If there are rangers out on the trail checking for permits, do they hang out as low as Outpost camp?
I'm going to answer this question for posterity because a lot of people read this board or find it in search results. Of course everyone should honor the exact letter of the permit system, period, as it's there for a very good reason and is about as fairly and democratically designed as it possibly could be. And you seem to have a solution to your situation anyway.
But since I was just up there this weekend (hope to post a trip report if I can find the time), I can empirically state: yes they do check as low as Outpost Camp. We were going down and at about 2pm between Mirror Lake and Outpost Camp passed a ranger who was heading up to Trail Camp to deal with a maintenance task and of course check people anywhere in the Whitney Zone along the way. Ended up talking to him for 10 minutes because he was such a cool guy. Given how much work it takes to get a permit (Trail Crest exit permit in my case, after months of recreation.gov spot checks for my desired day) I was actually excited to see him and finally put that hard-earned piece of paper to use!
