Wilderness Permit Information (updated 2/29/00)
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All over night trips in the California wilderness areas require a backcountry permit. Currently day trips do not require a wilderness permit, except for the Mount Whitney Trail. A quota system is in place on many of the popular trails between June 15 and September 15 and until October 15 for the Mount Whitney Trail. Wildernes permits and maps can be obtained from the respective US Forest Service Office or National Park office listed below.
Contents: [National Parks] [U.S Forest Service] [Inyo National Forest and Mount Whitney Trail Permits]
Campground Reservations--Most Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Campgrounds are first come first served but some can be reserved. Phone: 800-365-2267, 888-530-9796 TDD, or 301-722-1257 (International calls). Web site: http://reservations.nps.gov
Lassen Volcanic National Park
P.O. Box 100
Mineral, CA 96063. Phone: (530) 595-4444Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
47050 Generals Highway, HCR 89 Box 60, Three Rivers, CA 93271
Phone: (559) 565-3708 (backcountry office) or (559) 565-3134 (general), 559-565-3341 (wilderness office), Fax: 559-565-4239Pear Lake Hut--the finest wilderness hut in the Sierra. Located in Sequoia National Park in prime backcountry ski terrain. Sleeps 10 and is available for winter reservations only.Sequoia National History Association--HCR 89 Box 10, Three Rivers, CA 93271, Phone: 559-565-3759, Web site: http://www.sequoiahistory.org
Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Phone: (209) 372-0740 or (209) 372-0200 or (209) 372-0265.U.S. Forest Service--link to any Virtual Vistor Center in the nation.
U.S. Forest Service, California--access to any Ranger District virtual vistor center in California--trails, campgrounds, wilderness permits, etc. Some selected California Ranger District Offices (from north to south) are noted below:
National Recreation Reservation Service--many USFS campground sites require reservations. To make a reservation for USFS campgrounds in the U.S. call 877-444-6777, or 800-280-2267, or 877-833-677 TDD, or 518-885-3639 International calls or go to their web page to reserve a campground site. Web site: http://www.reserveusa.com
Mount Shasta Ranger District
204 West Alma Street
Mount Shasta City, CA 96067
Phone: (530) 926-4511El Dorado National Forest
100 Forni Road
Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 622-5061 or (530) 573-2600 (Lake Tahoe Basin)Toiyabe National Forest
Bridgeport Ranger District
P.O. Box 595 (Highway 395)
Bridgeport, CA 93517
Phone (760) 932-7070Inyo National Forest Wilderness Reservation Office
Permit Reservations (beginning March 1, of each year for all non-Whitney Zone permits)
873 North Main Street
Bishop, CA 93514
or 760-873-2484 FAXPermit Reservations (Whitney Zone permits will be issued through a lottery and must be postmarked in February)(see discussion on Mount Whitney wilderness permit process below)
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Reservation Office
873 North Main Street
Bishop, CA 93514
or 760-873-2484 FAX
Questions call the Wilderness Information Line at 760-873-2485Inyo National Forest
Mount Whitney Ranger District
P.O. Box 8 (Highway 395)
Lone Pine, CA 93545
Phone: (760) 876-6200Inyo National Forest
White Mountain Ranger District
798 N. Main Street (Highway 395)
Bishop, CA 93514
Phone: (760) 873-2500Inyo National Forest
Mammoth Ranger District
P.O. Box 148 (Highway 203)
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Phone: (760) 924-5500Inyo National Forest
Mono Lake Ranger District
P.O. Box 10 (Highway 120)
Lee Vinning, CA 93541
(760) 647-3044Inyo National Forest and Mount Whitney Trail Wilderness Permits
Wilderness Permits are required year-round on all trails described in this guide. During the busy season these trailheads are also subject to wilderness quotas that limit the number of hikers allowed to enter the backcountry each day. It is recommended that a wilderness permit reservation be made well in advance of your departure date for trips commencing during the quota season. For trips occurring outside the quota period, a permit can be secured the day of the trip at the issuing ranger station.
While the National Park Service and the Forest Service believe that the details of their respective permit systems will be in place for many years to come, they are also open to suggestions for improving the system and may make adjustments to it from time to time. Check with the Forest Service and National Park Service for current procedures.
Mount Whitney Zone
Due to the fragile alpine environment and the heavy usage of the area around Mount Whitney, the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks have created a special designation called the Mount Whitney Zone. This 15-square mile area surrounding Mount Whitney was necessary to assist in the management and preservation of the area. This zone has special quotas for both day hikers and backpackers. The quotas in this zone are in place during the period May 15 through November 1 of each year.
So that the number of hikers entering the Mount Whitney Zone can be effectively managed, Mount Whitney Zone quotas have been placed on many trailheads even though they originate far from Mount Whitney. As an example, the Kearsarge Pass Trail has an overall daily quota of 60. However, of this overall quota, only 24 can be hikers destined for Mount Whitney. Trails originating in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have an overall quota just as the Forest Service trails, but the Park Service does not place a secondary Mount Whitney Zone quota on their trailheads.
Mount Whitney Trail
For the Mount Whitney Trail, wilderness permit quotas are in place from May 15 to November 1 of each year. A permit is required whether a single-day or a multi-day trip is planned. Currently, a maximum of 150 day-use hikers and 50 multi-day hikers are allowed to begin their trip on the Mount Whitney Trail each day.
