Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion What's better?

My friend and I are trying to plan another round at day-hiking Mt. Whitney this summer. Since we got late in the game for reservations, our choices really don't seem too slim. What would be better, though? We can either pick up some whitney portal campsites on a mid-august weekday, or guarantee a day-hiking permit for a weekday in early september? If we went in mid-august weekday, what would be the chances of even getting a permit if someone doesn't show up?

Any help will be great, thanks!

I have never been shut out getting a permit for Whitney. You do have to keep your options open though. When we went up the MR there were no day hike permits available. We simply got overnights instead and got a "late start". We didn't screw anyone out of an overnight because we had to draw in the daily lottery for spots and my son drew the worst number. So if we didn't use them, they weren't getting used.

When you do this you can choose an overnight starting that day (the easiest to get) or an overnight starting the next day. (if you had to take an over night for the next day you might be screwing someone out of one. And instead of starting LATE you're coming home EARLY) For the MR trip we took an overnight starting that day. When asked where we planned to spend the night we told the nice ranger - near the trail head. The parking lot behind the store is near the TH IMHO.

Using these methods I have always gotten a permit when I needed it. I didn't even bother with the lottery this year. My lucky streak will continue or I'll use another trail head. The permit hassle is really over rated IMHO..................................................DUG

I agree with and have had similar experiences in regards to getting permits for the MMWT as DUG.

The worst thing that can happen is to get to see a better area in the Sierra...yes, there are better areas.

The only time I was skunked for permit was Big Pine Lakes. We ended up in the Bishop Pass area for the first time...if that is losing, let me lose some more. As an aside, there were plenty of backpacking permits available for the MMWT that 4th of July weekend in 2006.