How to Get a JMT North of Devils Postpile Permit
The permit that lets you walk the John Muir Trail north from Devils Postpile all the way to Happy Isles, without ever entering the Yosemite lottery.
Check JMT North of Devils Postpile permit availabilityRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee. Every visitor to Reds Meadow Valley also pays a transportation fee that covers the mandatory shuttle bus.
Permit Cost
3-7 days
Duration
moderate
Difficulty
About JMT North of Devils Postpile
John Muir Trail North of Devils Postpile is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point in Reds Meadow Valley for hikers heading north on the JMT. Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026, with reservations opening six months in advance at 7 am Pacific and additional permits released two weeks ahead. The access road and shuttle set the practical season. The reason this permit matters is its reach. Inyo states it can include all the way to Happy Isles in Yosemite, which means a northbound JMT hike out of Mammoth needs no Yosemite wilderness lottery at all. It does not cover Beck, Fern or Minaret Lakes, and it does not cover the JMT south of Devils Postpile.
Inyo National Forest is explicit about the reach of this permit: it is to follow the John Muir Trail northward from the Devils Postpile area past Johnston Lake, Trinity Lakes and destinations farther north, and can include all the way to Happy Isles in Yosemite. For hikers who want the Yosemite half of the JMT and cannot win a Donohue Pass trailhead, this is the door.
The Experience
You start low, in forest, beside a river. Within a day the trail is climbing into the Ansel Adams high country with Shadow Lake, Garnet and Thousand Island stacked ahead, and then it is Donohue Pass and Lyell Canyon and the long walk down to the Valley.
Inyo describes the access: from the Devils Postpile Visitor Center, shuttle stop number 6, it is less than a mile to a bridge across the river and the junction with the John Muir Trail. From there the permit follows the JMT northward as it climbs above Minaret Falls.
The named waypoints going north are Johnston Lake and Trinity Lakes, and the route continues into the Ansel Adams Wilderness lake country and on into Yosemite.
Inyo draws the boundaries clearly. This permit does not include Beck, Fern or Minaret Lakes, and it does not include the John Muir Trail south of Devils Postpile. Camping is prohibited at Shadow Lake and near the outflow of Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake.
What to Expect
Access from the Devils Postpile Visitor Center at shuttle stop number 6, less than a mile to the JMT junction
A permit that can run north all the way to Happy Isles in Yosemite
A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
No Beck, Fern or Minaret Lakes, and nothing south of Devils Postpile
Yosemite wilderness regulations once you cross into the park, including no pets and no bear spray
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Permit Requirements
Campfires are prohibited in much of this area, and Inyo publishes a campfire restriction map
Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
No camping at Shadow Lake, or near the outflow of Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake
Maximum group size is 15
Ansel Adams Wilderness regulations apply, and Yosemite wilderness regulations apply if you enter the park
All visitors to Reds Meadow Valley pay a transportation fee that allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bear canister - required for food and trash storage on this permit and in Yosemite Wilderness beyond it
- •A stove, since campfires are prohibited in much of this area
- •Water treatment
- •Enough capacity to carry a full resupply, since the next reliable stop north is a long way off
Hazards & Safety
Bears in the Reds Meadow backpacker parking, where Inyo reports vehicle break-ins for food in 2026
Donohue Pass snow into early summer on a northbound itinerary
Afternoon storms above treeline through the Ansel Adams lakes
Shuttle timing at the start of the trip
Best Time to Visit
The quota season is May 1 to November 1, but a northbound JMT walk needs Donohue Pass clear, which usually means mid-July onward. September is the classic month for this direction: stable weather, fewer people, and cold nights.
Pro Tips
This is the JMT permit that skips the Yosemite lottery entirely if you walk northbound
Confirm the Reds Meadow shuttle is running for your start date before you book flights
Use the food lockers at the backpacker parking - Inyo reports bears breaking into vehicles there in 2026
Do not book this permit if your plan includes Minaret Lake, which needs its own reservation
Aim for a mid-July or later start so Donohue Pass is clear on a northbound itinerary
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 JMT North of Devils Postpile permit?
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JMT North of Devils Postpile permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit JMT North of Devils Postpile?
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The quota season is May 1 to November 1, but a northbound JMT walk needs Donohue Pass clear, which usually means mid-July onward. September is the classic month for this direction: stable weather, fewer people, and cold nights.
How difficult is JMT North of Devils Postpile?
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Hikers walking the Yosemite half of the John Muir Trail northbound, and anyone who missed the Donohue Pass trailheads.
What gear do I need for JMT North of Devils Postpile?
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Essential gear includes: A bear canister - required for food and trash storage on this permit and in Yosemite Wilderness beyond it, A stove, since campfires are prohibited in much of this area, Water treatment, Enough capacity to carry a full resupply, since the next reliable stop north is a long way off.
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