Shepherd Pass (JMT) Permit - Inyo NF, CA

Very High DemandReservation4 min read

Updated August 10, 2026

How to Get a Shepherd Pass (JMT) Permit

A demanding 6,000 feet from the valley floor to a 12,000-foot pass that keeps a steep snow bank at the top in many years, all summer long.

Check Shepherd Pass (JMT) permit availability

Recreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.

Permit Cost

3-6 days

Duration

expert

Difficulty

About Shepherd Pass (JMT)

Shepherd Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point west of Independence, climbing from Symmes Creek over the Sierra crest into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The permit reserves your entry trailhead and entry date. 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 and bookable up to two weeks ahead. This is one of the hardest maintained approaches on the east side. Inyo describes a demanding 6,000-foot climb to a 12,000-foot pass, warns that a large steep snow bank lingers year-round at the top in many years, and says it may be impassable to stock.

Shepherd Pass is the back door to the Mount Williamson and Tyndall country and one of the few eastside routes that puts you on the John Muir Trail deep in the southern Sierra. Inyo National Forest describes it starting along Symmes Creek and climbing a demanding 6,000 feet from the valley floor to the 12,000-foot Shepherd Pass where it crosses the Sierra Crest, then descending into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to the Tyndall Creek junction of the John Muir Trail.

The Experience

The trail earns its reputation in the first hours, crossing Symmes Creek several times and then climbing a set of switchbacks that gains a thousand feet only to give some of it back. Above Anvil Camp the world turns to talus and the pass sits there, unreasonably high, for hours before you reach it.

From Symmes Creek the trail climbs steadily toward Anvil Camp, the last sheltered ground before the pass. Inyo's advice is plain: it pays to be fit and start early for this pass.

At the top the trail crosses the Sierra Crest at about 12,000 feet. Inyo notes that in many years a large steep snow bank lingers year-round at the top of this challenging pass and may be impassable to stock. Parties should plan for snow at the crest regardless of the calendar.

Over the pass the trail descends into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and continues to the Tyndall Creek junction with the John Muir Trail, which opens the whole Whitney and Kern country.

What to Expect

About 6,000 feet of climbing from the valley floor to a 12,000-foot pass, per Inyo

Several Symmes Creek crossings in the first miles

A snow bank at the pass that lingers year-round in many years

A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release

A descent into Sequoia and Kings Canyon to the Tyndall Creek JMT junction

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Permit Requirements

No campfires at Anvil Camp, and 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

John Muir Wilderness regulations apply on the east side

Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply once you enter the parks, including no pets, no bear spray, and a group size limit of 8 for the Sphinx Creek and Brewer Range area

Gear & Preparation

Required Gear

•A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup where containers are not required
•An ice axe and the skill to use it if there is snow at the pass
•A stove, since fires are prohibited at Anvil Camp and above 10,400 feet
•Large water capacity for the long dry stretches on the climb
•Trekking poles for the descent

Hazards & Safety

The year-round snow bank at the top of the pass, which Inyo calls out specifically

6,000 feet of climbing in a single approach, well ahead of most acclimatization

Symmes Creek crossings during runoff

Afternoon thunderstorms above treeline with no shelter between Anvil Camp and the pass

Best Time to Visit

The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. August and September are the most reliable for the pass, and even then Inyo says the snow bank can persist. Early season means snow travel on a steep, exposed slope.

Pro Tips

Be fit and start early - that is Inyo's own advice for this pass, not ours

Carry an axe unless you have a current report saying the pass is clear

Anvil Camp is the last sheltered ground, so plan to sleep there rather than push the headwall late

No fires at Anvil Camp or above 10,400 feet, so a stove is not optional

The two-week release adds permits on top of the six-month window - set an alert for both

Written by

PermitSnag Team

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a Shepherd Pass (JMT) permit?

Shepherd Pass (JMT) permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.

When is the best time to visit Shepherd Pass (JMT)?

How difficult is Shepherd Pass (JMT)?

Strong, acclimatized parties heading for Mount Tyndall, Mount Williamson or a southern JMT connection.

What gear do I need for Shepherd Pass (JMT)?

Essential gear includes: A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup where containers are not required, An ice axe and the skill to use it if there is snow at the pass, A stove, since fires are prohibited at Anvil Camp and above 10,400 feet, Large water capacity for the long dry stretches on the climb, Trekking poles for the descent.