How to Get a Duck Pass (JMT) Permit
Four lakes on the way up and Duck Lake's absurd blue on the way down, on the shortest walk from a Mammoth trailhead to the John Muir Trail.
Check Duck Pass (JMT) permit availabilityRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Permit Cost
2-4 days
Duration
moderate
Difficulty
About Duck Pass (JMT)
Duck Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point in the Mammoth Lakes basin, climbing from Coldwater Campground into the John Muir Wilderness and over the pass to the John Muir Trail. Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026, with reservations opening six months ahead at 7 am Pacific and additional permits released two weeks in advance. Outside that window the trailhead is non-quota with a two-week booking window. The permit is unusually flexible for a JMT connection. Inyo states a Duck Pass permit may continue on the John Muir Trail either north or south, which makes it a genuine option for hikers who lost the Yosemite lottery and want to start their JMT further south.
Duck Pass is the fast way onto the John Muir Trail from Mammoth Lakes. Inyo National Forest describes the trail climbing the forested hillside behind Coldwater Campground and going past Arrowhead, Skelton, and Barney Lakes before crossing Duck Pass, with a permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail either north or south.
The Experience
It is a working climb through lodgepole with lakes appearing at regular intervals, and then the pass opens and Duck Lake is below you in a colour that does not look real. Inyo calls it an intense, deep blue, which is the rare case of an agency description being an understatement.
From the Coldwater Campground trailhead the trail climbs past Arrowhead, Skelton and Barney Lakes. Inyo notes a side trail to Emerald Lake as an alternate route to Skelton Lake, and says the Emerald Lake trail and the trail to Ram Lake are not recommended for stock.
Over Duck Pass the common destinations are Duck Lake and nearby Purple Lake, which is already on the John Muir Trail. From there the permit lets you turn north toward Devils Postpile or south toward Lake Virginia and the Silver Divide.
Camping restrictions are specific: no camping within 300 feet of the outlet of Duck Lake or Purple Lake, and no campfires in Coldwater Canyon, at Duck Creek or Purple Lake, or above 10,000 feet.
What to Expect
A forested climb past Arrowhead, Skelton and Barney Lakes to the pass
A permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail north or south
A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
Bear containers required for food and trash
An Emerald Lake side trail as an alternate route to Skelton Lake
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Permit Requirements
No campfires in Coldwater Canyon, at Duck Creek or Purple Lake, and no campfires above 10,000 feet
Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
No camping within 300 feet of the outlet of Duck Lake or Purple Lake
Maximum group size is 15
The Emerald Lake trail and the trail to Ram Lake are not recommended for stock
John Muir Wilderness regulations apply
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here
- •A stove, since fires are out above 10,000 feet and at the main lakes
- •Warm layers for camps above 10,000 feet
- •Water treatment
Hazards & Safety
A fast climb from a trailhead already near 9,000 feet
Snow on the pass into early summer, when the north-facing chute holds it longest
Afternoon storms once you are over the pass and out of the trees
Active bears in the Mammoth Lakes basin
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is when the pass is clear and the JMT connection is straightforward. Late September gives cold nights, no bugs and easier permits.
Pro Tips
This is the JMT permit to chase when Yosemite's Donohue-eligible trailheads are gone - it works north or south
Camp past the pass rather than at Barney if you want quiet, but stay 300 feet back from the Duck Lake outlet
Fires are out above 10,000 feet and at the named lakes, so carry a stove
Set a reminder for the two-week release, not just the six-month window
Use the Emerald Lake side trail on the way out for a different set of views
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 Duck Pass (JMT) permit?
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Duck Pass (JMT) permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Duck Pass (JMT)?
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The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is when the pass is clear and the JMT connection is straightforward. Late September gives cold nights, no bugs and easier permits.
How difficult is Duck Pass (JMT)?
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Backpackers based in Mammoth who want lakes fast, and JMT hikers looking for a southern start.
What gear do I need for Duck Pass (JMT)?
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Essential gear includes: A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here, A stove, since fires are out above 10,000 feet and at the main lakes, Warm layers for camps above 10,000 feet, Water treatment.
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