Backpacker resupply

LAST DAY FOR RESUPPLY IS SEPTEMBER 15TH. THE TIME TO SEND YOUR RESUPPLY TO ARRIVE AT MUIR TRAIL RANCH ON TIME IS PAST.

SEE YOU NEXT SEASON!

Send yourself a resupply bucket containing food and supplies to support your John Muir Trail or Pacific Crest Trail hike.

Step 1

Read our Complete Resupply Information page carefully. By using our service, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms listed.

Resupply information page

Step 2 - PACK

Use a 5-gallon or smaller plastic bucket to pack your food and supplies.

Step 3 - PAY

Pay for Muir Trail Ranch’s resupply service fee using our secure merchant by clicking the bucket at the bottom of the page. You will receive a label to fill out and print.

Step 4 - SEND YOUR BUCKET

Send your bucket using USPS Priority Mail a minimum of three weeks before you expect to hike in to our location at Muir Trail Ranch to pick it up.
YOU MUST PUT YOUR NAME AND EXPECTED PICKUP DATE ON YOUR BUCKET!

Drop off Option

You can drop your resupply off at the Florence Lake Store minimum seven days before you need to resupply at Muir Trail Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is my bucket?

We can’t track it until it gets all the way in to MTR and is logged into our database. If you followed all of the directions on the Complete Resupply Info page, then it’s probably in the transportation stage that it should be, and we can start tracking it when it arrives at our remote wilderness location at MTR.

Why can’t I just drive my bucket to MTR?

Because we don’t have a road.

Why is your service fee more than the other resupply locations?

Because we are located deep in the wilderness and your bucket must come in via truck, boat, and pack mule or off road vehicle. This takes a large amount of effort and crew members to keep the logistics going for thousands of resupply buckets per season. The other resupply locations along the JMT are easily serviced by road, and thus they do not incur the same costs that we do. Please see our Bucket Journey page.

I didn’t follow your directions and I mailed my bucket via some other means than Priority Mail. Why won’t you return it to me?

Since USPS Priority Mail service includes return postage, it is possible for us to take your bucket back out via horse/4x4, boat, and truck, to the Lakeshore post office and start its return to you. We are in the wilderness with sketchy communication systems. Your bucket is handled by 4-8 different staff members on its journey and goes through areas with zero WiFi or cell reception at the different transfer points. Buckets that are shipped using our instructions flow into our system well and are handled with great efficiency. Buckets that are shipped using other methods are not able to be handled with great efficiency and that includes not being able to return it to you. We will make the contents available to other hikers who are in need of extra supplies, or donate it to a local food bank.