Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board MMWT Permit Clarification . . ?

First, I thoroughly enjoy this message board - you guys are just great! I'm coming from Atlanta in 3 weeks to make my first attempt on Whitney, and the posts on this board have been incredibly helpful. I've read all the books, Googled the crap out of every "Mt. Whitney" hit I can find, but this site appears to have the best detailed and current info. Love it!

My question is this: I have a 3 day/2 night permit for 8/18-20. I had originally planned to backpack it when I entered the Lottery, but have since decided against it. I know that you can't start up the MMWT for an overnighter with a day permit, but I'm assuming an overnight permit will not cause me problems if I encounter a ranger on an obvious day hike on 8/18, my entry date.

Seems logical to me, but just wanted to clarify before I travel 2500 miles to do this thing. I hate surpises . . .

Thanks again for all the great advice and info here!

Hello bulldog34,

I work as a Wilderness Ranger on Mt Whitney.

Think of the old apples and oranges analogy.

The daily entrance quota for overnight permits is 60 per day, whereas the quota for day hikes is 100. This means that overnight permits are more difficult to obtain. In all fairness to those people who really want to do an overnight hike, you need the appropriate permit that reflects your itinerary, i.e. a day hike permit.

I realize that currently there are no day hike reservations available for the 18th, however the Resevation Office will often get cancellations and/or reductions in group size notifications around five days prior to a trip.

In addition,there are either cancellations, no-shows, and/or reductions in group size that occur daily when people come in to pick up their permits at the Visitor Center in Lone Pine. Those freed quota spaces are then obtainable on a walk in basis.

I would suggest contacting the Reservation Office at (760) 873-2483 around 5 days prior to your Whitney hike. They will help you convert your apple to an orange for free if space is available which often is the case. If not, you still have a decent Plan B which is to come into the Visitor Center in Lone Pine the day before your hike. It may take a couple tries that day but you have a very reasonable chance of obtaining the desired day hike permit.

Good Luck

Dave Kirk USFS Wilderness

Thanks Dave. That's my plan once I get to Lone Pine (4 days before my entry permit for the overnighter). I'd definitely prefer to have this overnight permit put to good use if I can obtain a day permit for the 18th or 19th.

My question was really geared to the worst case "what if?" scenario - what if I'm stuck with it when I start up the trail on the morning of the 18th? Sounds like if it comes to that - hopefully not - I shouldn't have a problem.

Best,

Gary

lonepinedave, great to have you on this board! Your expertise is much needed and appreciated.