actually, I scored a same day overnight last time I was there at 11am on a Monday in early September.
Screw the mini-lottery, show up at opening and snag permits for the same day, I've done this a few times, 7/08 being the last. Obviously, this only works for overnight trips.
The time I have been skunked for an Inyo permit was for the Big Pine Lakes Trail on the 4th of July. The consolation prize was Bishop Pass Trail. Some will say, I got the better deal. Both are pretty awesome trailheads.
