If the shutdown happened in at peak season July-August, they would probably handle it differently. Getting a permit in October in not hard anyway.
I hope the Rangers can get up there to do one last treasure hunt (wag bag sweep) before the bags get buried in snow. If not, I guess the bags will make it easier to find the trail in spring - pooping out of the melting snow. Unofficial trail markers. Just trying to look on the bright side, don't shoot.
