Edit March 26: If you entered the lottery, you can see the results on Recreation.gov now. Click the "Current Reservations" link to see the successful reservations. Failed applications should be available to view under Lottery Applications.
For more information and discussion, see this link:  The Mt. Whitney Lottery - as of March 26, 2012

Edit March 16: The lottery application period is now closed, and credit card charges are showing up.
    For more info see:   The Mt. Whitney Lottery - as of March 16, 2012

Starting this year, 2012, the Mt Whitney trail permits for the first time are being processed electronically. Permit applications must be entered online, and within a single application, up to ten different start dates may be entered (but no date ranges). Entries can be entered between February 1 and March 15, with the lottery being held the end of March.

For more discussion of the changes, please see this thread:   2012 Whitney Permit Lottery information now available
2011 lottery information is here.

Steps to enter the lottery are in the Wilderness Permit Options (link to the left in the Feature Topics box), under Step 4.


Below is the text from the document from Inyo National Forest.(Click to download MS Word document)

Note that this information covers ALL trails in Inyo, not just the Mt Whitney trail. Also note that Mt Whitney permit lottery entries cannot be made until February 1, 2012.

There is an online news release here: Dec 12, 2011 news release, Title is: Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Reservations Now Available Online

Here's the text of the Word document:

Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Reservations for 2012

As of December 9, 2011 reservations for wilderness permits are now available online at
Recreation.gov
Call Center at (877) 444-6777


This simple and convenient reservation system is already familiar to many national forest visitors who currently make campground reservations.
Visitors can navigate with a Google map or by trail name. Each trail is listed individually with information for the specific trail and a trip planning map of the area. There is a link back to the Inyo National Forest website for additional information.
Visitors who prefer to talk to a person can reserve through the Call Center. You won't be able to see the trip planning maps, so identify your trail name and camp locations before you call.

What Remains the Same?
All of the wilderness rules, permit requirements, quotas and management plans have remained the same. Visitors will still check in at visitor centers to convert their reservation to a permit and receive current wilderness education information. Confirmation of the group size will continue to ensure that unused permits are made available to other visitors. Wilderness education information is provided by phone while arranging for night box permit pickup. Our partnerships and agreements with our neighboring parks and forests will still be supported. The $5 per person reservation fee ($15 per person for Mt. Whitney Zone) that supports visitor education and other wilderness programs will still be used to sustain these programs on the Inyo National Forest.

What has Changed?
Recreation.gov online will give visitors access to reservations 24 hours a day from the convenience of any online device. Paper reduction and faster communication is possible with email and online transactions. The call center for Recreation.gov will assist people who prefer reserving by phone.

A $6.00 non-refundable Transaction Fee is charged to finance the online reservation system.
Refunds will not be made for reservations for the Mt. Whitney trail or Mt. Whitney Zone Day Use, however refunds will be allowed for other entry trails.
  • The $5 per person fee ($15 for exiting or visiting the Mt. Whitney Zone) will be refunded if you cancel or reduce your group size at least 22 days prior to your entry date.
  • The $6.00 transaction fee is non-refundable.
  • There will be no refunds of any fees if you cancel or reduce your group size 21 days or less before the entry date.
    Changes to a reservation can be done online or through the Call Center up until two days before your entry date. Last minute changes can be done when you pickup the permit, if space is available.
  • To change entry trail or date of entry, cancel your current reservation and reserve the desired trail and dates if space is available. Reservation and transaction fees will apply to the new reservation. Cancellations 21 days or less before the entry date will not be refunded.
  • Group leader or alternate leaders cannot be changed.
  • Changing the number of people while keeping the same dates and trail: If you are increasing your party size, the $5.00/person ($15.00/person in Whitney Zone) reservation fee will apply. For a decrease in group size at least 22 days prior to the entry date, the per person reservation fee will be refunded for the number of people reduced.
The Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office will not make reservations for visitors, however the staff will continue to help visitors with wilderness information and education and with night box permits, and they will ensure commercial wilderness permits are issued in compliance with wilderness plans and requirements.

What about the Mt. Whitney Lottery?

The Web page for "2012 Mt. Whitney Permits" can be previewed at Recreation.gov. Online applications will be accepted starting February 1, 2012.

Permits for Mt. Whitney are reserved by a lottery due to the high demand for reservations. All the applications will be included in a computerized lottery. Applications are made online for the dates and group size you would like. You can list up to 10 alternate choices. For each choice, indicate if it's a day hike or overnight permit. Dates in July, August and September usually fill completely from the lottery.
  • Applications will be accepted online from February 1 through March 15.
  • After March 15 lottery applications will not be accepted.
  • All lottery applications that are submitted online from February 1 through March 15 will be processed in a computerized random drawing.
  • Results will be sent by email before April 1.
  • Permit reservations cannot be changed, transferred or resold. Only the leader or alternate leader can use the permit. There are no refunds.
  • Starting April 1 the remaining space will be made available for reservations on a first-come, first-served basis either online or through the Recreation.gov Call Center.
  • Reservations can be made until two days before a trip entry date if space is available.
  • Space is not saved for walk-in permits for Mt. Whitney. There is no wait list for cancellations. Cancellations will go back on the calendar within 24 hours.

Call Center for Recreation.gov
Reservation Line: 1-877-444-6777
Customer Service: 1-888-448-1474
TDD Line: 1-877-833-6777
International Line: 1-518-885-3639
Hours of Operation: Eastern Time
March 1- Oct 31, every day, 10 a.m.-12 midnight (7 a.m.- 9 p.m. Pacific Time)
Nov 1- Feb 28, every day, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. (7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Pacific Time)

How do I find the Inyo National Forest trails?
From the Recreation.gov home page
under the
    "Search for Places"
    enter
    "Inyo National Forest"
    (pick INYO NF - FS, CA)
    and Select
    "Permits & Wilderness"
    and click on "Search"

To preview the site for the Mt. Whitney Lottery enter "Mt. Whitney" and "Permits & Wilderness".

Still have questions?
Inyo National Forest wilderness information: 760-873-2483

Last edited by Steve C; 03/26/12 12:30 PM.