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Inyo NF Piute Pass (North Lake) permit
Wilderness permit for entry via Piute Pass (North Lake) in Inyo National Forest....
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Pine Creek Pass (JMT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Pine Creek Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Pine Creek Pass (JMT) were gone within 5 minutes.
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Pine Creek 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
Pine Creek Pass (JMT) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Pine Creek Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Pine Creek Pass (JMT) is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Pine Creek Pass (JMT) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Pine Creek 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
- •Budget three days minimum to reach the JMT, since it is 20 miles from the trailhead
- •Check the entry point name at booking - Gable Lakes and Italy Pass leave the same canyon on different reservations
- •Camp in French Canyon rather than Humphreys Basin if the forecast is unsettled, since the basin has no shelter
- •This is the reliable fallback when Bishop Pass and Piute Pass sell out
- •Fires are out above the wilderness boundary, so plan every meal around a stove
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
3-6 days
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •Twenty miles from the trailhead to the John Muir Trail at Piute Creek, per Inyo
- •A climb past the Pine Lakes to Pine Creek Pass
- •French Canyon, Royce Lakes and Humphreys Basin as the named destinations
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- •No Italy Pass or Morgan Lakes on this permit
Best Time to Visit
The quota season is May 1 to November 1. Mid-July through September is when the pass is clear and Humphreys Basin is at its best. September brings hard nights and empty country.
Hazards & Considerations
- !A long, sustained climb out of the canyon with limited shade
- !Exposure in Humphreys Basin, where there is no shelter from storms
- !Snow on the pass into early summer
- !Twenty miles to the JMT, so a bad forecast is harder to walk away from
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- Today: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
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54°
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86°
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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: Mid-July through SeptemberShoulder: Early July and October
Conditions
Warm in the canyon, cold above the pass, storms most afternoons.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Whole French Canyon and Humphreys Basin route open
- +Permits available when Bishop and Piute Pass are gone
- +Long days for a 20-mile approach
Challenges
- !Hot, shadeless canyon climb
- !Exposed camping in the basin
- !Mosquitoes in French Canyon in early summer
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
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
Backpackers with four or more days who want Humphreys Basin, and JMT hikers willing to walk 20 miles to reach the trail.
Recommended Experience
Prior multi-day Sierra travel and comfort camping above treeline.
Not Recommended For
Weekend parties, and anyone who needs a short exit if weather turns.
About This Permit
Pine Creek Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point northwest of Bishop, climbing the Pine Creek canyon into the John Muir Wilderness and on toward French Canyon, Royce Lakes and Humphreys 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 puts the trailhead-to-John Muir Trail distance at 20 miles, reaching the JMT at the Piute Creek junction. The length is the trade: it is a slower way in, and it is a far easier permit to get than the short crossings on either side.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Inyo National Forest describes several trails starting from the deep canyon cut by Pine Creek between Mount Tom and the Wheeler Crest. The Pine Creek Pass trail goes to the Pine Lakes, along Pine Creek, and to destinations beyond Pine Creek Pass, and Inyo names it a popular choice for French Canyon, Royce Lakes and Humphreys Basin.
The Route
The trail climbs the Pine Creek canyon past the Pine Lakes to Pine Creek Pass. Beyond the pass the country opens into French Canyon, with side trips to Royce Lakes and the Humphreys Basin lakes.
Inyo gives the distance directly: from the trailhead at Pine Creek to the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek is 20 miles. That makes this a committing entry rather than a quick crest crossing, which is exactly why it stays available when Bishop Pass and Piute Pass are gone.
One booking note from Inyo: the Pine Creek Pass trail does not include Italy Pass or Morgan Lakes, and trips going toward Gable Lakes or Italy Pass are a different reservation.
The Feeling
The canyon is steep and industrial at the bottom, with the old tungsten mine road, and then it turns into one of the finest granite valleys on the east side. Humphreys Basin at the far end is wide open tundra with lakes scattered across it and no trees to block anything.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires above the wilderness boundary in Pine Creek Canyon, and no campfires above 10,000 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
- •Trips going toward Gable Lakes or Italy Pass are a different reservation
- •John Muir Wilderness regulations apply
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup where containers are not required
- A stove, since fires are out above the wilderness boundary in the canyon
- Water treatment
- Warm layers for open camps in Humphreys Basin, which is above treeline
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Pine Creek Pass (JMT)
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Key Landmarks
Pine Creek trailhead
In the deep canyon between Mount Tom and the Wheeler Crest.
Pine Lakes
The lake chain on the climb toward the pass.
Pine Creek Pass
The crossing into the French Canyon side.
Piute Creek John Muir Trail junction
Inyo's stated distance from the trailhead to the JMT.
Safety & Planning
Pine Creek Pass (JMT) FAQ
How far is it from the Pine Creek trailhead to the John Muir Trail?
Inyo National Forest states it is 20 miles from the trailhead at Pine Creek to the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek.
Does a Pine Creek Pass permit cover Italy Pass?
No. Inyo states the Pine Creek Pass trail does not include Italy Pass or Morgan Lakes, and that trips going toward Gable Lakes or Italy Pass are a different reservation.
Where can I have a campfire on the Pine Creek Pass trail?
Nowhere above the wilderness boundary in Pine Creek Canyon, and nowhere above 10,000 feet. Carry a stove.
What are the main destinations from Pine Creek Pass?
Inyo names French Canyon, Royce Lakes and Humphreys Basin as popular choices beyond the pass, along with the Pine Lakes on the climb.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Last light on the Wheeler Crest from partway up the canyon, looking back east.
Best Light
Early morning in Humphreys Basin, when Mount Humphreys catches first sun over the tarns.
Beat the Crowds
The canyon sees day traffic to the Pine Lakes. Past the pass, French Canyon and the Royce Lakes side are close to empty.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Pine Creek canyon walls from the switchbacks
- 📍Royce Lakes under the Royce-Merriam crest
- 📍Open tundra and scattered lakes across Humphreys Basin
Can't Get a Pine Creek Pass (JMT) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Piute Pass (North Lake)
Similar ExperienceThe short way into Humphreys Basin from North Lake above Bishop.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much less mileage to the same basin, and correspondingly harder to reserve.
Italy Pass (Pine Creek)
Same AreaThe other route out of Pine Creek canyon, toward Italy Pass and Granite Park.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A separate reservation from the same trailhead, with rougher trail beyond the lakes.
Bishop Pass -South Lake
Similar ExperienceThe short, popular crossing into Dusy Basin and LeConte Canyon.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A far shorter approach to the JMT, but among the most contested Inyo trailheads.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Pine Creek Pass (JMT) trip
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