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Inyo NF Bishop Pass (JMT) permit
Wilderness permit for entry via Bishop Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Acces...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Baxter Pass (JMT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Baxter Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Baxter Pass (JMT) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Baxter Pass (JMT) Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
CostRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Max Group Size15 people
Baxter Pass (JMT) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Baxter Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Baxter Pass (JMT) is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Baxter Pass (JMT) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Baxter Pass (JMT) permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationEastern Sierra, CA
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
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
3-5 days
Difficulty
ExpertHighlights
- •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
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !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
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- Day 5: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- Day 6: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
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75°
49°
Sun
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70°
50°
Mon
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79°
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Tue
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85°
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Wed
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95°
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95°
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93°
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View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: Late July through SeptemberShoulder: Early July and October
Conditions
Hot on the climb, clear at the pass by late July, thunderstorms most afternoons.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Pass usually snow-free from late July
- +Full access to the Rae Lakes and 60 Lakes country over the top
- +Permits available when Kearsarge and Bishop Pass are gone
Challenges
- !Brutal heat on the lower canyon
- !Little water low on the climb
- !Storms on an exposed crest
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand5/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment4/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Fit, acclimatized backpackers who want a JMT connection or a Rae Lakes trip and are willing to take the hardest door in.
Recommended Experience
Prior high-altitude backpacking and at least one long, sustained climb with a full load.
Not Recommended For
Anyone who has not climbed 5,000 feet in a day with a pack, parties with stock, or first trips at altitude.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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.
The Feeling
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.
Rules & Regulations
- •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 Checklist
Required
- 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
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Baxter Pass (JMT)
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Key Landmarks
Oak Creek trailhead
Start of the climb, west of Independence.
Baxter Pass
Inyo's mileage to the top of the pass, where the trail crosses into Kings Canyon National Park.
John Muir Trail junction
Inyo's total mileage from the trailhead to the JMT.
Rae Lakes area
One-night camping limit per lake from Glen Pass to Dollar Lake, per the permit conditions.
Baxter Pass (JMT) FAQ
How hard is the Baxter Pass trail?
Inyo National Forest calls it steep and rugged, with more than 6,000 feet of climbing from near Oak Creek to the crest, and advises starting early in the day. The pass is about eight miles from the trailhead.
How far is it from Baxter Pass to the John Muir Trail?
Inyo puts it at 13 miles total from the trailhead to the John Muir Trail junction, of which roughly the first eight climb to the pass.
Do I need a bear canister for a Baxter Pass wilderness permit?
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. Once you cross into Kings Canyon, park rules apply as well.
When can I reserve a Baxter Pass permit?
Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026. Reservations open six months in advance at 7 am Pacific, and additional permits become available two weeks in advance. Outside the quota season permits are non-quota and bookable two weeks ahead.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Photography Guide
Golden Hour
First light on the Sierra crest from the lower switchbacks, looking straight into the sun over the Owens Valley.
Best Light
Late afternoon from the pass looking west into Kings Canyon, when the ranges stack up in layers.
Beat the Crowds
There is nothing to avoid on the climb. The people appear once you hit the John Muir Trail at mile 13.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Owens Valley falling away behind you on the climb
- 📍The view west from Baxter Pass into Kings Canyon National Park
- 📍Rae Lakes basin, if your itinerary reaches it
Can't Get a Baxter Pass (JMT) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Kearsarge Pass
Similar ExperienceThe standard eastside crossing into the Rae Lakes and Bullfrog country from Onion Valley.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far less climbing and a much shorter approach to the JMT, but the most competitive Inyo trailhead there is.
Sawmill Pass
Same AreaThe next eastside pass north, another long dry climb to the crest and the JMT.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Similar difficulty and similar solitude, with a different set of lakes on the west side.
Shepherd Pass
Similar ExperienceA 6,000-foot climb from Symmes Creek to a 12,000-foot pass and the Tyndall Creek JMT junction.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Every bit as demanding, and it lands you further south near the Whitney approach.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Baxter Pass (JMT) trip
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