[pct-l] No resupply in Lone Pine / Yes resupply in Lone Pine

[Paint Your Wagon]

Breaker One Nine-

As an FYI... 
8/10ths of a mile before Trail Pass,
at approx. mile #743, 
one will encounter Mulkey Pass/TH. 
It’s a livestock trail and descends into Horseshoe Meadow, 
leading to the equestrian corrals just east of the campground. 
It’s a bit rougher compared to Trail Pass, 
but no big deal. 
As other posters have stated, 
Trail Pass/TH, 
8/10ths of a mile north of Mulkey Pass,
at approx. mile #744, 
if traveling NOBO, 
offers another option down into Horseshoe Meadow, 
intersecting the trail leading from the campground west to Cottonwood Pass. 
Continuing north on the PCT for approximately 5 miles, 
Cottonwood Pass/TH,
at approx. mile #750, 
gives the hiker another option to drop down into Horseshoe Meadow. 
NOTE: This also marks the point where one must begin toting a bear canister.

I hitched a ride with another hiker into Lone Pine, 
easily enough in early October, of 2012, 
when the campground was fully open. 
3 weeks later, 
the USFS had cut off the water supply to the campground’s spigots, 
and the place was empty. 
I walked 12 miles down hill, 
before getting a ride. 
I saw 3 vehicles all day long. 
I was fully prepared to walk 22 miles down into Lone Pine. 
NOTE: I could still get water from the stream in Horseshoe Meadow.

I met the lady (Julie Fought) that is one half partner of the De La Cour Ranch, 
5000 Horseshoe Meadow Road, 
which is located approximately 13 miles down from Horseshoe Meadow, 
in Lone Pine, 
at the (then traditional) community bread bake, 
located in the IOU community demonstration garden. 
She offered me vittles and a place to stay at the ranch, 
and in return I worked as a carpenter/ranch hand/handyman/errand boy/etc., 
until leaving Dec., 23rd. 
Julie’s partner, 
Coale Johnson, 
happens to be one hell of a musician, 
and his music can be sampled and purchased online with just a bit of research.

They grow organic lavender and vegetables, 
amend (make) soil, 
offer pack animals for hire at times,
guide services, 
and have 3 cabins for rent, 
at around a hundred bucks a night, 
and well worth it. 
They are hiker friendly and can be petitioned for help in a pinch.

The Mt Whitney Hostel had a dorm room with 5 bunk beds at $25 a pop. 
The hostel changed hands in 2013-2014, 
and was leased to the grandson of Dave McCoy, 
the founder of Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort. 
The hostel is now back in the hands of the original owner and a room goes for $55, 
which can be split by as many as 4 people. 
Doug, 
the owner, 
also operates the Mt Whitney Portal Store, 
offering beer, 
gear, 
and a plate of French fries ($3) that are to die for, 
especially when lathered in Mayonaise.

The Ranger Station, 
about 4 miles south of town,
is where one can get a Mt. Whitney permit.
They allocate somewhere around 20,000 permits for the season.
First come, first serve, being the policy,
so getting one right now online (if open or possible,) 
is the way to go.

There are numerous motels in town along with the historic Dow Villa Hotel. 
FWIW: John Wayne stayed there during the filming of a movie, 
likely staying there on more than one occasion. 
My self and another hiker rented a room sans a shower for $60.

The hostel charges $5 for a shower as does the Dow Villa.

There’s a public/county campground (Portagee Joe’s) one mile west of town just south of the Mt Whitney Portal Rd., 
that has water spigots, 
pit toilets, 
picnic tables, 
fire rings, 
and a stream running through it for $10 a night. 
There’s a campground (Lone Pine) further up the Portal Rd., 
and dozens upon dozens of campground sites at the Portal itself. 

One can also camp on BLM land at campsites located along Tuttle Creek. 
Obviously, 
there is water (in the creek) and pit toilets. 
This site is on Horseshoe Meadow Rd., 
and is at least 5 miles west of Lone Pine. 
I’m not sure if water is piped in or not?

If one is in dire financial straights, 
they might find relief in stealth camping on LADWP land or BLM land (at their own risk of course,)
near such facilities.
Nudge nudge,
wink wink,
say no more say no more. 

There are 3 gear stores in town. 
One is mostly a traditional sporting goods store, 
with a minimum of hiking gear, 
one is a hybrid with about a fifty fifty mix of sporting goods and hiking gear, 
and one is all about hiking/climbing. 
Sierra Elevations is the name of said store and is run by my personal friends, 
Jon & Kastle. 
The employees are all active in outdoor activities. 
PCT thru hikers are given a 10% discount on their purchases. 
The employees can help in finding rides either to Mt Whitney, 
or Horseshoe Meadow.

The ESTA shuttle has daily service running north and south, 
on HWY 395, 
and Mon, Wed, and Fri, 
a shuttle runs from Reno, 
to Lancaster, 
and from Lancaster, 
to Reno. 

Joseph’s Market is a small grocery store with about everything a hiker could ask for, 
and for some inexplicable reason, 
just about every item in there runs about $5 or more. 
Ouch! 

My favorite restaurant (and there are several others to choose from) is Margie’s Merry Go Round- 
it’s Chinese cuisine, 
and WED-FRI, 
there is an all you can eat buffet, 
in the $10.99/$11.99/$12.99 price range. 
You will not go away hungry. 
Judy, 
the proprietor, 
will likely ask you repeatedly if you want her to cook more food for you, 
if she sees the serving dishes running low. 
Dan, 
her husband, 
drove me to Portagee Joe’s campground my first night in town.

Season’s, 
another favorite, 
has the somewhat pricey gourmet meals... 
but oh so delicious. 
Steak being a specialty. 

Alabama Hills Café is the place to go for breakfast. 
There’s usually day old pastries, cookies and breads for sale at reduced prices.

The Bistro is a good place for gourmet coffees, 
soups and sandwiches, 
and especially noteworthy,
ice creams of all manner.
Plus,
they have wifi and a couple of PC’s and a printer for use at a nominal fee.

There’s a library with PC’s and a printer, 
post office, 
hardware store, 
2 banks and 2 bars,
and a pizza parlor. 

Also, 
the Lone Pine Film Museum is here, 
and there’s almost always a free film shown at least once a week. 
Donations are gladly accepted. 
NOTE: Over 400 movies have been filmed near Lone Pine, 
mostly in the Alabama Hills. 
There is a film festival/parade in the fall. 

For the equestrian, 
there is a tack/feed store south of town, 
and a western wear store (Loyd’s) on the main drag, 
that offers leather, 
boots/shoes and tack repair.

For the beer connoisseur, 
Mammoth Brewery’s double IPA 395, 
at 8% ABV, 
using locally grown sage and juniper, 
can be had at Mark’s Chevron gas station on the north side of town, 
and Lee’s Mobil gas station on the south side of town, 
as well as Joseph’s Market, 
which also has a well stocked liquor and wine selection. 

There’s the old standards in town too- A Carl’s Jr., a Subway and a McDonalds.

You can tell em’ Paint Your Wagon sent ya’...

Happy Trails