I disagree with Bob.
I am 71 and have been hiking in the Sierras for 56 years, in other words, I am retired.
Let's look at Kearsarge Pass quotas. Currently there are 60 permits per day of which 36 are reservable and 24 are walkin. I have no problem with making advance reservations, but the current system only displays the reservable permits and does not take into account the walkin. So how does one get a walkin when there isn't a walkin. Well you have to call and call. Then you have to wait, sometimes days for the permit to be processed, and then wait for the email to arrive.
For me, I live less than 3 hours away. Sometimes I decide to drive up and arrive just before closing and get a permit for the next day. You can't do that now. It's an added layer to obtaining a walkin permit.
Last year, I tried over and over to get a permit for Trail Pass, a non-quota pass. Trail Pass is my go to pass to get into the backcountry easily. The current system put a limit on the permits, even though the pass is non-quota. I again had to call and call.
There is no question that the current system restricts access, not helps.
Just my thoughts.
Paul
