Inyo National Forest
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Inyo National Forest 760-873-2400 |
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Recreational Activities - Trailhead Quotas
Limited entry quotas regulate the number of people who visit wilderness areas in the Inyo National Forest. Quotas help protect the qualities that we seek in wilderness.
The quotas limit the number of people who may begin overnight trips on each day at specific trails or trailheads. These limited entry quotas generally apply only to overnight visitors. However, in the Mt. Whitney Zone quotas limit both day use and overnight use. Also, in the Mt. Whitney Zone an exit quota limits the number of people who end trips on the Mt. Whitney Trail. This exit quota is called "Trail Crest Exit".
Separate quotas limit commercial use, such as guides, outfitters and pack stations. Because the general public and commercial quotas are different, a general public reservation does not guarantee space is available for commercial use. All commercial operators must be authorized by Inyo National Forest. For information about commercial use, contact the Wilderness Permit Office (760) 873-2483.
BOLD TYPE trail names indicates Bear Canister Required areas. In these areas all food must be stored in approved bear resistent containers. For a list of approved containers, visit SierraWildBear.gov
Use of these containers is recommended in all other areas.
Each table below lists when the quota applies and how many people can enter at each trail each day. Because quotas are based on the number of people starting at that trail each day, your party must enter the backcountry on the entry date and trail shown on your permit. You cannot have more people than indicated on your permit. Some trails and routes are not listed. Travel on unlisted routes is applied to the quota for the nearest listed trail or trailhead. You do not need quota space for every day of your trip, only the entry date. Tables are from north to south.
HOOVER WILDERNESS -- INYO NATIONAL FOREST - LUNDY CANYON - SOUTH
| Trailhead | Number of People per day |
|---|---|
Permits always required for overnight trips. Non-quota year round. Non-quota means there is no limit on how many people will be issued permits. No reservation needed. |
|
| 1 Lundy Canyon (Lundy Pass) | Non-Quota |
| 2 Lundy Canyon (Lundy Lake) | Non-Quota |
| 3 Warren Fork | Non-Quota |
| 4 Saddlebag Lake | Non-Quota |
ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS-- INYO NATIONAL FOREST - EAST SIDE ENTRY
| Trailhead | Number of People per Day |
Can be Reserved |
Saved for Walk-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permits always required for overnight trips. Quota applies May 1 through November 1. | |||
| A1 Glacier Canyon (Dana Plateau) | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| A2 Gibbs Lake | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| A3 Bloody Canyon | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| A4 Parker Creek | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| A5 RUSH CREEK | 30 |
18 |
12 |
| A6 FERN / YOST | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| A7 SHADOW LAKE | 30 |
18 |
12 |
| A8 RIVER TRAIL | 30 |
18 |
12 |
| A9 HIGH TRAIL | 20 |
12 |
8 |
| A10 JMT North | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| A11 MINARET | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| A12 BECK | 15 |
9 |
6 |
| A13 FERN LAKE | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| A14 FISH CREEK | 15 |
9 |
6 |
| A15 JMT/PCT South | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| A16 RED CONES | 15 |
9 |
6 |
| A17 DEER LAKE | 10 |
6 |
4 |
JOHN MUIR WILDERNESS -- INYO NATIONAL FOREST - EAST SIDE ENTRY
| Trailhead | Number of People per Day |
Can be Reserved |
Saved for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permits always required for Mt. Whitney day use and all John Muir Wilderness overnight trips. Quota applies May 1 through Nov 1 except George Creek/ Mt Williamson*(see below). | |||
| J1 DUCK LAKE | 30 |
18 |
12 |
| J2 Valentine Lake | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J3 Laurel Lakes | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J4 Convict Canyon | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J5 McGee Creek | 15 |
9 |
6 |
| J6 Hilton Lakes/Creek | 15 |
9 |
6 |
| J7 Tamarack Lakes | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J8 MONO PASS | 20 |
12 |
8 |
| J9 LITTLE LAKES VALLEY | 25 |
15 |
10 |
| J10 Italy Pass | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J11 Pine Creek | 15 |
9 |
6 |
| J12 Gable Lakes | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J13 Horton Lakes | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J14 Upper Buttermilk | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J15 Piute Pass | 30 |
18 |
12 |
| J16 Lamarck Lakes | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J17 Sabrina Basin | 25 |
15 |
10 |
| J18 George Lake | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J19 Tyee Lakes | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J20 TREASURE LAKES | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J21 BISHOP PASS | 36 |
22 |
14 |
| J22 Baker/Green Lakes | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J23 Big Pine Creek, North Fork | 25 |
15 |
10 |
| J24 Big Pine Creek, South Fork | 12 |
7 |
5 |
| J25 Birch Lake | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J26 Red Lake | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J27 Taboose Pass | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J28 Sawmill Pass | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J29 Baxter Pass | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J30 Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J31 KEARSARGE PASS | 60 |
36 |
24 |
| J32 Shepherd Pass | 15 |
9 |
6 |
| J33 George Creek/Mt. Williamson * | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J34 North Fork, Lone Pine Creek- (overnight use) | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J35 MT. WHITNEY TRAIL (Overnight use) | 60 |
60 |
0 |
| J35 Mt. Whitney Zone Day Use includes N.F. of Lone Pine Creek day use |
100 |
100 |
0 |
| J36 TRAIL CREST | 25 |
15 |
10 |
| J37 Meysan Lake | 10 |
6 |
4 |
| J38 Tuttle Creek | 8 |
5 |
3 |
| J39 COTTONWOOD LAKES | 60 |
36 |
24 |
GOLDEN TROUT WILDERNESS-- INYO NATIONAL FOREST- EAST SIDE ENTRY
| Trailhead | Number of People per Day |
Can be Reserved |
Saved for Walk-in |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Permits always required for overnight trips. Quota applies last Friday in June through September 15.
Non-quota means there is no limit on how many people will be issued permits. |
|||
| 60 Cottonwood Pass | 40 |
24 |
16 |
| 61 Mulkey Pass | Non-Quota |
- |
- |
| 62 Trail Pass | Non-Quota |
- |
- |
| 66 Blackrock | Non-Quota |
- |
- |
SOUTH SIERRA WILDERNESS--INYO NATIONAL FOREST- EAST SIDE ENTRY
| Trailhead | Number of People per Day |
|---|---|
| Non-Quota year round. No reservation needed. Non-quota means there is no limit on how many people will be issued permits. |
|
| 63 Olancha Pass (Sage Flat) | Non-Quota |
| 64 Haiwee Pass | Non-Quota |
| 65 Kennedy Meadows (PCT) | Non-Quota |
US Forest Service - Inyo National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 24 December 2007 at 08:14:27 EST