Mt. Whitney Permits
Wilderness Permit
Overview
Separate permit from Inyo NF wilderness permits. Covers Mt. Whitney Trail overnight and all-route day use (Whitney Portal, Mountaineer's Route, East Face, etc.). Summit at 14,505 ft.
Bottom Line
Lottery success rate is roughly 30-35% for day use and under 20% for overnight on peak summer dates. Midweek and shoulder season (May, late Sep/Oct) have significantly better odds. After Apr 22, cancellations trickle back onto the calendar -- this is where alerts pay off. Weekday cancellations within 2 weeks of the date are the most common pickups.
Lottery and Reservations
Quota season May 1 - Nov 1. Lottery-based, not rolling FCFS:
- Lottery application: Feb 1 - Mar 1
- Results: ~Mar 15
- Unclaimed dates released FCFS: Apr 22
- Cancellations after Apr 22 return for FCFS pickup
Off-season (Nov 2 - Apr 30): FCFS, 14-day rolling window.
Quotas and Fees
- Overnight: 60 people/day, max group 15
- Day use: 100 people/day, max group 12
- $6 reservation fee + $15/person (Whitney Zone rate)
- Bear canisters required, pack out human waste (WAG bags)