Inyo National Forest

Recreational Activities - Mt. Whitney Lottery

Apply to the lottery if you wish to reserve a wilderness permit for a trip that begins between May 1 and November 1, 2010. Two different types of permit can be reserved by the lottery.
Day Use in the Mt Whitney Zone via any route; or overnight/ multi night trips that start on the Mt. Whitney trail.

How do I get a lottery application form?
Click below to open and then Print the lottery application form. Please review Policy Reminders for 2010 and page 2 of the application for instructions, terms and conditions. Submission of application indicates your agreement to lottery terms and conditions.

• 2010 Mt. Whitney Lottery Application Form (Microsoft Word version)
• 2010 Mt. Whitney Lottery Application Form (Adobe PDF version)

Fill out lottery form above and mail with a February postmark.

Need help? To request an application form be sent to you by mail or fax; still have questions about the lottery? Please call:
Wilderness Permit Reservation Office at (760) 873-2483. Open 8am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday, closed for holidays in winter. Extended schedule begins in spring: Open 7 days a week from May 15-to October 15.

Policy Reminders for 2010: Submission of lottery application indicates agreement to these terms and conditions.

• Wilderness permits are required year round for all visitors entering the Mt. Whitney Zone. Reservations can be made for trips that begin during the quota period, from May 1 through November 1. Reservations are not needed for winter trips.
• Day Use Permit: If the entire trip will be on one calendar date and you will enter the Mt. Whitney Zone, a Day Use Permit is required. All routes are included in the Day Use Permit.This includes the Mt Whitney trail and all cross country routes, the Mountaineer's Route, East Face/ Buttress climbing routes and other peaks within the Mt. Whitney Zone. No consecutive day use. If your trip is more than one calendar date an Overnight permit is required.
• Overnight permit (or multi night): Trips that last overnight or more than one night, and start on the Mt Whitney trail require an Overnight permit. This includes trips that will end elsewhere like the Pacific Crest and John Muir trails. The Day Use permit can not be used as part of an overnight trip to pass through the area. Mt. Whitney Overnight use does NOT include all routes. Access to Mountaineers's Route, East Face/ East Buttress, or Mt Russell is NOT in the lottery, but can be reserved 6 months in advance as North Fork of Lone Pine Creek.
• Group Size: Maximum group size is 15 people. Large groups cannot exceed 15 people even if on separate permits. This is to protect the wilderness and other visitors experience.
• Entry Date is the day you will be starting on the trail. All of your group must start on the entry date listed on your permit. Do not include camping at Whitney Portal in your entry date.
• Multiple Lottery Applications: Submit only one application for your group for each trip desired. i.e. to request one trip in June and another in August, send one application for each trip. Reservations that result from submission of multiple applications are not entitled to a refund.
• Applications are rejected from the lottery for any of the following reasons: application form for 2010 not used; missing February postmark; received without payment; sent by fax; illegible; incomplete information.
• No Refunds: A reservation fee is charged only if you receive a reservation. Once reserved, there is no refund. Reservations that result form submission of multiple applications are not entitled to a refund.
• Re-sale of reservations is prohibited. Reservations can not be transferred to other parties or to future years.
• To receive your permit: Only the leader or a listed alternate leader can pick up the permit. All permits for trips beginning from Whitney Portal into the Mt. Whitney zone are issued at the Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center, at the junction of Highway 395 and SR 136.
• One or two days before your trip you must pick up your permit or phone and confirm your group size before the confirmation deadline, or your reservation will be canceled. This allows other visitors access to unused space.
  Day Use deadline is noon one day before entry date. Overnight use deadline is 10:00 am on entry date.

Do I need to enter the Lottery? Wilderness permits are based on when and where your trip will begin and if the trip is Day Use or Overnight. The following trips are NOT reserved by the lottery:

• Day hikes that will not enter the Mt. Whitney Zone do not require a permit.
• If you missed the February lottery, you can apply for leftover space up until 2 days before the trip.
• One day before the trip all remaining space is made available free on a walk in basis.
• Overnight use entering via the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek trail for access to Mountaineers Route, East Face/ East Buttress climbing routes, Mt Russell and other peaks in the drainage has a separate quota and is not reserved by the lottery. Overnight North Fork permits can be reserve 6 months in advance. However, Day Use of this same area is in the lottery.
• Overnight trips that begin in Inyo National Forest on a trail other than the Mt. Whitney trail. (such as Kearsarge Pass, Cottonwood Pass, Cottonwood Lakes, sections of the John Muir Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, etc) Can be reserved six months in advance of your entry date. Request "Trail Crest Exit" if the trip ends along the Mt Whitney trail.
• If your trip begins during the non-quota season (November 2 to April 30), reservations are not needed. Self-issue permits are available at the Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center.
• Trips that begin in a National Park, such as Yosemite or Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, obtain your permit from the National Park. Specify your exit as Mt Whitney trail and the permit issued by the National Park will be valid for your entire trip, including the summit of Mt Whitney and exit on the Mt. Whitney trail.

