Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Nope, no exit quota for SNF permits either,
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
There are 25 exit permits per day spread across all Inyo trailheads, 15 reservable and 10 "walk up". It is documented somewhere on the Inyo NF site.. in a pdf.
Starting outside of Inyo isn't subject to the exit quota, or at least not from the parks or Sierra NF. not sure about Sequoia NF.
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I don’t think that is 15 total but 15 per trail head per day otherwise the system wouldn’t make sense. ?Then again nothing has ever made sense with Rec. Gov. ?I have decided to go up the food chain to get an answer.
On Jan 22, 2025, at 5:28?PM, Frank via groups.io <frankdpct@...> wrote:
?
To continue, that's not many so they would go quick and then you would see 0 for all trailheads if requesting a whitney exit.
Frank
The inyo site states there are only 15 whitney exit permits available in the first release. Ten more are available 2 weeks prior.
The biggest advantage of exiting Horseshoe instead of Whitney portal is that you don’t have to witness the idiocy that happens when monstrously ill prepared people attempt to climb Whitney from the portal side…:-)
Besides there are some really nice spots on the way from Crabtree to Horseshoe Meadows.
Ian
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent
you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!!
"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via
<sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue.
?
A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ?
?
?
?
?
"?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to
(3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that
most days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get
, a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on
.?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get
to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
--
Frank
--
Frank
|
Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
I don’t think that is 15 total but 15 per trail head per day otherwise the system wouldn’t make sense. ?Then again nothing has ever made sense with Rec. Gov. ?I have decided to go up the food chain to get an answer.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 22, 2025, at 5:28?PM, Frank via groups.io <frankdpct@...> wrote:
?
To continue, that's not many so they would go quick and then you would see 0 for all trailheads if requesting a whitney exit.
Frank
The inyo site states there are only 15 whitney exit permits available in the first release. Ten more are available 2 weeks prior.
The biggest advantage of exiting Horseshoe instead of Whitney portal is that you don’t have to witness the idiocy that happens when monstrously ill prepared people attempt to climb Whitney from the portal side…:-)
Besides there are some really nice spots on the way from Crabtree to Horseshoe Meadows.
Ian
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent
you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!!
"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via
<sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue.
?
A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ?
?
?
?
?
"?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to
(3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get
, a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on
.?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get
to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
--
Frank
--
Frank
|
Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
To continue, that's not many so they would go quick and then you would see 0 for all trailheads if requesting a whitney exit.
Frank
The inyo site states there are only 15 whitney exit permits available in the first release. Ten more are available 2 weeks prior.
The biggest advantage of exiting Horseshoe instead of Whitney portal is that you don’t have to witness the idiocy that happens when monstrously ill prepared people attempt to climb Whitney from the portal side…:-)
Besides there are some really nice spots on the way from Crabtree to Horseshoe Meadows.
Ian
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!! "When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via <sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue. ? A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ? ? ? ?
? "?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have
an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get , a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on .?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
--
Frank
--
Frank
|
Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
The inyo site states there are only 15 whitney exit permits available in the first release. Ten more are available 2 weeks prior.
The biggest advantage of exiting Horseshoe instead of Whitney portal is that you don’t have to witness the idiocy that happens when monstrously ill prepared people attempt to climb Whitney from the portal side…:-)
Besides there are some really nice spots on the way from Crabtree to Horseshoe Meadows.
Ian
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!! "When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via <sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue. ? A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ? ? ? ?
? "?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have
an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get , a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on .?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
--
Frank
|
Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
The biggest advantage of exiting Horseshoe instead of Whitney portal is that you don’t have to witness the idiocy that happens when monstrously ill prepared people attempt to climb Whitney from the portal side…:-)
Besides there are some really nice spots on the way from Crabtree to Horseshoe Meadows.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 22, 2025, at 3:09?PM, Ethan via groups.io <ethansinbox@...> wrote:
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!! "When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via <sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue. ? A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ? ? ? ?
? "?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have
an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get , a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on .?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
|
Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!! "When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via <sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue.
?
A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ?
?
?
?
?
"?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have
an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get , a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on .?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
|
Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue.
?
A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ?
?
?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Anand Kumar Sankaran via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 3:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [JMT-groups.io] Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
?
"?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to recreation.gov (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have
an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on recreation.gov to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and recreation.gov.? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get recreation.gov, a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at recreation.gov
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on recreation.gov.?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get recreation.gov to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
|
Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
"?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) “
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
--
Anand Kumar?Sankaran
http://www.anands.net
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 22, 2025, at 1:52?PM, judithsmcguire via groups.io <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to recreation.gov (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on recreation.gov to do this.?
?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and recreation.gov.? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get recreation.gov, a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at recreation.gov has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on recreation.gov.?
?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
?
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
?
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get recreation.gov to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
Thanks
?
Judy McGuire
|
Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to recreation.gov (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on recreation.gov to do this.?
?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and recreation.gov.? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get recreation.gov, a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at recreation.gov has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on recreation.gov.?
?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
?
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
?
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get recreation.gov to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
Thanks
?
Judy McGuire
|
Re: Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
Yes, permits from the VVR area for exit at Whitney Portal are easier to obtain, because that is Sierra NF and they are not subject to Inyo NF's Whitney Portal exit quota.? They can issue permits without regard to the exit quota.
|
Re: Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
Judy: ?Anand spot on as to time. ?I would suggest getting on line 10-15 minutes prior to to opening bell. ?Also on Rec.gov you will see the designation “NR”. ?This means certain number of permits are non-reservable and will be released at 7:00 am PCT two weeks
prior to entry date. ?Good luck.
