The big change for 2008 Mountaineer Route and Main Mt. Whitney Trail are now considered one trail for the purpose of distributing DAY HIKE permits starting at Whitney Portal. This is now referred to as Trailhead J35 - Mt. Whitney Zone Day Use. What this means is there will be more competition for day hike permits in 2008 and into the future. What this means exactly is anyone's guess but based on last year's leftover our guess is not much. The pressure has always been on the backpacking permits, not day hikes. So rather than 70 day hike permits available on July 16, 2008 there might be 60. The fact that the MR is for those with advanced skills will keep the traffic up there to a minimum.

The quotas for these trailheads are located here.

New for 2008

MR and MMWT Combined...the 100/day quota is for both trails

A change fee...You can now add to your permit reservation, if there is space available.

Timeline For The February 2008 Main Mt. Whitney Trail Lottery

February 1st:        Earliest postmark allowed for Main Mt. Whitney Trail Lottery.

February 15th:      Processing of Whitney Lottery begins.

February 28th:      Last day to submit lottery applications.

Applications for leftover space on the main Mt. Whitney trail will be accepted by phone, fax or mail beginning on:

April 23rd:     For Trips beginning in May or June

April 30th:     For Trips beginning in July

May 7th:     For Trips beginning in August

May 14th:     For Trips beginning in September or later

See the Dates Available Page for the leftover Main Mt. Whitney Trail permits.

QUOTAS – All trailheads in the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wildernesses now have entry quotas.  Cottonwood Pass in the Golden Trout Wilderness also have entry quotas.  Quotas apply to all overnight visitors, whether you use the services of a commercial outfitter/guide or not.   Some trails have specific commercial quotas and all visitors using a commercial outfitter or guide must obtain their permit through the commercial operator.  Some trails have ‘single quotas’ where all commercial and non-commercial visitors must compete for the quota space. Trailhead quotas will be posted on this website in the near future.

QUOTA SEASON – Quotas will be in effect from May 1st to November 1st for the John Muir and Ansel Adams Wildernesses.  The Cottonwood Pass trail in the Golden Trout Wilderness remain the last Friday in June through September 15.

RESERVABLE QUOTA – The methods of obtaining reservations for quota space differ between east and west side entry points, and are described below.   If you are using the services of any commercial outfitter/guide for any activity including backpacking, mountain climbing, and horse packing, the commercial operator must reserve quota space for you.   For each non-commercial quota 60% of the quota is available for advanced reservation.  The remaining 40% is available for walk-in on a first-come, first-served basis, no fee charged.  Commercial quotas are 100% reservable.

RESERVATION FEES – There is a fee of $5 per person to make a reservation.  It is due at the time the reservation is booked and is not refundable. Mt. Whitney trail reservation fees remain $15 per person.

INYO NATIONAL FOREST ENTRY

Reservation Period - Reservations may be made up to six months before the first day of your trip.   The March 1st opening date no longer applies.   For example, if your trip is to start on July 3rd, you can request your reservation beginning January 3rd and any time up to two days before the entry.  Since the quota season starts May 1st the earliest you can make a reservation is November 1st, and that would be for a trip starting on May 1st, six months later.

PHONE RESERVATIONS – We will accept phone reservations beginning November 1st, Monday – Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  If the six months in advance date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, you must make your phone call on the following Monday.  Starting June 1st phone lines will be open 7 days a week.

FAX, MAIL and E-MAIL RESERVATIONS – We will accept applications through mail and FAX.   We are currently exploring the feasibility of an e-mail application system.  Check back at this site for any future changes or additions.

Note: These permit applications are good for all trailheads in the Inyo National Forest.

MT. WHITNEY – There are NO CHANGES to the current Whitney Lottery.  Applications for a day or overnight Mt. Whitney trail reservation will be accepted by mail only, starting February 1st until February 28 for all dates during the quota season. Processing of reservations will begin February 15.

Mt. Whitney Lottery Permit Applications must have a February postmark.

**Due to a high volume of calls, we will need to make sure that reservation calls are kept to a 5-minute maximum and are for reservation booking only.  Please help us by being succinct and thoughtful about the information you need to book your reservation.  Check our bookstore website or the visitor center portion of this website before making your call.  This will help other visitors who wish to obtain information without long waits on the phone line or repeated busy signals.