More information for the permits described above can be found in How to Obtain a Wilderness Permit .

What is the difference between a day use permit and overnight permit?
Day Use permit: If the entire trip will be on one calendar date and you will enter the Mt Whitney zone, a Day Use permit is required. You can start before dawn. Day Use includes all trails, routes, and cross country travel within the Mt. Whitney Zone including the Mountaineers Route, East Face/ East Buttress and Mt Russell. A day use permit cannot be used as part of an overnight trip. No consecutive day use dates; if trip is more than one calendar date an overnight permit is required.

Overnight Mt. Whitney permit: Trips lasting one or more nights that start on the Mt Whitney trail require an Overnight permit. This includes trips that will end elsewhere (i.e. Pacific Crest or John Muir trails). A day permit cannot be used as part of an overnight trip to pass through the area.
Overnight trips starting via the North Fork Lone Pine Creek trail has a separate quota and is NOT reserved by the Mt. Whitney lottery (access to Mountaineers Route, East Face/ Buttress, Mt Russell, etc).

What is the Quota for the Mt Whitney Zone? May 1 to November 1 is the time of the year when there is a quota or limit on the number of people that will be issued permits. Quota for each day:

• 100 people can day hike in the Mt. Whitney Zone including all routes and trails.
• 60 people can begin on the Mt. Whitney trail for overnight / multi-night backpack trips.
• 25 people can use Trail Crest Exit space to end backpack trips that began on other Inyo trails (not in lottery).
• 10 people can begin overnight trips up the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek trail (not in Lottery).

The quota is not higher on weekends.

What is the lottery process? Applications are stirred together into random order as they are accepted. February 16 we will thoroughly stir the applications and begin making reservations for applications drawn at random. Applications received February 16 or later are stirred into the application pool each day. Applications postmarked in February that arrive in March are still accepted. Every application is drawn and considered. When your application is drawn, a reservation will be made if quota space is still available for the entry date and group size you requested. Processing 6,000 plus applications usually takes five to six weeks. Expect notification of results by mail after April 1. Brief messages regarding the lottery progress will be posted on the Mt. Whitney Reservation Availability calendar page.

How can I maximize my chances in the lottery?

• List as many alternate entry dates as possible in case your first choice is unavailable.
• Specify a simple block of time that you would be able to go. Example, write in " any entry date in August for overnight 2 nights" (specify how many nights for overnight trips). Second example, "day hike any day in July".
• A smaller group size will help your chances if the date you request is almost full when your application comes up. Example, if you request 10 people and there is only space left for 4, you would not get a reservation.
• Be sure your application is complete before you send it. Rejected applications will be returned by mail and will delay processing of your request. Applications will be rejected for any of the following reasons: did not use 2010 Mt Whitney Lottery Application form; sent by fax; not postmarked in February; received without payment; information is illegible or incomplete.

Do NOT send multiple applications for the same group or trip. This practice is unfair to other visitors. You will be liable for all reservation fees incurred from multiple reservations that could result from such applications and you will not be entitled to a refund. If you wish to reserve more than one trip, for example, one trip in June and another trip in August, send one application for each trip.

What are the most common errors on applications? Most common errors are missing payment information, group size blank, and entry dates errors.

• You must use 2010 Mt Whitney Lottery form. Hand written requests, forms from other forests or previous years are not accepted.
• Name and address. The mail label box is used to mail back applications. The group leader name and address must be complete and legible. Email and phone are optional.
• Alternate Leaders are optional. List up to 3 people authorized to replace the group leader.
• Remember to fill in the group size. Large groups can not exceed 15 people (even if on separate permits).
• Include payment information. Applications are rejected if missing payment information. Be sure to provide the expiration date and complete 16 digit card number to pay by Visa or Master Card. Money orders and checks must be payable to: USDA Forest Service
• Entry date. The entry date is the date you actually start on the trail. Many people mistakenly count the night before their trip as part of their wilderness reservation.
• Dates for Day Hike. For a day hike the entry date and exit date would be the same (the date you will actually hike on the trail).
• Prioritize entry and exit dates that you want, first choice date at the top of the list. Include leader name and order of priority if attaching additional pages.
• Exit Trail. "Same" is acceptable if you are returning to Whitney Portal. Provide name of trail if exit is somewhere else.

When can I apply to the lottery? Applications for the Mt. Whitney Lottery must be mailed in February. Please note that there is no advantage given to the first applications to arrive. Commercial mail delivery services are acceptable, but all applications MUST have a February postmark. Faxed applications will NOT be accepted for the Mt. Whitney Lottery.

