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Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 11:06 am
by TurboHike
counselor wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 10:51 am Does anyone else read it similarly/differently? I just want to make sure I'm at the ready when walk up permits become available as I'd like to do a weekend trip in that timeframe.
I read it the same way you read it. Every permit must be reserved, but walk up permits can only be reserved 14 days in advance. In addition to making a reservation, you need to call them to actually get the permit, either emailed to you or printed/left in drop box.

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 11:29 am
by schmalz
I'm heading to Matlock Lake via Onion Valley the first weekend of June. (I have a permit reserved) I'll be sure to report back with my experience on getting the permit etc.

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 11:47 am
by Wandering Daisy
I read it that walk in reservations can be obtained "up to" 14 days in advanced. That is the maximum ahead of the trip, not the minimum. The only way to tell is to try to reserve a permit nearer the trip date and see if it works.

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 9:54 pm
by Teresa Gergen
I'm also not sure how to interpret the "14 days." Let's ignore June 1 for the moment since it's a separate issue to deal with the fact that, apparently, on the first day walk-in permits are issued, they'll be issued for all 14 of the first days involved at once. Let's say July 1 instead, once the system is under way. On July 1, can I get a permit online for any day they're available with a July 1-14 start, or for any day they're available with a July 2-15 start? It says "14 days in advance of the date of a wilderness trip." I would interpret "in advance of" as meaning walk-in permits for July 15, not July 14, get released online on July 1.

And I'm still kind of incredulous that they won't have a dedicated phone line to deal with issuing the permit and giving the lecture once you've gotten a reservation for either an advance or a "walk in" permit online.

Aren't there Eastside locals on this board who might have connections with someone in the know?

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 6:26 am
by GGC23
If you check the Inyo National Forest's facebook page, the post announcing this decision to change the permit system has 100+ comments. The vast majority are your typical vitriolic facebook whining, but some of the comments raise the same good questions that people are raising here. Inyo NF has answered some of those questions in the comments....sort of (their answers are not always the clearest). Highly recommend that people go check that out.

For most of the questions that people are raising here, I think the biggest hurdle to getting a clear answer is that the Forest Service doesn't even know the answer because they haven't thought through all the issues that this new policy will raise. I never reserve permits, but this year I reserved permits for all my trips up to August 1 because I don't want to be caught in the fallout of this new policy.

In happier news, Inyo County officially reopened campgrounds and RV parks on Monday! Now if only the Inyo National Forest would get on board and reopen their campgrounds...

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 8:04 am
by Teresa Gergen
Amazingly, some of us are not on Facebook.

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 8:14 am
by Obsidianpumice
I recently day-hiked one of the infamous high sierra passes (Baxter, Taboose or Sawmill take your pick) over the weekend and saw at least four groups of backpackers out there.

I don't know what the deal is.

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 10:58 am
by gary c.
The wife and I drove up to the Blackrock Trailhead on Monday and hiked to Casa Vieja. Quite a few cars in the parking area and a lot of backpackers coming back up from Jordan Hot Springs. Saw for my own eyes that Kennedy Meadows and Fish Creek campgrounds are open. Also had an awesome 1/2lb cheeseburger on the KM store patio before starting off the mountain.

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 11:41 am
by cdevine
gary c. wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 10:58 am The wife and I drove up to the Blackrock Trailhead on Monday and hiked to Casa Vieja. Quite a few cars in the parking area and a lot of backpackers coming back up from Jordan Hot Springs. Saw for my own eyes that Kennedy Meadows and Fish Creek campgrounds are open. Also had an awesome 1/2lb cheeseburger on the KM store patio before starting off the mountain.

I have a feeling people are going to do what they are going to do. Right or wrong and at this stage the left hand doesn't have a clue what the right hand is doing. I have a reservation permit that is paid for later in June. If I can't get through to have something official emailed to me its not stopping my trip. My get out of jail card will be on my receipt. I tried to call 760 873-2483 which is the wilderness permit address but couldn't get thru. I'm sure they are overwhelmed and confused.

Re: Some Eastern Sierra Closures through June

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 2:55 pm
by Lumbergh21
I'm not looking forward to trying to get through to get the talk and my permit. Hopefully, I can get through, but my backup plan if I can't get through is a hike in the Marble Mts where permits aren't limited.