I agree with Anand. ?For years, we tried for a permit SOBO from Happy Isle or Glacier Point with no success. Extremely frustrating to put it mildly. ?Finally in 2020, we hit the jackpot with a golden ticket SOBO from GP. ?We were beyond happy, but reality set
in when we were politely, but firmly, asked to leave the trail at Duck Lake Pass due to the Creek Fire. ?We entered the lottery (twice) again in 2021, but weren¡¯t successful. ?This time, however, I had a backup plan. ?Since I am a summer resident of June Lake,
Rush Creek TH is my main entry point to the Sierra back country. ?I knew there were 18 daily spots out of Rush Creek to hike any where in the Sierra so it was easier ( not easy) to get a permit. ?In February 2021 I secured a permit from Rush Creek TH ?exiting
Happy Isle. ?6 days later I secured a permit hiking south from the same trail head to Whitney. We finally finished our JMT Thru Hike as a flip flop. It¡¯s a 9 mile walk from the trail head to the JMT that it intersects about a mile north of Island Pass (mile
40 SOBO) ?One advantage to starting at Rush Creek, is that June Lake is at 7600 feet which allows you to aclimitize better then Yosemite Valley. When applying for your SOBO remember to check the exiting Whitney Portal box unless you plan to exit over Cottonwood
Pass or Lakes. ?Also start early as the hike up Rush Creek Trail is exposed to the sun with little water until you get to the end of Gem Lake. ?Good luck.?
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On Feb 8, 2022, at 9:27 AM, Anand Kumar Sankaran <anand.sankaran@...> wrote:
? Have you considered south bound out of rush creek? It¡¯s a bit easier. Even more easier if you exit cottonwood pass. You can get another permit from rush creek to happy isles for this year or later.?
On Feb 8, 2022, at 7:21 AM, Steve Perry <perry240@...> wrote:
?
Stephen, I agree that your experience is typical. I have snagged a permit in the past by watching the cancelations every day.?
I¡¯m trying something new this year: When I submit a permit request for the JMT I am also requesting local Yosemite-only hiking permits at a lower priority. That way, if I only get a Yosemite-only permit, I can justify going ahead and buying airplane tickets
(from Georgia) in advance. That will give me another chance at getting a walk-up permit for the JMT. Worst case, I spend a week hiking in Yosemite.?
