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Inyo NF High Trail PCT (JMT) permit
Wilderness permit for entry via High Trail – PCT (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. ...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) 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
Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) 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
- •This is the Onion Valley permit that is still available when Kearsarge is gone
- •Arrive early for parking, because the lot fills with Kearsarge Pass traffic
- •Bring a map - Inyo says the trail is sometimes difficult to follow
- •Carry a stove, since fires are banned here
- •Do not book this if your route goes over the crest, which needs the Kearsarge permit
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-2 days
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •A rough trail that Inyo says is sometimes difficult to follow
- •High alpine basins containing the Golden Trout Lakes
- •No crest crossing and no Kearsarge Pass access on this permit
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- •Shared parking with the Kearsarge Pass trailhead at Onion Valley
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is the reliable window. It is a good option when Kearsarge Pass permits are gone and you still want a night out of Onion Valley.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Route-finding on a trail Inyo describes as sometimes difficult to follow
- !A steep climb from a trailhead already near 9,200 feet
- !Afternoon storms in an open basin
- !Snow lingering in the basin into summer
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
☀️
90°
64°
Fri
☀️
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
Clear basin from July, warm days, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Solitude from the busiest trailhead on the east side
- +Short enough for a single night
- +Permits usually available
Challenges
- !Rough, vague trail
- !Onion Valley parking fills early with Kearsarge traffic
- !Exposed basin in storms
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Parties who want a night above Onion Valley without competing for Kearsarge Pass, and who are comfortable on a faint trail.
Recommended Experience
Some route-finding experience and a steep climb at altitude.
Not Recommended For
Anyone planning to cross the crest, stock parties, and hikers who need a clear tread.
About This Permit
Golden Trout Lakes is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point at Onion Valley above Independence, climbing north into a high alpine basin.
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 is explicit that this permit does not include the Kearsarge Pass area and that the trail does not cross the Sierra Crest. It is a short, steep, self-contained trip, and it is by far the easiest permit to get at the most contested trailhead on the east side.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Onion Valley is the busiest trailhead in the eastern Sierra because of Kearsarge Pass. Golden Trout Lakes leaves from the same parking lot and goes the other way. Inyo National Forest describes the trail as rough and sometimes difficult to follow as it climbs high alpine basins containing the Golden Trout Lakes, and states plainly that it does not cross the Sierra Crest.
The Route
From Onion Valley the trail climbs north into the high basins holding the Golden Trout Lakes. Inyo warns it is rough and sometimes difficult to follow.
This is a dead end by design. Inyo states the trail does not cross the Sierra Crest, and that a permit for the Golden Trout Lakes trail does not include Kearsarge Pass. If your route continues west over the crest, you need the Kearsarge Pass permit instead.
Campfires are prohibited, the trail is not recommended for stock, and special approval is required for commercial use.
The Feeling
You climb steeply out of the same lot everyone else uses and within twenty minutes the noise is behind you. The trail is rough and vague in places, the basin is bare and cold, and the lakes sit in it with nobody around them.
Rules & Regulations
- •This permit does not include the Kearsarge Pass area
- •Campfires are prohibited
- •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
- •The trail is not recommended for stock
- •Special approval is required for commercial use
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •John Muir Wilderness regulations apply
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup
- A stove, since campfires are prohibited
- A map and the willingness to route-find on a rough trail
- Warm layers for a high, bare basin
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley)
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Key Landmarks
Onion Valley trailhead
Shared parking with Kearsarge Pass, but a different permit and a different direction.
Golden Trout Lakes basin
High alpine basins that Inyo says the rough trail climbs into.
Safety & Planning
Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) FAQ
Does a Golden Trout Lakes permit include Kearsarge Pass?
No. Inyo National Forest states that a permit for the Golden Trout Lakes trail does not include the Kearsarge Pass area, and that this trail does not cross the Sierra Crest.
How hard is the Golden Trout Lakes trail?
Inyo describes it as rough and sometimes difficult to follow as it climbs high alpine basins. Bring a map and expect to route-find.
Are campfires allowed at Golden Trout Lakes?
No. Inyo prohibits campfires on this entry point.
Can I take stock on the Golden Trout Lakes trail?
Inyo states the trail is not recommended for stock.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise over the Inyo Mountains from the basin rim, with the Owens Valley below.
Best Light
Late afternoon in the basin, when the west wall takes the light.
Beat the Crowds
The whole trail is the crowd avoidance. Nobody comes here.
Classic Shots
- 📍Onion Valley and the Kearsarge Pinnacles from the climb
- 📍The Golden Trout Lakes basin
- 📍Independence Peak from the north side
Can't Get a Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Kearsarge Pass
Same AreaThe main crossing from Onion Valley into the Rae Lakes and Bullfrog country.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
The scenic centre of the eastern Sierra, and the hardest Inyo permit to get.
Baxter Pass
Similar ExperienceA far bigger climb to the crest just north, reaching the JMT at 13 miles.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much more effort, but it actually crosses into Kings Canyon.
Treasure Lakes - South Lake
Similar ExperienceAnother short, quiet basin trip that branches off a busy trailhead.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A clearer trail in a similar situation, further north above Bishop.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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