permit fax offline????

[kem.morehead]

I know this is an unofficial forum, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice. I sat at the fax machine today, waiting for 5pm PST to happen so I could immediately fax my permit request, but when I tried, there was no answer. It's not busy - it just rings and rings. It's like it's offline. I tried calling the backcountry office the other day and the recording says there's no one in the backcountry office from 12/20 to 1/2. I don't know what to do. I wanted to be first in line (or in the first batch of requests) for June 18th, but I can't get through. Has anyone had this happen to them? Do you have any advice? I'm so frustrated and I don't know what to do.

Thanks so much for any help or advice.

~kem

[Grzldvt]

You should be fine, June 18th is Weds and still pretty early in the season. If it were a Friday or Saturday, and March, I might be concerned about a June permit reservation. We go to one of the most popular locations in the park on a Sunday/Monday/Tuesday for the last 20 years around the same time and have been able to procure a walk-in permit with no issues at all.

[kem.morehead]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm especially concerned because we're a big group (11). I guess there's not much more I can do but keep trying and hope for the best. Thanks again!

[Grzldvt]

Even a big group you should be OK, A Half Dome permit would be the only one I would be slightly concerned about with a group that big.

[AlmostThere]

The max group size for half dome permits may be different than for wilderness permits.... It is difficult to get group permits for 10+ groups. I have never been able to get more than five on a wilderness permit.