I am doing a walk-up permit for Cottonwood exiting Whitney Portal. I know they give the permits out starting at 11am, but does anyone know how long I should arrive to make sure to get a permit form my group of 4?

Previous years, they let people draw numbers from a hat for a mini-lottery to determine who got first in line at the desk to pick up a permit.

This year, with no 11 am cut-off for Whitney Day Use and Overnight permits, I don't know if they are holding the "mini-lottery". You could call and ask. (Please report back if you find out.)

I called and they said first come, first served. They open the gates at 7:30 and start issuing same-day permits at 8am, Whitney Portal exit has a quota of 10 and they go fast. You can put yourself on a list to wait in line for the next-day permits, which are issued at 11am.

The problem with Trail Crest Exit permits is that the 10-person walk-in quota has nothing to do with the day you walk in, it's only based on how many are left for the exit day. Cottonwood is the closest non-portal TH to Whitney, so you're last to the exit permit party compared to people who got exit walk-ups entering at Kearsarge and further north. Point being, even if you get in line at midnight the 10 slots for your desired day might already be long gone. (But still worth getting in line early to ensure the Cottonwood entry.)

This year the competition is certainly way lower, so maybe not a problem depending on the date.