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2012 Permit process
#19663 11/07/11 07:54 AM
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Anybody knows how the permit process will be done for the 2012? What is the deadline to have the web site up and running?

Thanks,

Nei


Always happy to meet new hiking friends.
Re: 2012 Permit process
Nei #19665 11/07/11 10:26 AM
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It will be a completely different process -- all done through reserveamerica.com / recreation.gov

I believe it is in testing at this point.

Re: 2012 Permit process
Steve C #19676 11/07/11 06:22 PM
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Oh my God, the Inyo is entering the 1990s.

Re: 2012 Permit process
Steve C #19743 11/10/11 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: Steve C
It will be a completely different process -- all done through reserveamerica.com / recreation.gov

I believe it is in testing at this point.

The Forest Service probably will update the Wilderness Permit website in December with more details. The Info Sheet for permit is still the same and it was updated on 11/20/2010. The lottery instructions page also has not been updated beyond saying that it will be by computer in 2012. A search on the Recreation.gov website does not reveal any matches yet for permits, but there are hits for Half Dome and Desolation Wilderness as "nearby" places with permits.

Of course, that means that the Wilderness Permit Options feature thread will need to be updated

Re: 2012 Permit process
VersatileFred #19748 11/10/11 01:38 PM
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I got an update yesterday. What is currently in testing is the on-line access to all OTHER Inyo trails. Those are also going to on-line registration, likely in December, so people can start signing up 6 months in advance for their backpacking trips.

Once that area is working, focus will go to lottery registrations. Seems to me like a short window before February, but they already have lotteries for Boundary Waters and Salmon River, so the Whitney lottery will be similar to those.

I was assured that the Half Dome permit debacle will not be allowed here, where scalpers are scooping up many of the permits and selling them on Craigslist. For Inyo permits, they MUST be picked up in person, BY the person (or alternate) shown on the permit.

ReserveAmerica Boundary Waters Details page:  Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, MN

A commercial site's info page on Boundary Waters and the lottery:  BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) Reservation and Permit Information

Salmon-Challis National Forest lottery info:  Floating 4 Western Rivers

The cool thing with these other lotteries is that the registration period is Dec 1 to Jan 31, so we can explore those sites and become familiar, so the Whitney lottery will not be so unusual come Feb 1.

Re: 2012 Permit process
Steve C #19749 11/10/11 05:35 PM
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Quote:
For Inyo permits, they MUST be picked up in person, BY the person (or alternate) shown on the permit.


Unless they are going to keep someone in the visitor center till the wee hours of the night, or move the permit pick-up to Whitney Portal, that is bad. I would expect that many visitors from Southern California drive to Lone Pine after work, the evening before the hike, and they get there long after the visitor center closes. Under this scheme, sounds like the prospective hiker would have to get there one day early, or drive back to Lone Pine from the trailhead in the morning.

Re: 2012 Permit process
Eugene K #19754 11/10/11 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted By: Eugene K
Unless they are going to keep someone in the visitor center till the wee hours of the night, or move the permit pick-up to Whitney Portal, that is bad. I would expect that many visitors from Southern California drive to Lone Pine after work, the evening before the hike, and they get there long after the visitor center closes. Under this scheme, sounds like the prospective hiker would have to get there one day early, or drive back to Lone Pine from the trailhead in the morning.

To the best of my recollection, this is how it has been for a long while. As it is now, the Inyo wants to tell you all the rules and regs when you pick up your permit, which isn't a bad thing for the newbs. However, I have seen this movie about as many times as I have seen Casablanca.


Re: 2012 Permit process
Steve C #19755 11/10/11 08:43 PM
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We are in November I would expect some clear definition about this new process by now. At least I would like to have a timeline about when this info is coming. Who should I contact about it?


Always happy to meet new hiking friends.
Re: 2012 Permit process
Nei #19756 11/10/11 09:13 PM
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Eugene, I am not 100% sure how the night permit pickup will be handled. It was a telephone conversation, and I didn't record it. But next time I make contact, I'll raise the issue of the night pickup.

Nei, the National Forest budgets have been cut repeatedly year after year. Believe me, they are working on this as fast as they can with limited staff, and everything is not spelled out yet. During the conversation, I was impressed with all the bases and rules that they must address with this system before it goes public. All those things are still being adjusted.

And as for clear definition, I pointed out the lotteries run by ReserveAmerica for other locales. The Whitney lottery will be fit into the existing system, with minimal changes to the nationwide setup.

As for a time line, I wouldn't expect much on the lottery before Feb 1. Asking lots of questions before that will just slow down their progress.

Re: 2012 Permit process
wbtravis #19757 11/10/11 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted By: wbtravis

To the best of my recollection, this is how it has been for a long while. As it is now, the Inyo wants to tell you all the rules and regs when you pick up your permit, which isn't a bad thing for the newbs. However, I have seen this movie about as many times as I have seen Casablanca.


I did this twice last year. They instruct you over the phone, put your papers in a box 200 feet from the visitor center, and tell you the combination on the lock.


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