Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion 2012 Whitney Lottery information

Yes all those who have multiple reservations please cancel so they go back in the pool and some of us unlucky ones have a chance of getting any dates.

We picked all weekday dates (Tue-wed-thur) and still did not get anything.

Thank you!

Bummed. Two years and no permit...

If it makes you feel better, this is year two i have gotten a permit and circumstances between applying and receiving came up during the dates so I cannot use it.

To let everyone here know, my Permit was for entering August 9th and leaving the 10th. I will be calling to cancel my permit so others can have a chance. I still hope to walk up in later august or September and get lucky!

Just a reminder....

On April 1, at 7 AM Pacific time, any Whitney permits remaining on Recreation.gov can be reserved.

Most will be gone almost immediately, so if you have your eyes on one, be logged in and ready. Keep hitting the refresh on your browser, and grab them as soon as they are available!

Good luck!


You can view the available slots here:   Mt Whitney Trail Day Use availability         Mt Whitney Trail Overnight availability

I got mine this morning. Interestingly....the same day as my primary date on my application for the lottery that I didn't get selected for. Thanks to those of you that cancelled. I'll be seeing the mountain on June 18th....all the way from SC.

While on the recreation.gov website, there were numbers under some of the x's on the calendar. Does anyone know what these numbers represent? Is it spots filled, available or something else?

I believe you have to change your entry date and then it will highlight.

> While on the recreation.gov website, there were numbers under some of the x's on the calendar. Does anyone know what these numbers represent? Is it spots filled, available or something else?

The numbers below the x are the number remaining available, but not reservable until the proper availability time. On April 1 at 7 AM, the 'x' should have changed to 'A' (but only if you click the "Update Availability" after the 7 AM time.)

If you check what is available in October, you can currently see the examples. Since October is 6 months away, those permits become available on a day by day basis as we move through April. For example, on April 2, the October 2 permits can be reserved at 7 AM.

Here's an image capture...
The days with R are completely reserved. Quota is full.
Those with A: the number shows the number that are still available to be reserved.
Those with X: the number shows the number still available, but the X means they cannot be reserved until later.
Edit 4/2/12: Inyo changed the 6-months out rule today: Those October slots are available NOW.

So does an X means that there are still pending lottery permits needing resolution? The first week in Sept for overnight permits show Rs; then several weekdays after Sept 4-noted as X (no number); and then Rs on the weekend.

Those days with the X without a number in September are days they plan some big trail maintenance project, and no hikers are allowed on the trail those dates. I am guessing there may be some blasting or other heavy rock work being done.

Steve-thanks again. This make getting a permit for the Grand Canyon look easy.....

Recreation.gov changed the availability rules on the October hiking dates. They are available immediately, and no longer subject to the rule where permits may only be reserved six months ahead of the current date.

This is the new view of the above time slot:

Being the first timer in attempting to hike Whitney, i wasn't lucky enough get permit via lottery or April 1st (cancelled permits).

However, i have been reading all your posts and its been very helpful for first timers like me.

we (my group of 3) decided to try our luck on the un-used permits option for july 26th thrus, our last chance i guess for this year

Stalin

Thank you Steve!

The lottery system charged me for an overnight permit for May 31 instead of July 31. $66 and no refunds. I can't go in May, so it's up for grabs on Recreation.gov.

One gone already!

One left 11 hours later.

Checking all the overnights, I see three available Sat, Sept 8.

I have a recollection that previously separate permits/quotes were used for Main Trail and North Fork day hikes.
However right now on the http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearchInte...mp;parkId=72201 I see only "Mt. Whitney Zone- Day Use All Routes JM34.5MWZ" and do not see separate reservations for the Main Trail and Mountaineers Route.
Does it mean that this year the same permit would allow you to hike both the Main Trail and Mountaineers Route?

Been that way for 3 years now.

Right now I am looking at my 9/12/2011 "Mt. Whitney Wilderness Permit" and I can see:
Entry Trail: Main Mt. Whitney Tr.
Exit Trail: Main Mt. Whitney Tr.

Today on the https://www.recreation.gov/memberSignIn.do?mode=submit I can see only
"Exit Point: Mt. Whitney Zone- Day Use All Routes JM34.5MWZ"

Does it mean that after I have this "Day Use All Routes JM34.5MWZ" reservation, ranger at the Visitor Center would put a specific entry/exit trail on my permit?