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Wilderness permit for entry via High Trail – PCT (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. ...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Duck Pass (JMT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Duck Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Duck Pass (JMT) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Duck 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
Duck Pass (JMT) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Duck Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Duck Pass (JMT) is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Duck Pass (JMT) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Duck 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
- •This is the JMT permit to chase when Yosemite's Donohue-eligible trailheads are gone - it works north or south
- •Camp past the pass rather than at Barney if you want quiet, but stay 300 feet back from the Duck Lake outlet
- •Fires are out above 10,000 feet and at the named lakes, so carry a stove
- •Set a reminder for the two-week release, not just the six-month window
- •Use the Emerald Lake side trail on the way out for a different set of views
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
2-4 days
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A forested climb past Arrowhead, Skelton and Barney Lakes to the pass
- •A permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail north or south
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- •Bear containers required for food and trash
- •An Emerald Lake side trail as an alternate route to Skelton Lake
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is when the pass is clear and the JMT connection is straightforward. Late September gives cold nights, no bugs and easier permits.
Hazards & Considerations
- !A fast climb from a trailhead already near 9,000 feet
- !Snow on the pass into early summer, when the north-facing chute holds it longest
- !Afternoon storms once you are over the pass and out of the trees
- !Active bears in the Mammoth Lakes basin
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
- Day 3: Wind gusts to 44mph. Secure tent, avoid exposed ridges.
Today
☀️
95°
51°
Sun
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94°
62°
Mon
⛅
85°
51°
Tue
☀️
87°
61°
Wed
☀️
88°
61°
Thu
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90°
64°
Fri
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93°
67°
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 through SeptemberShoulder: Late June and October
Conditions
Snow clears the pass by early to mid July most years. Afternoon storms.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Shortest Mammoth approach to the John Muir Trail
- +All four lakes accessible
- +Permit works north or south on the JMT
Challenges
- !One of the more contested Mammoth trailheads
- !Mosquitoes at the lower lakes in early summer
- !Storms above the pass
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
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers based in Mammoth who want lakes fast, and JMT hikers looking for a southern start.
Recommended Experience
A previous overnight at altitude and comfort with a steady 2,000-foot climb.
Not Recommended For
Parties arriving straight from sea level, since the trailhead is already high and the pass is higher.
About This Permit
Duck Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point in the Mammoth Lakes basin, climbing from Coldwater Campground into the John Muir Wilderness and over the pass to the John Muir Trail.
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 with a two-week booking window.
The permit is unusually flexible for a JMT connection. Inyo states a Duck Pass permit may continue on the John Muir Trail either north or south, which makes it a genuine option for hikers who lost the Yosemite lottery and want to start their JMT further south.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Duck Pass is the fast way onto the John Muir Trail from Mammoth Lakes. Inyo National Forest describes the trail climbing the forested hillside behind Coldwater Campground and going past Arrowhead, Skelton, and Barney Lakes before crossing Duck Pass, with a permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail either north or south.
The Route
From the Coldwater Campground trailhead the trail climbs past Arrowhead, Skelton and Barney Lakes. Inyo notes a side trail to Emerald Lake as an alternate route to Skelton Lake, and says the Emerald Lake trail and the trail to Ram Lake are not recommended for stock.
Over Duck Pass the common destinations are Duck Lake and nearby Purple Lake, which is already on the John Muir Trail. From there the permit lets you turn north toward Devils Postpile or south toward Lake Virginia and the Silver Divide.
Camping restrictions are specific: no camping within 300 feet of the outlet of Duck Lake or Purple Lake, and no campfires in Coldwater Canyon, at Duck Creek or Purple Lake, or above 10,000 feet.
The Feeling
It is a working climb through lodgepole with lakes appearing at regular intervals, and then the pass opens and Duck Lake is below you in a colour that does not look real. Inyo calls it an intense, deep blue, which is the rare case of an agency description being an understatement.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires in Coldwater Canyon, at Duck Creek or Purple Lake, and no campfires above 10,000 feet
- •Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
- •No camping within 300 feet of the outlet of Duck Lake or Purple Lake
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •The Emerald Lake trail and the trail to Ram Lake are not recommended for stock
- •John Muir Wilderness regulations apply
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here
- A stove, since fires are out above 10,000 feet and at the main lakes
- Warm layers for camps above 10,000 feet
- Water treatment
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Duck Pass (JMT)
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
Coldwater Campground trailhead
The trail climbs the forested hillside behind the campground.
Arrowhead, Skelton and Barney Lakes
The three lakes stepping up toward the pass, per Inyo.
Duck Pass
The crossing onto the John Muir Trail side.
Duck Lake
Inyo calls its colour an intense, deep blue. No camping within 300 feet of the outlet.
Purple Lake
On the John Muir Trail. No campfires, and no camping within 300 feet of the outlet.
Duck Pass (JMT) FAQ
Can I hike the John Muir Trail on a Duck Pass permit?
Yes. Inyo National Forest states that a Duck Pass permit may continue on the John Muir Trail, either north or south.
Which lakes does the Duck Pass trail pass?
Inyo lists Arrowhead, Skelton and Barney Lakes on the climb, with a side trail to Emerald Lake offering an alternate route to Skelton. Duck Lake and Purple Lake sit beyond the pass.
Can I camp at Duck Lake on a Duck Pass permit?
Yes, but not within 300 feet of the outlet of Duck Lake or Purple Lake, and campfires are prohibited at Duck Creek and Purple Lake as well as anywhere above 10,000 feet.
When does the Duck Pass quota season run?
Inyo's quota season is May 1 to November 1 in 2026. Reservations open six months in advance at 7 am Pacific, with additional permits released two weeks ahead.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
First light on Skelton Lake with the ridge above it catching colour.
Best Light
Mid-morning from Duck Pass looking down at Duck Lake, when the sun is high enough to bring out the blue.
Beat the Crowds
Day hikers stop at Skelton or Barney. Camp past the pass and the crowd disappears.
Classic Shots
- 📍Barney Lake below the final switchbacks
- 📍Duck Lake from the pass
- 📍Purple Lake from the John Muir Trail on the far side
Can't Get a Duck Pass (JMT) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow)
Same AreaA Reds Meadow-side entry into the Ansel Adams Wilderness toward Shadow and Ediza Lakes.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Better views of the Minarets, but the Reds Meadow shuttle fee and no direct JMT continuation south.
John Muir Trail South of Devils Postpile
Similar ExperienceJoins the JMT at Devils Postpile and heads south toward Whitney.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A lower, easier start on the JMT itself, but it needs the mandatory Reds Meadow shuttle.
Fish Creek
Same AreaA quieter Mammoth-area entry into the John Muir Wilderness.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Fewer people and easier permits, with a longer walk to reach the high lakes.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Duck Pass (JMT) trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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