Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Odds of getting an overnight permit ?

So, mid-week in August, say a Wednesday, what are my odds of getting a walk-in permit for one?

Also, how's the security at the trail portal? I want to park my motorcycle there for 1 or 2 nights (and hope a bear doesn't tip it)

Thanks much.

As for permits, I would say your chances are excellent.

This year, Inyo NF staff are updating the permit availability page weekly, and for each week past, they are changing the numbers to show the UNUSED permits -- those either returned or unclaimed by reservation holders.

Look at the page yourself, and see the zeros for the dates in the future of the "last update" date, and then for the dates prior, see the numbers. Currently, the average unused permits for overnight is about 15, and dayhike is roughly 25.

I was able to switch my dates for a two night main trail permit from 6/27 - 6/29 to start a day earlier, i.e. 6/26 - 6/28, with no problem on availability. don't know about August.

Your chances are better mid week but have an alternate trip planned just in case you get skunked.

Just to clarify, are those numbers for past dates the permits that weren't used by anyone, i.e. not by reservation holders or walk-ins? In other words, for those days were there fewer people on the trail than when the quota is filled? Thanks.

> Just to clarify, are those numbers for past dates the permits that weren't used by anyone, i.e. not by reservation holders or walk-ins?

That is correct.

> In other words, for those days were there fewer people on the trail than when the quota is filled?

Yes.

Those numbers for past dates are the count of permits still available when they closed for the day.

Thanks Steve C.

Willaby, You might find this useful and have fun!

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/howto.shtml

You might get lucky if you go in the day before your hike if you want to get an early start the next day,

"When can I get walk-in permits? Walk-in permits are available starting at 11am on the day before your entry date. Reserved permits that have not been claimed by the deadline will be cancelled and made available to other parties."

"When is the deadline for picking up reserved permits? Mt. Whitney day hike permits must be confirmed or picked up by noon on the day before the trip. This will allow other parties to receive canceled day hike space. Overnight Mt. Whitney permits and reservations for all other trails must be picked up or confirmed by 10am on the trip entry date."

So for overnight permits, the reserved ones that aren't picked up become available sometime after 10AM on the date of entry.