Pacific Crest Trail and Local Resorts

     Approximately 49 miles from Shaver Lake, after a scenic drive winding through the Kaiser Wilderness, lies Vermilion Valley Resort, a gateway of sorts to the Pacific Crest Trail.
     The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,665 miles long, stretching from Mexico to Canada along the west coast of the United States.
     Over the past 10 years the PCT has become a favorite trail for thru-hikers. Nearly 3,000 people strike out to hike the length of the PCT each year . Many other hikers utilize the trail each year, many hiking only portions of the trail, known as “section hiking”.
     The “section” of the PCT near Shaver Lake, runs in conjunction with the John Muir Trail (JMT) from Mt. Whitney to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite. The trail through this section traverses some of the most remote and spectacular scenery in North American.      This country is quintessential high mountain terrain consisting of glaciers, thousands of sky blue lakes, lush green alpine meadows, high snow
covered passes and soaring granite peaks. Along the route, the PCT crosses several passes above 11,000 feet: Forester (13,180 feet), the highest point on the entire trail; Glenn (11,926 feet); Kearsarge (11,709 feet); Pinchot (12,090 feet); and Mather (12,082 feet).      A successful Pacific Crest Trail hike depends on your quality of planning and a willingness to stop and get off the trail at any time. Getting gear, food, fuel, and other supplies along the trail can be alot of fun. There are many ways to do it. A main concern of hikers is “What resupply options do I have?”
     Fortunately, in this section of the PCT, they have the staff at Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR). They will hold packages for a $30 fee. Use UPS send your packages to VVR. There is a 25 lbs (11 kg) limit on all packages. Be sure to mark your package(s) with your estimated time of arrival (ETA). All packages will be held 30 days past ETA, then put in the hiker box.      Send your package at least two weeks in advance to Vermilion Valley Resort, c/o Rancheria Garage, 62311 Huntington Lake Road, Lakeshore, Ca. 93634. It is located at Latitude / Longitude: 37° 22’33.56”N 119° 0’45.52”W. It is a distance of five miles from the trail.
     Meanwhile, when hikers decide to visit VVR, the resort runs the Edison Queen ferry boat service, that travels on the lake from approximately June 1st to October 2nd depending on the back country snow conditions. It runs seven days a week with special departures upon request. The boat dock at the mouth of Mono Creek is less than a mile from the

The Pacific Crest Trail runs from Mexican to Canada.
main PCT/JMT trail.      The Edison Queen leaves the resort at 9:00 and 4:00 daily. Pick-up at Mono Headwaters at the back of the lake is at 9:45 and 4:45 daily. Special Ferry runs can be arranged throughout the day.
     VVR offers hikers two nights in the Hiker Camping area for free. You can rent a comfortable bed in our Hiker Hostel tent. Shower and laundry service is available to anyone at VVR. Internet access via satellite for those hikers who need to check their email or upload blog entries for the trail is available. In addition, we have VOIP service for calls home, and AT&T cellular coverage from the beach. In addition we offer several free charging stations so that your electronic devices can be recharged.
     VVR has van service to and from Fresno. The
van can accommodate up to 12 hikers and their gear. The van service runs between Vermilion Valley Resort and the Fresno Airport, Amtrak and Greyhound stations. For any further details visit VVR or you can call (559) 259-4000.