Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board 2010 Whitney Permit

Bummer.
Just opened the mail and I'm 0-4 for the last 4 attempts. Oh well. I'll just keep trying. I am getting concerned though that I'm not getting any younger.
What is the reality of finding a couple of days in a row open just by driving up? I'll be doing Cottonwood Lakes and just might stop to see what is available then. What has been everyone's experience?
Since I teach, summer is my only option other than holidays where the family does/has to come first.

Last year in late Aug I showed up at the Visitor Center in Lone Pine on a Wed asking for a Thur entrance to the MT and the ranger made it seem like "No problem!".

If you're flexible, don't mind if you have to wait a day two, and are midweek, my understanding is you have an excellent chance.

I didn't participate in the lottery last year. I didn't this year either. I'm just going to show up this summer and take my chances. There's enough things to do in the area. I'll keep myself busy until I get a on-site permit.

So long as I'm flexible, usually midweek, I've never had a problem getting either dayhikes or overnights for Whitney on a walk-up basis.

CaT

There always seem to be no-shows on just about any given day. I would shoot for a later summer timeframe, perhaps late August and pick midweek days. If ever I'm unsuccessful getting a permit via the lottery, I just go when I'd like to go and wait for a no-show. Just be there early. I think they release the no-shows at 10 or 11 in the morning.

For the last two years, I would just call the permit office to see if there was anything available (whether day-hike or overnight), and then reserve it, if I had specific dates in mind. Otherwise, I'd just show up at the visitor center and get a same-day day-hike permit or overnight for the next day. I did this midweek, at least once if not twice a month, from June through early Oct, and my success rate was almost 100%, But then, I live only a couple of hours away...

Okay someone help me out Please !

I'm obviously in the dark........I still have not received any word on my day hike permit request(s) submitted in early february. (and my check has not been returned or cashed yet !) Given that today is close to the end of March does that mean I have been shut out for this season?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated on this matter

"Just Bob"

When we picked up our permits last year at Ranger Station (Sat), it was apparent there were people hanging out to snag unused permits. I think your chances will be good if you drive up on a weekday. Weekends will probably be more difficult.
Also, It's unusual to get rejected so early, if you gave a variety of dates and state that you're dates are flexible, ie any weekday your chances should be good.

You're not shut out yet. Since you've heard nothing, you still have a chance. I got my denial just two days ago - looks like they are still processing.

All is not lost Bob - I received my permit notification in the mail in early April last year, and my card wasn't charged till a couple of days later. I haven't received either a rejection or a confirmation yet this year, so there's still hope. The problem is that with each day that goes by, more open slots on the calendar get filled. Keep thinking positively.

:)Happy thoughts, Happy thoughts, Happy thoughts

The Inyo released information yesterday about the lottery progress - they're mailing out a ton of permit notifications and rejections over the next few days. Details from Steve C here.

Positive Constructive Beneficial Heartening Assenting Upbeat Buoyant Confirmatory Encouraging Affirmative Inspiring Elevating Hopeful Confident Optimistic Happy Thoughts to All!

Arnesarmy, if you are making the Whitney summit your goal, why not also experience some of the John Muir Trail? I would suggest starting your hike from Onion Valley (Kearsarge Pass)... should be no problem getting a permit at the Ranger Station in Bishop - it's four days of beautiful wilderness (three if you want to push it) and the fifth day is the Whitney summit early and exit the Portal easily in the afternoon- just in time for a monster burger from Mr. Doug...

Hmmm... I don't know if I'd say "it should be no problem". Those permits are available 6 months in advance, so if you're wanting to go in July, they've been available since January. And because this trail DOES get you to Whitney, it's a pretty popular trail.

This is when people start looking for alternatives - if they've already received a "regrets" letter from the Permitting office.... or if they're just starting to get worried.

It's a great hike (one of my Dad's favorite), so if you're thinking about it, I suggest calling on Monday.

I personally like the 5-day Onion Valley to Whitney schedule. There is some beautiful country in that section of the JMT (well, where in the Sierra ISN'T beautiful?). Maybe it's all the special memories there, but it's one of my favorite section as well.

Good luck with the permits, which ever trail you choose.

Rosie

...and don't forget: you'll need one of those pesky Trail Crest exit permits. Only 25 per day allowed, and 15 per day are available in advance.

Seriously - I'm dying a little bit waiting..... where are the permits and the rejections?!?!?1

Well, they cashed my check. So either I'm in or somebody used it to go on a Starbucks run.

Careful with just randomly showing up to try and grab a no-show. I was with a group of 4 that tried that last year. We showed up in town on Thursday and checked the permit situation with the office. Nothing for Thursday, no shows for Friday are released sometime in the morning. We showed up for the no shows on Friday and 20 people were standing around (not all for the same reason, but a few had the same intention as us). They had everyone pull numbers from a box (another lottery, if you will). We were 3rd or 4th in line, and there were 5 permits available. But the group right in front of us took 4 of them. After a 6 hour drive, this was not good news. But we made the best of it and explored up 395 for the weekend. We tried the lottery this year - Thursday entry on three consecutive weeks starting with the last week in July. Denied for all 3.

crud

skunked...

both B & I...crud.

*Sigh* looks like a mid-week hike since that's where the availability is.... Oh, how sad

As long as Portal Store is making burgers - its all good.

I wrote a check............should have given my credit card #. Oh well. should I expect to see a hit on the old bank account BEFORE I get any notice by mail??? (That is, if I have been drawn)