For the Mount Whitney Trail reservations will only be accepted during the month of February. Applications postmarked/faxed any other month will be rejected. All requests for a permit, whether for day use or multi-day use, postmarked in February, will be placed in a lottery. Permit requests will be randomly selected and processed one by one until permit space is no longer available for the entire quota season. If successful in securing a permit, it will be mailed to you. If unsuccessful, your application and fee will be returned. To help defray the cost of the permit system and enhance services to the public a small fee will be charged for each hiker and must accompany the reservation application.
All the permits for the Mount Whitney Trail (a maximum of 150 day-use hikers and 50 multi-day hikers) will be made available through the lottery. It is expected that all dates will be completely booked through this process. Cancellations and any unreserved dates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis the day before or day of departure.
Mount Whitney's Mountaineers Route
The Mountaineers trail and route initially start up the Mount Whitney Trail but quickly leave the trail to ascend the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek via an unmaintained climber's trail. A day use permit is not required. However, a permit for a multi-day excursion is required. To secure advanced reservations send your request in to the Forest Service anytime after March 1, as these routes are not subject to the Mount Whitney Trail lottery system.
All Other Trails Originating in the Inyo National Forest
The U.S. Forest Service has used several different permit reservation systems in the past with varying degrees of success. Currently approximately 60% of Inyo National Forest wilderness permits will be available by reservation and 40% by first-come, first-served walk-ins, except for the Mount Whitney Trail where 100% will be available through reservations. The wilderness permit reservation period begins on March 1st of each year for all Inyo National Forest trails except the Mount Whitney Trail. On this date a reservation can be made for any date in the calendar year. Reservations will be accepted up to 21 days in advance of the trip, after which time wilderness permits are available only on a first-come basis. A small fee will be charged for each reservation.
Reservations postmarked prior to March 1 will be returned. Permit requests will be processed in order of the postmark/fax date. The more alternate dates listed on the application, the greater the probability of receiving a wilderness permit. Successful applicants will be notified by mail with instructions for the location where the permit is to be picked up. All permits, whether a reservation or first-come, first-served must be picked up in person. If unsuccessful, the application and fee will be returned.
Although, the permit quota system is in place from the last Friday in June through September 15 for Routes 1-5 and 7-9, the entry into the Mount Whitney Zone is managed from May 15 through November 1. Make sure you specify on your wilderness permit reservation application that you will be entering the Mount Whitney Zone and be sure to include the correct fee for the Mount Whitney Zone.
Where to Send Your Wilderness Pemit Application
During the month of February for Mount Whitney Trail and beginning March 1st for all other Inyo National Forest trails, mail or fax your wilderness permit application to:
Wilderness Reservation Office, Inyo National Forest, 873 North Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514, or fax 760-873-2484.
Questions can be e-mailed through the web site or call: Wilderness Information Line: 760-873-2408.
Web site: Questions can be e-mailed through the web site or call: Wilderness Information Line: 760-873-2485 or web site: http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/inyo and http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/inyo/vvc/permits.htmPermits sought within 21 days of departure are only available on a first-come, first-served basis, the day before and the day of the trip. Unreserved, walk up permits for Routes 1-9 can be secured at:
Inyo National Forest, Mount Whitney Ranger Station, 640 South Main Street, Lone Pine, CA 93545. Phone: 760-876-6200.
Or from any Inyo National Forest Ranger Station/Visitor Center (Mono Basin in Lee Vining, Mammoth in Mammoth Lakes, White Mountain in Bishop, and Mount Whitney in Lone Pine)
Trails Originating in the National Park
For those trails originating in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks a wilderness permit is required from the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Advanced reservations are recommended (but not required) for all trips between May 21 through September 21. Wilderness permit advanced reservations are highly recommended for trips starting during a holiday period or on a weekend. Trips starting in mid-week are usually easier to secure.
Wilderness permit reservations can be made starting on March 1 of each year and can be made 21 days in advance of the date of departure. The National Park Service Wilderness Office confirms permit reservations by mail. However, the actual wilderness permit must be picked up at the Ranger Station/Visitor Center near the trailhead by 9:00 a.m. the day of departure or the afternoon before. Reserved permits can be picked up at the Cedar Grove Visitor Center or Roads End for Route 10, Lodgepole Visitor Center for Route 11 and at the Mineral King Ranger Station for Routes 12 and 13.
The Sequoia Bark, the free park newspaper provides details on campgrounds, lodging, food, showers and laundry. The park also produces Backcountry Basics, a useful newspaper-type publication detailing wilderness permit requirements, wilderness safety, trailheads and the backcountry. To receive a copy of the Sequoia Bark or Backcountry Basics, contact Visitor Information at the address and phone number below.
Each trail has a daily entry quota of which approximately 66% are available for advanced reservations. To make reservations for the routes originating in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, write or fax: Wilderness Permit Reservations, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, HCR 89 Box 60, Three Rivers, CA 93271. Phone: 559-565-3766 or 559-565-3341. Fax: 559-565-4239.
Web site: http://www.nps.gov/seki.First-come, first-served wilderness permits may be issued after 1:00 p.m. the afternoon before the trip or the morning of the trip. If the quota for the desired trail is full, you will have to choose another trial or another day to start. So that you are not in this unfortunate position, advanced reservations are encouraged. First-come, first served wilderness permits are issued at a Visitor Center or Ranger Station near the trailhead: Cedar Grove Visitor Center or Roads End Ranger Station for Route 10, Lodgepole Visitor Center for Route 11 and at the Mineral King Ranger Station for Routes 12 and 13.
Whether a wilderness permit reservation is requested or you secure a first-come, first-served permit, make sure that you request permission to enter the Mount Whitney Zone.
Backcountry_Resource_Center--Paul
Richins, Jr.
www.jps.net/prichins/backcountry_resource_center.htm
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