Danielle, thanks for that! It is good to know.

Technically it is the "Trail Crest Exit" permit. ...only what do you mean by the day before you "hiked out?" Makes sense if you picked up your Cottonwood entry and Trail Crest Exit permits the day before you started your hike.

Also, was this entire trip based on getting walk-in permits, as you wrote above? It sounds like it has all worked out for you.