EDITED to add information from a reliable source on the ground:
On Sept 1, Inyo issued a Q&A document that appears to allow a hiker who legally entered Inyo before the closure date to continue their hike to their intended exit (at least if they don't exit and re-enter). The text reads "What if I am exiting a backpack? The Inyo National Forest understands that people have trips planned and vehicles staged. This is not an emergency evacuation, but a closure. People should make an expedient, orderly, and safe completion of their hikes. However, people who are planning hikes and backpacks and are aware that they will enter a closed area should change those plans." Inyo then reposted the same Q&A language yesterday. Both posts can be found on the Inyo FB page
ADDED information to original post: I heard this today (Friday) via a Facebook direct message from a person on the 395 corridor who is talking with a number of hikers and other sources and who has been a very reliable source of information in the past. I was asked to pass on the information without identifying the source. (No one on the East Side can risk antagonizing the Inyo front office) Slightly edited to make it more concise: "Many of the backcountry Rangers did not agree with the shutdown of trails and for interfering with JMT/PCT hikes that were already planned and in progress. They are passively allowing hikers to complete their trip, even with brief exits to resupply. There is no danger to hikers out there other than the usual risks. It is clear and beautiful. Little smoke. There has been no ranger activity at the usual resupply exit & return points in at least the southern part of the JMT. Hikers at this point have been allowed to come and go. Whitney Portal is "closed" but people allowed to come and go for shuttling to cars and such and allowed down from Whitney. Some hikers have ended their trips prematurely but others have successfully returned to the trail after resupply off-trail." The 395 corridor merchants who support us are being hurt. Continuing on the trail is some relief for them. (Also note that VVR, MTR and Mt Williamson are all holding resupplies and that the hiker buckets are overflowing for people who didn't send a resupply).
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John Curran Ladd
1616 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA? 94114-3707
415-648-9279
John Ladd