So a buddy and I have a JMT trip planned for July 28th. We're all geared up, have been training, figured out our resupplies and all that. One glaring problem though is our permit... We got a permit ASAP, which ended up being a few hours late to get the standard Happy Isles -> Pass Thru permit.
Not really sure what to do (we hadn't studied the maps as closely then, and the Ranger didn't seem to be in a mood to discuss it with us), we reserved a Yosemite Falls TH permit, thinking we could just do the extra miles and make our way over to the JMT. In retrospect, while a fun hike, I'm not sure this is going to work with the logistics of the rest of the trip. There are still a few permits available, so I'm confident I could switch if I needed to, but what should I do?
Are there any alternates worth starting from besides Happy Isles?
We're going to be carless, coming from the East Coast, so it'd be ideal not to have to wander around for a few days trying to get permits (and wasting time and money camping in the touristy valley).