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Show quoted text
On Jan 16, 2025, at 9:52?AM, Anand Kumar Sankaran via groups.io <anand.sankaran@...> wrote:
? Hi Judy
They open at 7am PT.?
On Jan 16, 2025, at 7:32?AM, judithsmcguire via groups.io <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
?
Another question.? Do these (Inyo trailhead) permits open up at midnight Pacific time so I need to wake up at 3 AM on the east coast to get a permit??
?
Judy McGuire
|
Re: Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
Hi Judy,?
Not sure if this comment is useful, but I have heard that Whitney exit permits are much easier to get from the VVR area trailheads (Mono Creek, Bear Diversion, Bear Ridge).? For example, looking out 6 months from today (7/16) at 10:45 PST there are permits
still available for exiting Whitney Starting from all three trailheads.
Greg
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Judy
They open at 7am PT.?
On Jan 16, 2025, at 7:32?AM, judithsmcguire via groups.io <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
?
Another question.? Do these (Inyo trailhead) permits open up at midnight Pacific time so I need to wake up at 3 AM on the east coast to get a permit??
?
Judy McGuire
|
Re: Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
Hi Judy
They open at 7am PT.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 16, 2025, at 7:32?AM, judithsmcguire via groups.io <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
? Another question.? Do these (Inyo trailhead) permits open up at midnight Pacific time so I need to wake up at 3 AM on the east coast to get a permit??
?
Judy McGuire
|
Re: Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
Another question.? Do these (Inyo trailhead) permits open up at midnight Pacific time so I need to wake up at 3 AM on the east coast to get a permit??
?
Judy McGuire
|
Re: Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
I compared the permits with the Whitney Exit to the Non-Whitney
exits and looks like when you ask for a Whitney Exit a 0 indicates
there are no Whitney Exits available but there are Non-Whitney
exits available.
Frank
On 1/15/2025 5:16 PM, judithsmcguire
via groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
We had to abort last year at VVR because I got COVID.? But we
hope to finish this year starting at Mosquito Flat/Mono Pass
Trail.? Just to figure out the permit system, I went to
recreation.gov and looked up Mono Pass permits (exiting Whitney)
and 6 months from today (i.e. 7/15/25) says it has 0 (zero)
permits (not NR, which they say means not yet released).? I
assume that means that all permits have been taken.? Correct??
When I go back 5 days a few times, I see one available at an
earlier date.? When I move forward in 5 day increments it says 0
everywhere.? Does zero mean different things at different
times??
?
I want to try for an entry some time between Aug. 30 and
Sept. 2.? February has only 28 days.? How do they count 6 months
before the end of August when February doesn't have a 29, 30 or
31?.?
?
THanks
?
Judy McGuire
?
?
--
Frank
|
Re: Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
"
How do they count 6 months before the end of August when February doesn't have a 29, 30 or 31?.?? "
In past years I am pretty sure that Feb 28 opens Aug 28, then Mar 1 opens Aug 29, 30, 31 and Sept 1.
I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong but I do think this is what happens.?
|
Permits to start at Mosquito Flats
We had to abort last year at VVR because I got COVID.? But we hope to finish this year starting at Mosquito Flat/Mono Pass Trail.? Just to figure out the permit system, I went to recreation.gov and looked up Mono Pass permits (exiting Whitney) and 6 months from today (i.e. 7/15/25) says it has 0 (zero) permits (not NR, which they say means not yet released).? I assume that means that all permits have been taken.? Correct?? When I go back 5 days a few times, I see one available at an earlier date.? When I move forward in 5 day increments it says 0 everywhere.? Does zero mean different things at different times??
?
I want to try for an entry some time between Aug. 30 and Sept. 2.? February has only 28 days.? How do they count 6 months before the end of August when February doesn't have a 29, 30 or 31?.?
?
THanks
?
Judy McGuire
?
?
|
Re: Permit release process for this year.
Got it, Frank. That is what it looks like. Thanks.
--
Anand Kumar?Sankaran
http://www.anands.net
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Show quoted text
On Jan 14, 2025, at 8:29?PM, Frank via groups.io <frankdpct@...> wrote:
Inyo reservations have been changed so that NR indicates that all current available 6 month prior reservations are taken, but there will be more reservations available 2 weeks prior to the start date. These used to be the walk-up permits. I think this means that the Covid era changes to the walk-up permits is now permanent.
I noticed that on the Yosemite site they started to refer to Pre-Season and Week-Ahead reservations. Same-Day walk-up permits are only available if they haven't been reserved.?
Frank
On 1/14/2025 2:53 PM, Anand Kumar Sankaran via??wrote:
Does anyone know what is going on with this year's permit release process?? On some days, permits are released. On others, it is not released and clicking on NR says "visit 2 weeks before (exact date) for reservation". <Screenshot 2025-01-14 at 2.27.19?PM.png>
--?
--?Frank
|
Re: Permit release process for this year.
Inyo reservations have been changed so that NR indicates that all
current available 6 month prior reservations are taken, but there
will be more reservations available 2 weeks prior to the start
date. These used to be the walk-up permits. I think this means
that the Covid era changes to the walk-up permits is now
permanent.
I noticed that on the Yosemite site they started to refer to
Pre-Season and Week-Ahead reservations. Same-Day walk-up permits
are only available if they haven't been reserved.
Frank
On 1/14/2025 2:53 PM, Anand Kumar
Sankaran via groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Does
anyone know what is going on with this year's permit release
process?? On some days, permits are released. On others, it
is not released and clicking on NR says "visit 2 weeks
before (exact date) for reservation".
--
--
Frank
|
