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Wilderness permit for entry via Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) in Inyo National For...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Sawmill Pass (JMT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Sawmill Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Sawmill Pass (JMT) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Sawmill Pass (JMT) 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
Sawmill Pass (JMT) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Sawmill Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Sawmill Pass (JMT) is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Sawmill Pass (JMT) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Sawmill 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 Level7/10
LocationEastern Sierra, CA
Pro Tips
- •Climb at night or before dawn in summer, because Inyo's heat warning is not decoration
- •Carry every litre you can manage for the first few miles
- •Late September and October are the right months for this canyon
- •Kings Canyon caps off-trail groups at eight for Sixty Lakes and Gardiner Basin
- •If Baxter Pass is taken, this is the next door along
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
3-5 days
Difficulty
ExpertHighlights
- •More than 6,700 feet of climbing to the Sierra crest, per Inyo
- •No water or shade at the trailhead or along the first few miles
- •Conditions Inyo describes as potentially extremely hot in summer and early autumn
- •A descent to the Woods Creek area of Kings Canyon and the John Muir Trail
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. Late September and October are the sensible months, when the lower canyon is cool. Inyo specifically warns the route may be extremely hot in summer and early autumn.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Heat and dehydration low on the trail, which Inyo flags directly
- !More than 6,700 feet of gain, the biggest single climb of the eastside passes
- !Afternoon storms on an exposed crest
- !Snow at the pass into early 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
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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: Late September and OctoberShoulder: Early September
Conditions
Extremely hot low down, clear at the pass, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Long days for a huge climb
- +Access to the Woods Creek and Sixty Lakes country
- +Permits nearly always available
Challenges
- !Inyo's own heat warning applies
- !No water for the first few miles
- !No shade anywhere low
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand5/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk4/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment4/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Very fit, acclimatized parties heading for Woods Creek, Sixty Lakes or the northern Rae Lakes country.
Recommended Experience
Prior 6,000-foot climbing days and real heat management experience.
Not Recommended For
Anyone hiking in midsummer heat, and any party without the water capacity for a dry climb.
About This Permit
Sawmill Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point near Division Creek, climbing from the Owens Valley to the Sierra crest and down to the Woods Creek area of Kings Canyon National Park.
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 describes it as steep and strenuous, with more than 6,700 feet of climbing to the crest, no water or shade at the trailhead or along the first few miles, and a route that may be extremely hot during summer and early autumn.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Sawmill Pass is the hardest of the eastside climbs to the Woods Creek country. Inyo National Forest calls the trail steep and strenuous, starting near Division Creek and climbing more than 6,700 feet to reach the Sierra Crest, then going to the Woods Creek area of Kings Canyon National Park.
The Route
The trail starts near Division Creek on the Owens Valley side and climbs more than 6,700 feet to the Sierra Crest at Sawmill Pass.
Over the crest it drops toward the Woods Creek area of Kings Canyon National Park, which connects to the John Muir Trail and the Rae Lakes country from the north.
Inyo's practical warning is about water and heat rather than technical difficulty. There is no water or shade at the trailhead or along the first few miles, and campfires are prohibited above 10,400 feet.
The Feeling
The first miles are the problem: Inyo says there is no water or shade at the trailhead or along the first few miles, and that the route may be extremely hot during summer and early autumn. Everyone who does this trail talks about that section. Above it the canyon turns beautiful and empty.
Rules & Regulations
- •Campfires are prohibited above 10,400 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
- •John Muir Wilderness regulations apply, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon regulations apply once you enter the park, including no pets, no bear spray, and a group size limit of eight for the Sixty Lakes and Gardiner Basin areas
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup
- Four or more litres of water capacity, because there is none low on the trail
- A stove, since fires are banned above 10,400 feet
- Sun protection for a completely unshaded lower canyon
- Trekking poles
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Sawmill Pass (JMT)
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Key Landmarks
Division Creek trailhead
On the Owens Valley side. No water and no shade here or for the first few miles.
Sawmill Pass
The crest, more than 6,700 feet above the trailhead per Inyo.
Woods Creek
The Kings Canyon destination beyond the pass, on the John Muir Trail.
Sawmill Pass (JMT) FAQ
How much elevation does the Sawmill Pass trail gain?
Inyo National Forest says the trail climbs more than 6,700 feet from near Division Creek to the Sierra Crest.
Is there water on the lower Sawmill Pass trail?
No. Inyo states there is no water or shade at the trailhead or along the first few miles, and that the route may be extremely hot during summer and early autumn.
Where does the Sawmill Pass trail lead?
Over the Sierra Crest to the Woods Creek area of Kings Canyon National Park, which connects to the John Muir Trail.
Are campfires allowed on the Sawmill Pass trail?
Not above 10,400 feet. Below that, John Muir Wilderness rules apply.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Dawn over the Inyo Mountains from the lower switchbacks, before the heat arrives.
Best Light
Evening from the crest looking west into the Woods Creek drainage.
Beat the Crowds
This is one of the emptiest trails in the range. The company starts at the John Muir Trail.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Owens Valley from the shadeless lower canyon
- 📍Sawmill Lake below the pass
- 📍The Kings Canyon backcountry from the crest
Can't Get a Sawmill Pass (JMT) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Baxter Pass
Similar ExperienceThe neighbouring eastside climb, more than 6,000 feet to the crest and 13 miles to the JMT.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Slightly less climbing and a clearer mileage to the trail, in similar solitude.
Taboose Pass
Similar ExperienceMore than 6,000 feet in 6.5 miles to an 11,350-foot pass, north of Sawmill.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Steeper per mile, with standing 2019 fire hazards on the ground.
Kearsarge Pass
Easier AlternativeThe standard high-trailhead crossing from Onion Valley into the same country.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Vastly less climbing, and the most contested Inyo permit there is.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Sawmill Pass (JMT) trip
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