Hello everyone,
This will be my first time on the trail and our group is very excited. We have a permit for July 7. I understand the permits are picked up in person from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitors Center the day prior to the trip. What is the agency's hours of operation and is there a way to pick up the permit after hours?

Thanks in advance! And I love this site. It's become part of my daily routine.
Peter

I believe they close at 5 PM, but you need to be there by 4:30 to pick up a permit.

You can call the Wilderness Permit number (760-873-2483) and arrange a night box pickup at the kiosk in front of the Visitors Center.

Are you day hiking Whitney? If you do a night box pickup and then drive up to the Portal, it sounds like you aren't giving yourself any time to acclimate to the altitude. Would like to hear your plans.

Thanks Steve,
We are spending a night at Mammoth Base (9,000) and then one night at Horseshoe Meadow ahead of our hike.
Peter