Is there a fee to enter the lottery? There is not a fee to enter the lottery, however, you must include payment for the reservation fee with your application. You will only be charged the reservation fee if you are successful in the lottery. This may change in future years.

How much is the reservation fee? For the Mt Whitney Zone the reservation fee is $15.00 per person. That is per person, regardless of the number of nights spent in the backcountry. The wilderness permit reservation fee does not include Whitney Portal Campground or any other car accessible campgrounds.

When is the reservation fee due? Reservation fees must be paid in full at the time the reservation is made. For the Lottery in February, this means that your application must include a check or money order or credit card information. Checks or money orders must be payable to USDA Forest Service. Visa or Master Card payment information must include expiration date and 16 digit credit card number. Payment must be in U.S. funds. Applications without payment will be rejected.

Are refunds available for reservation fees? No, reservation fees are not refundable once your reservation is processed. Submission of your application indicates your agreement to the no refund policy.
Re-sale of reservations or wilderness permits is prohibited.
There is no refund if you cancel your trip. No rain checks (or snow & ice checks). Reservation fees cannot be applied to future years. You are liable for all reservation charges that may result from multiple reservations even if you identify an application as a copy or a duplicate.

Did you double check your application? Please be sure that your application is accurate and complete before you send it.We are unable to revise or intercept applications. Send only one application for your group/trip. If you include a self addressed and stamped postcard; we will mail the postcard back indicating your application was accepted into the lottery. If you want mail tracking use certified mail with return receipt requested. We are not able to search for applications during the lottery.

• Must use 2010 Mt. Whitney Lottery Application.
• Complete name and mail address for group leader.
• Indicate group size and dates requested.
• Include Payment- Credit card 16 digit number and expiration date
  or check/ money order payable to: USDA Forest Service.
• Mail in February with a February postmark.

Mail your application to:

Mt Whitney Lottery
Wilderness Permit Office
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514

Applications cannot be submitted to the 2010 lottery by fax, telephone, email or internet.

When will I receive results from the lottery? All the lottery applications should be processed and you should receive a response via mail by early April. We will mail you confirmation of your reservation and instructions for permit pick up if you are successful. If no space was available for the dates that you requested, your unsuccessful application will be returned by mail. Please be patient, there are many applications and we attempt to fill every reservation request!

Can I change the reservation I received in the lottery? Yes, if space is available. After the lottery is complete there will be a waiting period before any changes can be requested, so that all lottery applicants will have time to be notified of the results. Once we begin accepting applications again, you can request changes in your reservation. If you wish to change your entry date or entry trail, a $10.00 change fee will apply. If you wish to add to your group size, the $15.00 per person fee will apply for the added people. However, you cannot postpone reservations to future years. Reservations cannot be sold or transferred to other parties.

Can I still make a reservation if I missed the lottery? Yes, if space is available, you can still reserve a wilderness permit. When applying for Mt Whitney Day Use or Mt Whitney Overnight reservations in April or later, use the wilderness permit reservation application for Inyo National Forest. These post-lottery applications are accepted by telephone, fax or mail. If space is available, permits can be reserved up to two (2) days before your trip entry date. For example, if you plan to enter the wilderness on Friday, we will stop taking reservations for that day at the close of business on Wednesday. If time does not allow us to mail out a confirmation letter, we'll provide instructions for how to pick up your permit over the phone or by fax. If you are applying a week or less before your trip date, we recommend that you apply by phone. Also see the information for " Other Trails" and " Trail Crest" exit if your trip will start somewhere other than Whitney Portal.

After the lottery…when can I apply for dates with space left? After the lottery is completed, usually by April 1st, all dates with space still available for the Mt. Whitney trail will be listed on the Mt. Whitney reservation availability calendar. The Wilderness Permit Reservation Office will begin accepting new applications, or make changes to existing reservations,
beginning on the following dates:

• For trips that will begin in May, June or July, apply the 3th Wednesday of April or later.(April 21,2010)
• For trips that will begin in August, September or later, apply the 4th Wednesday of April or later.(April 28. 2010)

What is Trail Crest? If your trip will end at Whitney Portal by way of the Mt. Whitney trail, but will begin on some other trail on Inyo National Forest, your exit point will be called “Trail Crest”. The Trail Crest exit quota is 25 people per day; 60% can be reserved and 40% will be set aside for walk in permits. Reservations for Trail Crest exit can be made up to six months in advance of your entry date along with your entry trail. You cannot use a Day Use permit to pass through the area as part of overnight trip. You do NOT apply to the Mt. Whitney Lottery. When using Trail Crest exit the $15.00 per person Mt .Whitney Zone reservation fee would apply instead of the $5.00 per person fee. Trail Crest exit space does not apply if your trip originates in Yosemite or Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. See reservation availability for "All Other Trails" for dates that Trail Crest exit space is already full.

US Forest Service - Inyo National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27 January 2010 at 05:22:46 EST