Dayhike permits would be good only for the (extended) day of the hike. The parking permits will have dates written on them.
You get the parking permit at the Visitor Center from the same people that hand you your hiking permit.
Taking our first trip to Whitney next month, really appreciate all the information shared on this forum.
My wife and I have a single day use hiking permit for Friday 8/15. We were planning on driving up to the portal the evening before around 5pm, catching an open parking spot (or waiting for someone coming off the mountain and leaving) in the permit area, then sleeping in our Tahoe until we start hiking around 3am. We are not concerned about sleeping in the car, all indications are that this is generally acceptable.
The information we have read online seems to indicate that the corresponding parking permit that gets issued with the single day hiking permit is valid from
midnight to midnight on the day of the hike. Obviously we would be arriving before this window of time.
* Does anyone know if they are allowing day hikers to arrive and park the night before?
* How serious has parking enforcement been this year?
* If our plan won't work, can anyone propose a workaround that would allow us to be at altitude for at least a half day before our hike?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
