Regarding San Gorgonio permits, easy to do by fax using these instructions: http://www.sgwa.org/permit.htm

Bigger hassle is getting the National Forest Adventure pass hang tag for your car. If you don't have one, you may get ticketed at the trailhead. They sell these at sporting goods stores like REI.

I think these are regional, so you may need to wait until you get out here to buy one for So Cal, not sure whether you can buy one in Georgia that is valid out here.