We just finished our thru hike on Monday and during the last week (after the 8/30 closure), we ran in to a number of rangers, both NPS and FS. We were told the same thing by both types (note that trails in SEKI and YNP are open and you are permitted to start a? hike from TH within those parks).? As far as the Inyo, a number of Inyo rangers told us the same thing, if you were on the trail prior to August 30, you could proceed to your stated exit point (in our case WP) provided you didn’t leave the trail for any reason.? Whether this is the official policy or just rangers not wanting to ruin a thru hike remains to be seen.? Last year was a different situation as there was a direct threat to the trail and hikers on it because of the creek fire.? We were one of many hikers? who were told to exit by the closest trail because of the threat posed by the Creek Fire. This year the closure of the Inyo is more preventive in nature and appears to be related to man power issues.? We met a number of people who had been permitted to start at Cottonwood on the 8/29 and were told the same thing by Inyo rangers. ???

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