I think the fact that the rangers were not LE, were off duty, out of uniform and had no citation pads with them may have had a lot to do with it, as well as the fact that the SEKI rangers are generally really good, sensible people and recognize the difference between a group of friends gathering at a remote wilderness spot and a formal wedding party with photographers and the whole nine yards assembled at the base of the General Sherman.
The "Special Use Permit" really just amounts to a fee, or fees, - a total of $130 for a party of up to 16, 175 for up to 50, 250 for over 50 - so not much in the grand scheme of things.
