How to Get a Baxter Pass (JMT) Permit
Six thousand feet of climbing in eight miles to reach the John Muir Trail, on the pass almost nobody chooses - which is exactly why it is still available.
Check Baxter Pass (JMT) permit availabilityRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Permit Cost
3-5 days
Duration
expert
Difficulty
About Baxter Pass (JMT)
Baxter Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point on the east side of the Sierra crest, giving access to the John Muir Wilderness and, over the top, to Kings Canyon National Park. The permit reserves your entry trailhead and your entry date. Inyo runs a quota season from May 1 to November 1 in 2026, when the number of people per day is limited. Reservations open six months ahead at 7 am Pacific, and additional permits are released two weeks in advance. From November 2 to April 30 the trailhead is non-quota, with permits bookable up to two weeks ahead and no daily people limit. This is a hard entry point. Inyo describes it as steep and rugged, with more than 6,000 feet of climbing to the crest, and asks hikers to start early. The reward is a trailhead that rarely sells out.
Inyo National Forest describes Baxter Pass bluntly: the trail is steep and rugged, starting near Oak Creek and climbing more than 6,000 feet to the Sierra Crest at Baxter Pass. It is one of the hardest ways over the crest and one of the least contested. For a JMT resupply exit or a back door into the Rae Lakes country, it trades sweat for permit odds.
The Experience
The lower canyon is hot, dry and east-facing, so the sun hits you at first light and does not let go. The trail is relentless. Then the crest arrives and the whole Kings Canyon backcountry drops away west in one view, and you understand why the few people who do this route keep coming back.
The trailhead sits near Oak Creek west of Independence. Inyo puts the top of the pass at approximately eight miles and the John Muir Trail junction at a total of 13 miles.
Inyo warns that it pays to start early in the day for this high elevation pass. Over the top the trail drops into Kings Canyon National Park, and the park's camping limits take over immediately: no camping at Bullfrog Lake, a two-night camping limit at Charlotte or Kearsarge Lakes, and in the Rae Lakes area a one-night camping limit per lake from Glen Pass to Dollar Lake.
Inyo also notes a smaller group size limit applies to hikers visiting 60 Lakes or Gardiner Basin, and that the trail is not recommended for stock.
What to Expect
Approximately eight miles to the pass and 13 miles total to the John Muir Trail, per Inyo
More than 6,000 feet of climbing from the trailhead to the crest
A quota season from May 1 to November 1, with a two-week release on top of the six-month window
Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness rules the moment you cross the pass
Very little company compared with Kearsarge or Bishop Pass
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Permit Requirements
No campfires above 10,400 feet
Food and refuse must be stored in a container designed to prevent access by bears, or counter-balanced at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally from a tree trunk where containers are not required
Maximum group size is 15
No camping at Bullfrog Lake
Two-night camping limit at Charlotte or Kearsarge Lakes
One-night camping limit per lake in the Rae Lakes area from Glen Pass to Dollar Lake
A smaller group size limit applies to hikers visiting 60 Lakes or Gardiner Basin
Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply once you enter the park, including no pets, no bear spray, and an off-trail group size limit of 8
Special approval is required for commercial use, and the trail is not recommended for stock
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup where containers are not required
- •Four litres of water capacity for the dry, east-facing climb
- •A stove, since campfires are out above 10,400 feet
- •Sun protection for a slope that gets full sun from dawn
- •Trekking poles for a 6,000-foot descent on the way out
Hazards & Safety
Heat and dehydration on the lower east-facing switchbacks, which is why Inyo tells you to start early
Altitude gain of more than 6,000 feet in eight miles, faster than most people acclimatize
Lingering snow at the pass in early season
Afternoon thunderstorms on an exposed crest crossing
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. Late July through September is when the pass is reliably clear of snow and the creek crossings have dropped. Early season means snow at 12,000 feet on a slope with no easy escape.
Pro Tips
Start before dawn - the east-facing climb bakes by mid-morning and Inyo says so outright
Carry water high. The upper canyon is dry and the pass is 8 miles up
Watch the two-week release, not just the six-month window - Inyo puts more permits out at 14 days
Plan Kings Canyon camping around the limits: no Bullfrog Lake, two nights at Charlotte or Kearsarge, one night per lake in Rae Lakes
If you want the same terrain for a fraction of the climb, apply for Kearsarge Pass first and keep Baxter as the backup
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Baxter Pass (JMT) permit?
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Baxter Pass (JMT) permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Baxter Pass (JMT)?
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The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. Late July through September is when the pass is reliably clear of snow and the creek crossings have dropped. Early season means snow at 12,000 feet on a slope with no easy escape.
How difficult is Baxter Pass (JMT)?
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Fit, acclimatized backpackers who want a JMT connection or a Rae Lakes trip and are willing to take the hardest door in.
What gear do I need for Baxter Pass (JMT)?
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Essential gear includes: A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup where containers are not required, Four litres of water capacity for the dry, east-facing climb, A stove, since campfires are out above 10,400 feet, Sun protection for a slope that gets full sun from dawn, Trekking poles for a 6,000-foot descent on the way out.
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