Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Shuttle to Onion valley

I've put in a couple of topic searchs, but have come up dry. Is there a current service in the Lone pine/Independance area that will take me from Whitney portal to Onion valley? Looking for names and contact numbers. I'm trying to work the logistics for a JMT / Whitney trip next summer from here in VT and have hit a wall with this. Thanks.

We did a quick Google search for "eastern sierra shuttle" when planning our JMT adventure this summer. Went with this guy... on time, friendly, etc. and was the first one to get back to us on pricing, etc.
http://eastsidesierrashuttle.com/

I'd also recommend Paul at East Side Sierra Shuttle. He gave me a shuttle from the Sawmill Pass Trailhead to Onion Valley earlier this year and it worked out great. He's also willing to go to some of the more difficult trailheads that require high clearance or 4WD.

http://eastsidesierrashuttle.com/

I have repeatedly received excellent and highly professional service from the Mt. Whitney Shuttle Service(http://www.mtwhitneyshuttle.com) located in Lone Pine. They can move either you or your car between trailheads and can also work in public transportation options to your plan. This service is fully bonded and carries a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission.

From my experience, the crux to completing the JMT is meticulous planning. Glad to see you seem to be on the correct path.

Jim

Then there is the hitchhiking option. I was dubious, but turned out to be a blast. If you've got a backpack and you are near a recognized trailhead, folks get what you are up to and are super friendly. Not only do they give you a ride, they also tell you about great hikes. In fact, my upcoming Labor Day backpacking trip is planned in part around a tip someone gave me when driving me and a friend back to the Onion Valley TH, from Independence, at the conclusion of my own thru hike (from Onion Valley to Whitney). Someone else gave us a ride from Whitney TH, where I put out a thumb, to Lone Pine; a friend drove us from Lone Pine to Independence, though we could have easily thumbed or, I think, grabbed a bus; and then the thumb worked its magic to get us from Independence to Onion Valley TH. And yes, this was the first time in my several decades that I gave this a shot.

So I am dubious no more. Now I pay it back when I can (recently gave some thru hikers a lift in Yosemite).

I have allways gotten a ride by asking around. I have also made a sign and gotten a ride right away.
I have gotten rides throughout the Eastern Sierra, Yosemite, Tahoe with no problems. Even when covered in a days worth of trail dust. There are lots of backpackers out there and I have given many rides when I can.

Thanks to all for the info,I'll look into both services mentioned. This part of the plan seemed the hardest to pin down until now. See you next August, that is if the Mayans are wrong.