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Inyo NF Duck Pass (JMT) permit
Wilderness permit for entry via Duck Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access ...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Cottonwood Pass (PCT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Cottonwood Pass (PCT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Cottonwood Pass (PCT) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Cottonwood Pass (PCT) Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonJune 30 - September 15
CostRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Max Group Size15 people
Cottonwood Pass (PCT) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Cottonwood Pass (PCT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Cottonwood Pass (PCT) is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Cottonwood Pass (PCT) runs June 30 through September 15.
- Cancelled Cottonwood Pass (PCT) permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonJune 30 - September 15
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationEastern Sierra, CA
Pro Tips
- •Check the trailhead name twice at booking - Cottonwood Pass and Cottonwood Lakes leave from the same road and are different permits
- •The quota window here is only June 30 to September 15, which is much tighter than the rest of Inyo
- •Sleep at Horseshoe Meadows campground the night before to take the edge off the altitude
- •Carry more water than the map suggests in August, when the meadow streams drop
- •This is the sane approach to Whitney's west side if the Whitney lottery did not go your way
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
2-5 days
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A trailhead at Horseshoe Meadows that starts high and climbs gently
- •A Cottonwood Pass quota season of June 30 to September 15, 2026, distinct from the rest of Inyo
- •A permit that may continue on the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail
- •Loop options branching from Big Whitney Meadow
- •No access to Cottonwood Lakes on this permit
Best Time to Visit
The Cottonwood Pass quota season is June 30 to September 15 in 2026, which is effectively the season. August is the most stable weather. Early September gives cold nights and the quietest meadows before the quota window closes.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Altitude from the first step, since the trailhead itself is high
- !Thin water between meadows in late summer
- !Afternoon thunderstorms on the open plateau
- !Bears in the Golden Trout drainages, which is why containers are required
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
- Windy conditions: Bring wind-resistant shelter if camping.
Today
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90°
65°
Sun
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71°
56°
Mon
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81°
52°
Tue
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82°
57°
Wed
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82°
57°
Thu
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87°
58°
Fri
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90°
64°
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: July and AugustShoulder: Early September
Conditions
Warm days on the plateau, cold nights, thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Gentlest crest crossing in the southern Sierra
- +Direct PCT connection toward Crabtree and Whitney
- +Loop options from Big Whitney Meadow
Challenges
- !Quota season is short, only June 30 to September 15
- !Water gets scarce late in summer
- !Storms on open ground
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Parties heading for Whitney's west side, PCT section hikers, and anyone who wants high country without a brutal climb.
Recommended Experience
A night spent at altitude before starting, and comfort navigating open meadow country.
Not Recommended For
Unacclimatized hikers, since camp on night one is already above 10,000 feet.
About This Permit
Cottonwood Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point at Horseshoe Meadows above Lone Pine, opening the northern Golden Trout Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail.
This trailhead has its own quota calendar. Inyo lists a quota season for Cottonwood Pass and the Golden Trout Wilderness running June 30 to September 15, 2026, when the number of people per day is limited. Reservations open six months in advance at 7 am Pacific and additional permits are released two weeks ahead. The forest's general non-quota season runs November 2 to April 30 with a two-week booking window.
The permit may continue on the PCT and the John Muir Trail. It does not cover Cottonwood Lakes, which is a separate permit from a nearby trailhead.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Cottonwood Pass is the standard southern approach for hikers heading to Whitney the long way. Inyo National Forest describes it as the gateway to the northern part of the Golden Trout Wilderness, connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail near the top of Cottonwood Pass, with small streams meandering through tree-rimmed meadows in a wilderness named for California's state fish.
The Route
From Horseshoe Meadows the trail climbs steadily to Cottonwood Pass and meets the Pacific Crest Trail near the top. Inyo says options for loop trips of various lengths branch out from Big Whitney Meadow.
Turning north on the PCT takes you into Sequoia National Park, to Crabtree Meadows and the headwaters of the Kern River, which is the standard approach to Mount Whitney's western side. Inyo confirms a Cottonwood Pass permit may continue on the PCT and JMT.
One booking trap: Inyo states clearly that this permit does not go to Cottonwood Lakes, and that trips toward Cottonwood Lakes are a different permit. The two trailheads leave from the same road.
The Feeling
The trailhead does most of the climbing for you. From Horseshoe Meadows the grade is kind, the forest is open, and the meadows are wide and quiet. Following the PCT north into Sequoia National Park takes you to Crabtree Meadows and the headwaters of the Kern, which is Whitney's back side.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires at Rocky Basin Lakes or Chicken Spring Lake
- •Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash in this area
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •Golden Trout Wilderness regulations apply
- •Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply once you enter the park, including no pets and an off-trail group size limit of 8
- •Trips going toward Cottonwood Lakes are a different permit
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear canister - Inyo requires containers in this food storage restriction area
- A stove, since fires are prohibited at Chicken Spring Lake and Rocky Basin Lakes
- Water treatment for the meadow streams
- Warm layers for camps above 10,000 feet even in August
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Cottonwood Pass (PCT)
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Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
Horseshoe Meadows trailhead
The high starting point on the Horseshoe Meadows Road above Lone Pine.
Cottonwood Pass
Where the trail meets the Pacific Crest Trail near the top.
Big Whitney Meadow
Inyo's named hub, where loop trips of various lengths branch out.
Chicken Spring Lake
On the PCT just north of the pass. No campfires here, per the permit conditions.
Crabtree Meadows
North on the PCT inside Sequoia National Park, at the headwaters of the Kern.
Safety & Planning
Cottonwood Pass (PCT) FAQ
Does a Cottonwood Pass permit cover Cottonwood Lakes?
No. Inyo National Forest states plainly that this permit does not go to Cottonwood Lakes, and that trips going toward Cottonwood Lakes are a different permit.
When is the Cottonwood Pass quota season?
Inyo lists a quota season for Cottonwood Pass and the Golden Trout Wilderness from June 30 to September 15, 2026. That is shorter than the forest's general May 1 to November 1 quota season.
Can I hike the Pacific Crest Trail on a Cottonwood Pass permit?
Yes. Inyo states a Cottonwood Pass permit may continue on the PCT and JMT. Following the PCT north into Sequoia National Park leads to Crabtree Meadows and the headwaters of the Kern River.
Are campfires allowed on the Cottonwood Pass trail?
Not at Rocky Basin Lakes or Chicken Spring Lake. Inyo also designates this a bear container required area for food and trash storage.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening light across Big Whitney Meadow, with the Great Western Divide catching the last sun.
Best Light
Early morning at Chicken Spring Lake, before wind puts a chop on it.
Beat the Crowds
The PCT corridor is busy in July and August. Turn into the Golden Trout side toward Rocky Basin Lakes and you will lose everyone.
Classic Shots
- 📍Horseshoe Meadows from the first switchbacks
- 📍Chicken Spring Lake in its granite bowl
- 📍The Kern plateau from the PCT heading north
Can't Get a Cottonwood Pass (PCT) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Cottonwood Lakes
Same AreaThe neighbouring trailhead into the Cottonwood Lakes basin and New Army Pass.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Better lake camping and the Mount Langley approach, but a separate permit and its own quota.
Trail Pass
Easier AlternativeThe short PCT connector from Horseshoe Meadows, listed by Inyo as non-quota.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Easier to get and quicker to the PCT, with less scenery on the approach.
Mt Whitney Trail Crest Exit
Similar ExperienceThe exit-quota permit for parties finishing over Trail Crest and down to Whitney Portal.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Needed only if you exit that way, and it carries the Mt. Whitney pack-out requirement.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Cottonwood Pass (PCT) trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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