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Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Piute Pass (North Lake)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Piute Pass (North Lake) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Piute Pass (North Lake) were gone within 5 minutes.
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Piute Pass (North Lake) 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
Piute Pass (North Lake) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Piute Pass (North Lake) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Piute Pass (North Lake) is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Piute Pass (North Lake) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Piute Pass (North Lake) 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
- •Park at North Lake early, because the lot is small and fills
- •Camp in Humphreys Basin rather than at Piute Lake for real solitude
- •Fires are out from the trailhead to the pass, so carry a stove
- •This is one end of the North Lake to South Lake Loop, with Bishop Pass at the other
- •Late September is the aspen window in the lower canyon
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
2-5 days
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A steady climb past Loch Leven and Piute Lake to an 11,420-foot pass
- •Humphreys Basin beyond the pass, bordered by Glacier Divide and Mt. Humphreys
- •A permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail
- •One end of the North Lake to South Lake Loop
- •Parking at North Lake, not in the campground
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is the reliable window for the pass and the basin. Late September and early October bring the aspen colour in the lower canyon.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Storm exposure in Humphreys Basin, which has no shelter at all
- !Snow on the pass into early summer
- !Cold nights above 11,000 feet in any month
- !Bears in the lower canyon
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 early October
Conditions
Snow off the pass by mid-July most years, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Humphreys Basin fully open
- +Direct connection to the John Muir Trail
- +North Lake to South Lake Loop is walkable
Challenges
- !A busy Bishop-area trailhead
- !No shelter in the basin during storms
- !Limited parking at North Lake
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
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
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers who want open alpine country fast, and parties walking the North Lake to South Lake Loop.
Recommended Experience
A previous night above 10,000 feet.
Not Recommended For
Anyone uneasy camping above treeline with no shelter from weather.
About This Permit
Piute Pass at North Lake is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point above Bishop, climbing the North Fork of Bishop Creek into the John Muir Wilderness and over Piute Pass into 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.
The permit may continue on the John Muir Trail, and it is one end of the North Lake to South Lake Loop. It does not include Lamarck Lakes, which is a separate reservation from the same road.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Inyo National Forest describes the Piute Pass trail beginning near North Lake and the colorful Piute Crags, starting in pine and quaking aspen and climbing steadily up a glacier carved canyon along the North Fork of Bishop Creek past Loch Leven and Piute Lake. From Piute Pass at 11,420 feet you can explore Humphreys Basin with its high alpine lakes and tarns bordered by Glacier Divide and Mt. Humphreys, or descend to Hutchinson Meadow and the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek.
The Route
From North Lake the trail climbs the North Fork of Bishop Creek past Loch Leven and Piute Lake to Piute Pass at 11,420 feet.
Beyond the pass you can wander Humphreys Basin, which is open enough to camp almost anywhere legal, or drop west to Hutchinson Meadow and the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek. Inyo confirms a Piute Pass permit may continue on the John Muir Trail.
Inyo also names this as one end of the popular North Lake to South Lake Loop, paired with the Bishop Pass trail. The permit does not include Lamarck Lakes, and there is no parking in the campground - park at North Lake.
The Feeling
The lower canyon in autumn is the best aspen display on the east side. Higher up it is all rock and water, and at the pass the ground simply opens: Humphreys Basin is a mile-wide shelf of tundra and tarns with the Glacier Divide across it.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires from the trailhead to Piute Pass, or above 10,000 feet north of Glacier Divide
- •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 from a tree trunk where containers are not required
- •No parking in the campground - park at North Lake
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •This permit does not include Lamarck Lakes
- •Sequoia and Kings Canyon regulations apply if you enter the park, including no pets, no bear spray, a group size limit of 8 in Darwin Canyon or Dusy Basin, and a two-night camping limit in Dusy Basin
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup
- A stove, since fires are banned from the trailhead to the pass
- Wind shell for an exposed basin above the pass
- Water treatment
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Piute Pass (North Lake)
🚐
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Key Landmarks
North Lake
Trailhead near the Piute Crags. Park at North Lake, not in the campground.
Loch Leven
The first lake on the climb.
Piute Pass
Inyo's stated pass elevation.
Hutchinson Meadow and Piute Creek
The descent west to the John Muir Trail junction.
Safety & Planning
Piute Pass (North Lake) FAQ
How high is Piute Pass?
Inyo National Forest gives Piute Pass as 11,420 feet.
Can I hike the John Muir Trail on a Piute Pass permit?
Yes. Inyo states a Piute Pass permit may continue on the John Muir Trail, which it reaches at Piute Creek below Hutchinson Meadow.
Does a Piute Pass permit include Lamarck Lakes?
No. Inyo states the Piute Pass trail does not include Lamarck Lakes, which is a separate reservation.
Where do I park for the Piute Pass trailhead?
At North Lake. Inyo states there is no parking in the campground.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Late September evening on the aspens below Loch Leven.
Best Light
Sunrise on Mt. Humphreys from the tarns in the basin.
Beat the Crowds
Traffic concentrates on the trail to the pass. Walk a mile off it in Humphreys Basin and you will be alone.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Piute Crags from the lower canyon
- 📍Piute Lake below the final switchbacks
- 📍Mt. Humphreys across the open basin
Can't Get a Piute Pass (North Lake) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Bishop Pass -South Lake
Same AreaThe other end of the North Lake to South Lake Loop, over Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Higher, rockier and more contested, with the JMT reached at LeConte Canyon.
Pine Creek Pass
Similar ExperienceThe long way into the same Humphreys Basin country from Pine Creek canyon.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Twenty miles to the JMT instead of a short crossing, but easy permits.
Lamarck Lakes
Easier AlternativeA short climb from the same road to the Lamarck Lakes basin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much less mileage, on a separate reservation.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Piute Pass (North Lake) trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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