Below is a cut and paste on how Walk-ins will be processed by the different Sierra agencies. I think the highlighted statement under Inyo no longer applies. Thank you to all who have been communicating with the management for reality checks. The only outliers for Wilderness Permits seem to be Yosemite and Sequoia NF so it bodes well that regional management still has control of the trails and policy.
Inyo NF
Walk-in permits are only issued in person at the visitor center. No show and unused reservation space is made available for walk-in permits (??)
For the 2021 season while our visitor centers are not open to foot traffic all wilderness permits are by web reservation with check in by phone or email and permit delivered by email.
* 60% of the quota space can be reserved starting 6 months in advance.
* 40% of quota traditionally set aside for walk up permits is being added to the reservation website every Monday afternoon for the following Monday through Sunday.
* If quota space is available, reservations can be made until one day before the trip.
* Canceled space is returned to the reservation calendar at a random time within 24 hours.
Yosemite
Follow these steps to get a wilderness permit:
1. Decide where you will begin your overnight hike.
Once you know where you want to begin your hike from, use the trailheads map [1.5 MB PDF] to determine the name of your trailhead. The trailhead information page has additional information, including quotas for each trailhead, parking information, and other details.
2. Check availability of reservations for the trailhead.
The trailheads report shows which trailheads are full for certain dates (as of the last-updated date shown at the top of the page). If the date or trailhead isn't listed, space is available for at least one person (but not necessarily for your entire group).
3. Apply for a wilderness permit reservation.
Wilderness permit reservations are processed by lottery 24 weeks (168 days) in advance of the hiking start date from mid-November through October. Submit your application as early as possible: popular trailheads fill up on the first day reservations are available and many other trailheads fill up almost as quickly.
Reservations are available fewer than 168 days in advance (but not fewer than two days in advance), although popular trailheads fill up the first day reservations are available.
4. If you're unable to get a reservation, consider a first-come, first-served permit.
This process is subject to change based on COVID-19 situation in 2021.
Wilderness permits are available during business hours at any permit issuing station beginning at 11 am the day before the beginning of your wilderness trip. Priority for permits for a particular trailhead is given to the closest permit issuing station. This means that the priority permit station will not allow other permit stations to issue a permit for its trailheads until its morning line is cleared. So, practically, it's not possible to get permits for popular trailheads except at the priority permit station. These trailheads include Lyell Canyon, Cathedral Lakes, Rafferty Creek, those leading to Little Yosemite Valley, and others.
First-Come, First-Served Procedure for all Wilderness Permit Stations
From approximately May through October, unreserved permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 11 am on the day before the intended hiking date. All reservations (same day and next day) and same-day unreserved permits may still be picked up when the wilderness center opens for the day.
Though popular trailheads may fill up, there is always space available on other trailheads in the park. From November through April, wilderness permits are available without a reservation.
SEKI
Walk Up Wilderness Permits (Quota Season)
Step 1: Plan Your Trip
Decide where you want to go by looking at Trail Descriptions, the Park Atlas and Trail Conditions. Find the name of and quota limit for your desired trailhead on the Wilderness Trip Planner, entry quota map, or at Recreation.gov.
Step 2: Create a Recreation.gov Account (optional).
While optional, creating a recreation.gov account before your trip will save time at the trailhead.
Step 3: Permit Issuance and Payment
Walk-up permits can be obtained starting from 1:00pm the day before your trip begins. Permits are only issued during Permitting Desk Operating Hours by trailhead rangers who provide important area information. You must arrive at the correct trailhead desk for the trailhead you are hoping to snag a walk up permit on. Bring your entire party to the orientation. You will pay the fee of $15 per permit plus $5 per person at the issuing station. Please note credit cards are the preferred payment method.
Sierra NF
Trailhead quotas:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/sier ... width=full
Reservations and Fees for Wilderness Permits
Launching in March 2021, reservations will become available in a rolling window six months up to 14 days in advance of entry dates, if quota space is available, reservations can be made until one day before the trip. To cover the costs associated with the new system, the quota season permit fee will increase to $6 plus, $5 per person with the same 15 person maximum per permit. Refunds of the per person portion of the fee will be available in this new system in the event of cancellations or party size reductions 12 days prior to the trip.
• Phone Reservations - For your protection, no phone reservations are accepted for wilderness reservation
Walk-in Permits
40% of the trailhead quota traditionally is set aside for walk up permits is being added to the reservation website and updated with each reservation. Due to the ability to reserve these permits, there will be a fee of $6.00 per permit and $5.00 per person
Sequoia NF
2021 Golden Trout Wilderness Permits - Under current circumstances with COVID-19, the Sequoia National Forest will offer wilderness permits virtually through our website.
Until conditions improve, access for trails into the Golden Trout Wilderness will be limited to the Blackrock Trailhead or trailheads in neighboring Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest. The North Road (FS21S50) and the Lloyd Meadow Road (FS22S82) north of Dry Meadow Road (22S53) will remain closed, possibly through summer 2021. This closure is due to severely burned areas from the Castle Fire resulting in hazards to travelers on foot, horseback, or in vehicles. Wilderness permits for travel from Blackrock Trailhead can be obtained on the Sequoia National Forest through the following process.
Print and completely fill out the Application for a Wilderness Visitor's Permit
Scan and email your completed application to the Sequoia National Forest to
SM.FS.SequoiaNF@usda.gov (monitored Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.)
Within a week, you will receive a response to your email, confirming receipt of your application. Your hard copy application will then take the place of your permit for overnight stay in the Golden Trout Wilderness on the Sequoia National Forest.
Keep a copy with you and share the information with someone at home to anticipate your safe return. The Forest Service will keep an electronic copy of your application on file in case of emergency and for our records. It is your responsibility to monitor conditions and fire restrictions and provide for your own safety. Current road conditions and fire restrictions will be posted on this website throughout the summer.
Both Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest will be issuing wilderness permits through
www.recreation.gov the same reservation system used by most federal agencies for visitors to obtain campground reservations.
In Sequoia National Park, reservations for wilderness permits can be made for trip dates beginning up to 6 months in advance and will continue to be reservable up to 1 week prior to the start of the trip. A limited number of first-come, first-served permits will be available daily at select permit issuing stations in Cedar Grove, Grant Grove, Lodgepole, the Foothills, and Mineral King. For additional information, please visit
https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/ ... ermits.htm
Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits are available on recreation.gov. On their home page search "Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits" to find a list of trails, or search "Mt Whitney" to find Mt Whitney Trail day-use and overnight-use permits. For more information, call Inyo National Forest (760) 873-2483 Open daily 8 am to 4:30 pm. (closed for lunch) May 15 through Oct 15. During winter months, closed on weekends and holidays.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/inyo/passe ... recreation