Demand for permits out of Tuolumne for first week of June?

[bmk92]

Me and some buddies are taking a 4 day backpacking trip and wanna start out of Tuolumne. We're all roadtripping out there, and we know the only way to really guarantee a permit is to be there the day before you start the hike to reserve it. The problem is, we're not sure if we're going to be able to get there in time to be there early on the 4th for a start on the 5th. We were wondering if anybody here is knowledgeable as to how in demand backpacking permits are out of tuolumne in early june? We'd be heading towards Glen Aulin.

[Grzldvt]

The 5th is actually full, much to my amazement. Must be a large group, with schools getting out in May I would go for a walk-in on the 4th and see what happens. Looks like they changed the dynamics of the web page as the Trailheads Full page is now a PDF - http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm.

[AlmostThere]

Actually, the way to guarantee a permit is to reserve one five months in advance.

You can also wait around til the 5th at 11 when they let go of the reserved permits that went unclaimed. There are three chances here:

permits starting on the 4th, if any are available on the 4th
permits starting on the 5th, if any are available on the 4th
permits unclaimed on the 5th for the 5th

Or you could have faxed in a reservation request five months ago.

You'd have a better chance at walk ins on a midweek day, and if there are few of you. That's an extremely popular trailhead.

[robow8]

I'm new to this permit process too, but couldn't he call in and get a reservation for the 4th?

[bmk92]

I'm new to this permit process too, but couldn't he call in and get a reservation for the 4th?

Yeah, wait, is this a possibility?

[robow8]

According to the Full Trailheads Report, June 5 and June 9 are full. That means that June 4, 6, 7, & 8 have openings.

The office is open today until 4pm Pacific time. Call them. 209/372-0740

[bmk92]

According to the Full Trailheads Report, June 5 and June 9 are full. That means that June 4, 6, 7, & 8 have openings.

The office is open today until 4pm Pacific time. Call them. 209/372-0740

So even if we didnt really start the hike until the 5th, we can reserve a trailhead for the 4th and as long as we pick it up before they close the office on the 4th, we'll be okay?

[robow8]

No, there are no more openings for the 5th. You would have to start your hike on June 4, 6, 7, or 8.

[AlmostThere]

you MUST have a permit for the day you start hiking. there are ways to get it the day before - but you can not have a permit for the 4th and start the next day.

if there is space available you can reserve for the 4th but waiting to hike until the 5th is the same as not having a permit. quotas are intended to control the number of people entering each day.

[robow8]

So if you have to start on the 5th, your only option for that trailhead is to try to get a walkup permit.

[AlmostThere]

I would reserve for the 4th and tell them you will get there late (you must do that so they continue to hold the permit after 11) then hike in to Glen Aulin - it's all downhill - even if you have to hike by headlamp for the last little bit. The days are long enough.

But, you still have to get to the office before closing hours to get the permit.

[Grzldvt]

And this is one of the trailheads where I have been checked by Rangers for a permit because it is incredibly popular.

[AlmostThere]

I've seen rangers a day's walk from many of the trailheads - Ten Lakes, Hetch Hetchy, Cathedral, Happy Isles. A friend of mine made the youthful mistake of heading out without one - a ranger found him three days out and walked him all the way back to his car. They'll fine you harder for having a dog or having improper food storage, but they take the permit thing quite seriously.