Judge my itinerary! Appreciate all feedback :D
Hello JMT-ers! I will be attempting the JMT NOBO from Cottonwood lakes for the first time with my brother this summer. My start date is in late June. I spent quite a bit of time researching and building our itineraries, and would absolutely appreciate any and all feedback from you all. The first slide is my hiking itinerary and the second is my travel day. FYI, we are both young (20s), quite fit and moderately experienced in hiking and backpacking (though not to this scale of time nor in this neck of the woods).
A few specific questions I have are:
I'd like to avoid paying the mailing fee at MTR, if possible. I know their shop is lacking for hiker food, but how likely is it to score enough food from their hiker bins for the two of us to push to Reds? We'd get there mid July.
I have a slight detour to Iva Bell hot springs, deviating off Fish creek, causing us to miss Purple lake and Duck lake, and eventually finding the JMT again back near Reds. Anyone familiar with that section of trail between Fish Creek and Iva Bella hot springs and all the way up to Reds? Can you please share some wisdom? Other than the hot springs, is that section of trail lacking in any ways visually? What would I be missing from the JMT?
As for transport on day 0: My plan is to drive our car to the trailend at Happy Isles and then make our way to the trailhead at Horseshoe Meadows that same day. It's an absurd travel day, but do you think it would be feasible? I emailed Lone Pine Kurt and am awaiting a response on whether he operates that late in the day.
Thank you! Feel free to share any wisdom :)