Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Overnight Permit Question

In previous year's I have always day-hiked from the portal to the top and back down. I have a Trail Permit for Friday August 15th. My buddy and I are considering doing a last minute change of plans and hiking up half way on Thursday and sleeping out, then hiking up to the peak and all the way back down the next day (since I have a permit for that day). If we wanted to do this, what additional Trail Permit would be needed to allow us to be on the trail on Thursday night? Is it feasible to think any of these permits would be available on Thursday when we arrive in Lone Pine?

Next year we will plan for this two day approach - I was just wondering if this is possible this year???

Thanks!

If you get up to the ranger station thursday morning, in time to snag a cancellation, your chances are good. Your friday permit will be cancelled, and opened up for someone else.

Actually Thursday morning is one of the best days of the week to snag an unused permit at the ranger station. Hope to hear a trip report.

Hiker Neil,

August 15th is a Tuesday. Was this just a typo or is your permit actually for Tuesday and not Friday? I'd hate to see you get there on the wrong day is all. If your trip is actually on the 18th, we have permits that same day and may see you on the trail.

RV

You are correct - I made a mistake on the day. Our day hike permit is for Friday, August 18th. I am hoping to get lucky and find a leftover permit for Thursady the 17th. We will plan to be at the Ranger Station early on the 17th.

Thanks.

Good luck with that permit! If you are on the trail on the 18th, maybe we can meet. There will be 3 of us and we're a fairly eclectic group. My daughter-in-law, who is in her late 20's, a 42 year old gentleman that I work with who is from Jamaica and myself, a 53 year old white male. We will be starting around 3:00 AM, possibly a bit earlier. Based on previous years, we should be finishing around mid-afternoon. Say "Hi" if you see us!

RV