Reservation5/10
Birch Lake cancellations
Wilderness permit for entry via Birch Lake in Inyo National Forest. Access to Jo...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Big Pine Creek South Fork
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Big Pine Creek South Fork in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Big Pine Creek South Fork were gone within 10 minutes.
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
Start a plan — it's free
No permit needed to start
Big Pine Creek South Fork Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
CostRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Max Group Size15 people
Big Pine Creek South Fork Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Big Pine Creek South Fork in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Big Pine Creek South Fork is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Big Pine Creek South Fork runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Big Pine Creek South Fork 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 Level7/10
LocationEastern Sierra, CA
Pro Tips
- •Plan the ford for a morning, when overnight cold has dropped the creek
- •Carry footwear you can cross in, because the bridge has been gone since 2011
- •Above Willow Lake, stop and find the next cairn before you move
- •This is the fork with permits when the North Fork is sold out
- •Stock parties should turn around at Willow Lake, per Inyo
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
2-4 days
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •A creek ford where the bridge used to be, since spring 2011
- •A maintained trail that fades to cairns above Willow Lake
- •Brainard and Finger Lakes under the Norman Clyde and Middle Palisade Glaciers
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- •No North Fork access on this permit
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. Late July through September is best, once runoff has dropped and the ford is manageable. Avoid peak snowmelt if you are not confident crossing moving water.
Hazards & Considerations
- !The unbridged South Fork Creek crossing, especially during high spring runoff
- !Route-finding above Willow Lake where the trail is indistinct
- !Loose ground on the approach to the upper lakes
- !Afternoon thunderstorms with no shelter in the upper basin
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Windy conditions: Bring wind-resistant shelter if camping.
Today
🌫️
69°
56°
Sun
☁️
70°
51°
Mon
☀️
74°
50°
Tue
☀️
71°
51°
Wed
☀️
71°
52°
Thu
☀️
73°
53°
Fri
☀️
74°
53°
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
High water early, then a straightforward ford. Storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Almost no one else up here
- +Middle Palisade views from the upper lakes
- +Permits generally available
Challenges
- !The ford is real during runoff
- !Cairn navigation above Willow Lake
- !Exposed upper basin in storms
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers comfortable with a ford and with following cairns on open ground.
Recommended Experience
Prior off-trail navigation and at least one unbridged creek crossing.
Not Recommended For
First-time Sierra backpackers, stock parties beyond Willow Lake, and anyone uneasy crossing moving water.
About This Permit
Big Pine Creek South Fork is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point above Big Pine, climbing the South Fork toward Brainard and Finger Lakes.
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.
Two things make this the harder fork. Inyo states the bridge across the South Fork Creek was destroyed by avalanche in spring 2011, so the crossing is a ford, and the trail beyond Willow Lake becomes indistinct with rock cairns marking the way. The permit does not include the North Fork.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Inyo National Forest describes the Big Pine South Fork trail to Brainard and Finger Lakes climbing beneath the Norman Clyde and Middle Palisade Glaciers with views of the jagged crest of the Middle Palisades. It is the quiet fork, and the reason is right there in the agency's own text: the bridge is gone and the trail runs out.
The Route
Inyo is direct about the crossing: the bridge across the South Fork Creek was destroyed by avalanche in spring 2011, so expect to get your feet wet and use caution with high spring runoff.
Above Willow Lake the trail becomes indistinct, with rock cairns marking the way to the upper lakes. Brainard and Finger Lakes sit beneath the Norman Clyde and Middle Palisade Glaciers.
This permit does not include the North Fork, and Inyo asks you to check the area map to select the correct trail. Campfires are prohibited, and stock is not recommended beyond Willow Lake.
The Feeling
You get wet feet early and you stay honest the rest of the way. Above Willow Lake the trail stops being a trail and becomes a line of cairns across slabs, with the Middle Palisade crest getting bigger every hour.
Rules & Regulations
- •This permit does not include the North Fork
- •No campfires
- •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
- •Stock is not recommended beyond Willow Lake
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply if you enter the park, including no pets, no bear spray, and a group size limit of eight in Palisade Basin
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup
- A stove, since campfires are prohibited
- Shoes or sandals you are willing to ford in
- A map and the ability to follow cairns above Willow Lake
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Big Pine Creek South Fork
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
South Fork Creek crossing
The bridge was destroyed by avalanche in spring 2011. Expect a ford.
Willow Lake
Where the maintained trail ends and cairns take over.
Brainard Lake
Beneath the Norman Clyde and Middle Palisade Glaciers.
Finger Lake
The upper lake under the Middle Palisade crest.
Safety & Planning
Big Pine Creek South Fork FAQ
Is there a bridge on the Big Pine Creek South Fork trail?
No. Inyo National Forest states the bridge across the South Fork Creek was destroyed by avalanche in spring 2011, so expect to get your feet wet and use caution with high spring runoff.
Does a Big Pine Creek South Fork permit include the North Fork?
No. Inyo states this permit does not include the North Fork and asks you to check the area map to select the correct trail.
How hard is the trail above Willow Lake?
Inyo says the trail beyond Willow Lake becomes indistinct, with rock cairns marking the way to the upper lakes. Bring a map and be prepared to route-find.
Are campfires allowed on the Big Pine Creek South Fork trail?
No. Inyo prohibits campfires on this entry point.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Big Pine Creek South Fork.
Trip Reports
Write ReportNo trip reports yet
Be the first to share your experience at Big Pine Creek South Fork.
Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Dawn on the Middle Palisade crest from Finger Lake.
Best Light
Late afternoon at Brainard Lake, when the glaciers above catch side light.
Beat the Crowds
There is nothing to avoid. This is one of the quietest Big Pine basins.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Middle Palisade crest from Finger Lake
- 📍The cairned slabs above Willow Lake
- 📍Norman Clyde Peak from Brainard
Can't Get a Big Pine Creek South Fork Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Big Pine Creek North Fork
Same AreaThe neighbouring fork to the numbered Big Pine Lakes and the Palisade Glacier.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Maintained trail the whole way and better-known lakes, on a busier permit.
Bishop Pass -South Lake
Similar ExperienceOver the crest into Dusy Basin and the John Muir Trail.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Better trail and bigger country, on the most contested Bishop-area permit.
Taboose Pass
Similar ExperienceA steep crest crossing south of Big Pine to the John Muir Trail.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much more climbing, and 2019 fire damage still on the ground.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Big Pine Creek South Fork trip
A small favor
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Add PermitSnag in Google
Takes less than a minute.