How to Get a Taboose Pass (JMT) Permit
More than 6,000 feet of climbing in 6.5 miles, from Owens Valley sage to an 11,350-foot pass. The steepest sustained grade to the John Muir Trail.
Check Taboose 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 Taboose Pass (JMT)
Taboose Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point on the Owens Valley floor south of Big Pine, climbing Taboose Creek Canyon to the Sierra crest and the John Muir Trail. 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. Outside that window the trailhead is non-quota with a two-week booking window. Inyo's own figures make the case: more than 6,000 feet of climbing in 6.5 miles to an 11,350-foot pass. The forest also warns that hazards remain from the 2019 wildfire, including potential rock fall and unstable terrain during rain or snowmelt.
Inyo National Forest describes the trail beginning in the sage environment of the Owens Valley with a strenuous climb of more than 6,000 feet in 6.5 miles up Taboose Creek Canyon, crossing 11,350-foot Taboose Pass between Cardinal Mountain and Goodale Mountain and entering Kings Canyon National Park to join the John Muir Trail at the headwaters of the South Fork of the Kings River, south of Mather Pass.
The Experience
Nothing on the east side is steeper for as long. You start in sagebrush at desert temperature and finish in alpine tundra on the same day, watching several biologic zones go past in a few hours of relentless climbing.
The trail climbs Taboose Creek Canyon from the Owens Valley floor. Inyo's numbers are the whole story: more than 6,000 feet in 6.5 miles.
Over 11,350-foot Taboose Pass the trail enters Kings Canyon National Park and joins the John Muir Trail at the headwaters of the South Fork of the Kings River, south of Mather Pass. That places you deep in the JMT's best stretch with a single, brutal day of walking.
Inyo carries a standing warning for this canyon: many hazards remain in this area from the 2019 wildfire including potential rock fall, and hikers should beware of unstable terrain especially during rain events or snow melt. The trail is not recommended for stock.
What to Expect
More than 6,000 feet of climbing in 6.5 miles, per Inyo
An 11,350-foot pass between Cardinal Mountain and Goodale Mountain
A John Muir Trail junction at the headwaters of the South Fork Kings River, south of Mather Pass
Standing wildfire hazards from 2019, including rock fall and unstable terrain
A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
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Permit Requirements
No campfires above 10,400 feet or along Taboose Creek
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
This trail is not recommended for stock
Maximum group size is 15
John Muir Wilderness regulations apply, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon regulations apply once you enter the park, including no pets and no bear spray
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup
- •Four or more litres of water capacity for a hot, exposed climb
- •A stove, since fires are banned along the creek and above 10,400 feet
- •A helmet is worth considering given the standing rock fall warning
- •Trekking poles for the descent
Hazards & Safety
Rock fall and unstable terrain left by the 2019 wildfire, which Inyo warns about specifically
Extreme heat low in the canyon, with no shade
More than 6,000 feet of gain in a single day for most parties
Storms at the pass with no shelter
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. September and early October are the sane months here, when the canyon is cool enough to climb. Midsummer afternoons on this slope are punishing.
Pro Tips
Start at 3 or 4 in the morning in summer, because the canyon has no shade at any hour
Carry more water than you think, since the lower canyon is dry
Avoid the climb during or right after rain, given the standing rock fall warning
September is the month for this pass, not July
If Kearsarge and Bishop Pass are gone, this one almost never is
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 Taboose Pass (JMT) permit?
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Taboose Pass (JMT) permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Taboose Pass (JMT)?
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The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. September and early October are the sane months here, when the canyon is cool enough to climb. Midsummer afternoons on this slope are punishing.
How difficult is Taboose Pass (JMT)?
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Very fit, acclimatized parties who want the fastest line to the southern John Muir Trail and do not mind paying for it.
What gear do I need for Taboose Pass (JMT)?
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Essential gear includes: A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup, Four or more litres of water capacity for a hot, exposed climb, A stove, since fires are banned along the creek and above 10,400 feet, A helmet is worth considering given the standing rock fall warning, Trekking poles for the descent.
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