Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Been Gone for 15 Months - What Are the Rules?

Long Story Short - arrived in PA 28 Feb 2020 intending to be here 2-3 weeks. COVID hit and I've ben in PA ever since caring for my disabled son. Driving back to CA next week with plans to do a series of training hikes out of Horseshoe Meadows over Trail Pass, then a two week loop over Cottonwood Pass to Miter Basin/Crabtree Pass, Upper Kern with no firm plan, agenda or clue.

In the past, because dates were unsure, was able to get a 1-person walkin permit for either Cottonwood or Trail Passes. Now I get a gotta reserve online (and pay) message.

So what does one do if unsure of dates? Are there no longer walkins available? Hate to reserve and pay for multiple trips over Trail Pass where there are no quotas.

Call the Inyo Wilderness Office (open 8:00-4:30 7 days a week) at 760 873 2483 to get "the rules."

This season there seems to be an increased demand to enter the Wilderness, so we all must adjust our way of thinking a little.

With the hiking season starting so early this year (a PCT hiker's dream), everyone should still be able to find an opportunity to accumulate some blisters on the trails.

Jim