High Sierra Topix

Where did you read that you can get a HD permit fro the Inyo National Forest? the only place you can get a HD permit is Yosemite these days. And If you are heading out of Cottonwood Lakes, you aren't going to get a HD permit without contacting Yosemite and asking them for one.

@balzaccom, -- It's posted earlier in this thread by AlmostThere, text taken straight from the NPS web page that explains how to get a Half Dome permit. Doing the JMT from Cottonwood Lakes is listed as one of two exceptions where the Inyo permit includes Half Dome.

If it's not explicitly written on the permit and you want some assurance what do you do? You can print out the web page and carry that to show the ranger. Or try sending a letter to the Yosemite Wilderness office and ask for a written note. Or call. It's a bit of work to get through but it is possible.


My personal opinion is that it's a bad policy. It's a loophole that some people will take advantage of to climb Half Dome from Tuolumne or Tenaya Lake or even as a day trip from the Valley. But it is the current rule, or at least the NPS website lists it as such.

From this web page: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/ ... ermits.htm

Hiking Half Dome with a Wilderness Permit Issued Outside Yosemite
Wilderness permits issued outside of Yosemite are no longer valid for hiking Half Dome. If you're beginning your backpacking trip outside of Yosemite, you'll need a Half Dome permit, which you can apply for using the lotteries. There are two exceptions to this rule: if you're hiking the John Muir Trail and starting at Cottonwood Lakes or Cottonwood Pass trailheads, your Inyo National Forest wilderness permit is valid for hiking Half Dome. These are the only two trailheads outside Yosemite that have this exception.

If I were going NOBO on the JMT, I would print this page to show the rangers in Yosemite.

Yow. I can only imagine the fun this creates...

The Rangers at the base of sub Dome don't really have any problem with the system and it seems to work fine when I was there last. In terms of acquiring those Half Dome permits for an Agnew Meadows trailheading, it's the lottery system and my boys have already sent in their application.