Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Pick-up time for day-use permit?

I've got a day use permit reservation for July 21. If I understand the confirmation email correctly, I need to pick up the permit at the ranger station before noon on the 20th, otherwise they give it away to someone else? Is that right? I don't suppose there's any way to hold the permit until later in the afternoon?

The reason I ask is that Lone Pine is about a 7 hour drive from the San Francisco area where I live. To get there by noon on the 20th with some margin for error, I'd need to leave home around 4 AM, or else burn yet another day by driving there on the 19th.

Thanks!