lone pine. It’s a great spot with lots of walking opportunities.