USDA Forest Service
 

Inyo National Forest

 
 

Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane
Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514

760-873-2400
TTY: 760-873-2538

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

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
Walk-in

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
* George Creek / Mt. Williamson: only open 6 weeks each year due to Bighorn Sheep Protection. Quota applies to open period 4/15 through 5/15 ; 12/15 through 1/1. Area closed to access remainder of year.

 

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


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