Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Looking for Main Trail permit for 8/23

I'll be doing the Trans-Sierra Trail (hopefully) starting on 8/23, but need a permit to get me up to Trail Crest.

I'll keep trying the Visitors Center for cancellations, but in the meantime I thought I'd see if I could find a slot here. Any help much appreciated.

EDIT: I also have a dayhike permit for 8/18 that I'd be happy to swap.

Thanks!

I'm going to asssume that you are going from east to west and would like to summit first or second day then cross the Sierra to the west - When you talk to the visitors center ask about openings in the cottonwood pass TH or the cottonwood lakes TH - you can summit from Guitar lake with a day pack (no exit quota required) then leave from guitar lake the next morning headed west - don't miss the side trip to moraine lake if doing the High sierra trail - the sunrises are awesom (tried to post a pic - unsuccessful)
Dave

Thanks for that Dave.

I am going east to west, and am not planning on summitting this time; but I'm doing a car swap with some friends which is why I'm trying to leave from Whitney Portal.

And you're right about Moraine, here's a pic from last time I did Trans Sierra:

From last August:





Moraine Lake is definitely a must-stay location!

-L

Hi, MooseTracks:

I agree about Moraine Lake. I remember waking up to hear a loon call from the lake. I thought it was some joker camped on the other side. Danged if it wasn't a real, live loon, floating serenely along! That alone made the day.

Hoppy

Dolface and Moostracks--thank you for sharing those pictures. Absolutely beautiful.

Brent N.

Bump

I now have a dayhike permit for the 26th that I'd be happy to swap for a spot on the 23rd.

Thanks!

Still looking for a permit for the Main Trail on 8/23 or 8/24 if anyone has any openings.

Thanks!

Dolface, I hope you are aware of the number of unused / no-show permits that are usually available. (See these posts: 2007 and 2008 )

You really should not have any trouble if you show up at the Visitor Center at 11 on the 23rd. No-shows for the 23rd come available then, and cancellations for the 24th also come available.

...and they are free!

See step 6 of V.Fred's Wilderness Permit Options information (link is above on the left in the Feature Topics box).

And last, if you really want to pay the $15 reservation fee, I would guess most cancellations come in no more than a week before the hike dates. So call several times a day during the week before, and you will probably be successful.

Steve,
Thanks for the tips!