Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Unused permits for overnight backpacking...

All, I understand for day permit, unused permits are given one day before the actual hike day at 11 am. Is that the same for overnight packing as well? The reason is I'm planning to stay at HM the previous night and pick up permits next day, if lucky, then hit the trail to trail camp to rest and summit the following day.

Stalin

We TRY to explain this in the Wilderness Permit Options (link to the left). From Step 6:


The above is for overnight (backpacking) permits. However, I was there several weeks ago picking up my overnight permit at 8 AM for the same (current) day, and tried to add another person. I was told none was available. But my friend walked in fifteen minutes later, and was given a permit because some group had come in and picked up some of their reserved permits and had released one or more. So walking in at 8:15, he was able to pick up a cancellation. Not sure if that will be the case later in the season.

So the 11 AM time for overnight (backpacking) permits is for the same day, not next day. But it IS possible that there may be some available for the NEXT day available at 11 AM as well.

Thanks Steve. That confirms my plan.

Stalin