For those of you who do not follow the JMT media sites, the background to the following post is briefly:

Some Rangers in the Yos Wilderness office and some Staff in the Reservations office have been denying permit reservations in recent days based on draft rule changes that have not yet been implemented at the Yos end of the trail. These purported restrictions have run from denying permits that would allow access to the JMT from anywhere except Happy isles an Tuolumne to imposition of a quota on JMT throughikers based on whether stated exit trailheads are north or south of Red's. Those of you familiar with TH permit policy will recognize both of these purported changes as radical departures from present policy.

Long story (500 posts on JMT FB page) short, a brief but furious letter writing campaign and some meetings between Yos, Inyo, Sierra NF and SEKI over the past few days have resulted in the following communication:

"Dear Yosemite Hiking Community,

I wanted to take this opportunity to share information with you about the John Muir Trail (JMT) within Yosemite National Park. Over the last several years, Yosemite National Park has seen a significant increase in demand for permits to hike the JMT. During that time, there also has been an increase in the number of impacts related to JMT hikers along the trail corridor. Last summer, for example, there were 31 reported bear incidents in the Yosemite Wilderness; 30 of which occurred along the JMT. In addition, popular backcountry camps have seen a sharp increase in overnight users which is affecting the quality of the visitor experience. The increased demand for JMT permits has also lead to some hikers skirting the traditional permit system, which has made it more difficult for non-JMT hikers to obtain wilderness permits for other trails within Yosemite National Park.

The National Park Service is working with its neighboring agencies to develop an interim solution that will protect natural resources, provide for a quality visitor experience, and maintain hiking access throughout Yosemite—including the JMT. Implementation of an interim solution will be communicated to the public and the hiking community.

The National Park Service will continue to work with social media sites to ensure current, accurate, and up to date information is shared. We look forward to a solution that enables access and protects the park resources that attract JMT hikers.

Finally, I would like to apologize for any confusing or mis-information that has reached the Yosemite (John Muir) hiking community. I understand and appreciate your support for Yosemite’s Wilderness and invite you help us protect its truly unique qualities.

Sincerely,

Ed Dunlavey
Wilderness Manager, Yosemite National Park
National Park Service
Yosemite National Park
http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/YosemiteNPS
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/YosemiteNPS"

Mr. Dunlavey asked me to post this here and elsewhere, and I gladly do so because it is clear to me that the apparent interagency effort that is under way may affect access to the entire JMT including Whitney summit approaches from the west.

I am hoping that there will be more opportunity for input from the hiking community than this letter implies before any interim changes are implemented.

Wherever you go, there you are.
SPOTMe!