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Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Shepherd Pass (JMT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Shepherd Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Shepherd Pass (JMT) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Shepherd 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
Shepherd Pass (JMT) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Shepherd Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Shepherd Pass (JMT) is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Shepherd Pass (JMT) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Shepherd 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
- •Be fit and start early - that is Inyo's own advice for this pass, not ours
- •Carry an axe unless you have a current report saying the pass is clear
- •Anvil Camp is the last sheltered ground, so plan to sleep there rather than push the headwall late
- •No fires at Anvil Camp or above 10,400 feet, so a stove is not optional
- •The two-week release adds permits on top of the six-month window - set an alert for both
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
3-6 days
Difficulty
ExpertHighlights
- •About 6,000 feet of climbing from the valley floor to a 12,000-foot pass, per Inyo
- •Several Symmes Creek crossings in the first miles
- •A snow bank at the pass that lingers year-round in many years
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- •A descent into Sequoia and Kings Canyon to the Tyndall Creek JMT junction
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. August and September are the most reliable for the pass, and even then Inyo says the snow bank can persist. Early season means snow travel on a steep, exposed slope.
Hazards & Considerations
- !The year-round snow bank at the top of the pass, which Inyo calls out specifically
- !6,000 feet of climbing in a single approach, well ahead of most acclimatization
- !Symmes Creek crossings during runoff
- !Afternoon thunderstorms above treeline with no shelter between Anvil Camp and the pass
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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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
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95°
51°
Sun
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94°
62°
Mon
⛅
85°
51°
Tue
☀️
87°
61°
Wed
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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: August and SeptemberShoulder: July and early October
Conditions
Hot low down, snow possible at the crest all season, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Longest daylight for a very long approach day
- +Access to the Tyndall and Williamson country
- +Permits usually available
Challenges
- !Heat on the lower switchbacks
- !The pass snow bank
- !Storms above treeline
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand5/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk4/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment5/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Strong, acclimatized parties heading for Mount Tyndall, Mount Williamson or a southern JMT connection.
Recommended Experience
Prior 12,000-foot travel, comfort on steep snow with an axe, and a sustained 5,000-foot climb with a pack.
Not Recommended For
Stock parties, first-time high-altitude backpackers, and anyone without snow travel skills.
About This Permit
Shepherd Pass is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point west of Independence, climbing from Symmes Creek over the Sierra crest into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The permit reserves your entry trailhead and entry date.
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 and bookable up to two weeks ahead.
This is one of the hardest maintained approaches on the east side. Inyo describes a demanding 6,000-foot climb to a 12,000-foot pass, warns that a large steep snow bank lingers year-round at the top in many years, and says it may be impassable to stock.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Shepherd Pass is the back door to the Mount Williamson and Tyndall country and one of the few eastside routes that puts you on the John Muir Trail deep in the southern Sierra. Inyo National Forest describes it starting along Symmes Creek and climbing a demanding 6,000 feet from the valley floor to the 12,000-foot Shepherd Pass where it crosses the Sierra Crest, then descending into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to the Tyndall Creek junction of the John Muir Trail.
The Route
From Symmes Creek the trail climbs steadily toward Anvil Camp, the last sheltered ground before the pass. Inyo's advice is plain: it pays to be fit and start early for this pass.
At the top the trail crosses the Sierra Crest at about 12,000 feet. Inyo notes that in many years a large steep snow bank lingers year-round at the top of this challenging pass and may be impassable to stock. Parties should plan for snow at the crest regardless of the calendar.
Over the pass the trail descends into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and continues to the Tyndall Creek junction with the John Muir Trail, which opens the whole Whitney and Kern country.
The Feeling
The trail earns its reputation in the first hours, crossing Symmes Creek several times and then climbing a set of switchbacks that gains a thousand feet only to give some of it back. Above Anvil Camp the world turns to talus and the pass sits there, unreasonably high, for hours before you reach it.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires at Anvil Camp, and no campfires 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 on the east side
- •Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply once you enter the parks, including no pets, no bear spray, and a group size limit of 8 for the Sphinx Creek and Brewer Range area
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup where containers are not required
- An ice axe and the skill to use it if there is snow at the pass
- A stove, since fires are prohibited at Anvil Camp and above 10,400 feet
- Large water capacity for the long dry stretches on the climb
- Trekking poles for the descent
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Shepherd Pass (JMT)
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Key Landmarks
Symmes Creek trailhead
Start of the climb, west of Independence. Multiple creek crossings early.
Anvil Camp
The last sheltered camp below the pass. No campfires here, per the permit conditions.
Shepherd Pass
Inyo's stated crest elevation. A steep snow bank lingers year-round in many years.
Tyndall Creek John Muir Trail junction
Where the descent into Sequoia and Kings Canyon meets the JMT.
Shepherd Pass (JMT) FAQ
How much elevation does the Shepherd Pass trail gain?
Inyo National Forest describes a demanding 6,000 feet from the valley floor to the 12,000-foot Shepherd Pass, starting along Symmes Creek.
Is there snow at Shepherd Pass in summer?
Often. Inyo states that in many years a large steep snow bank lingers year-round at the top of this challenging pass and may be impassable to stock. Plan for snow travel even in August.
Can I take stock over Shepherd Pass?
Inyo warns the pass may be impassable to stock because of the lingering snow bank. Check current conditions with the forest before committing a stock party.
Where does the Shepherd Pass trail meet the John Muir Trail?
It descends into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and continues to the Tyndall Creek junction of the John Muir Trail.
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Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Dawn on Mount Williamson from the upper switchbacks, before the sun clears the crest.
Best Light
Afternoon from the pass looking west across the Kern plateau toward the Great Western Divide.
Beat the Crowds
Solitude is the default here. The only busy ground is the JMT itself past Tyndall Creek.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Owens Valley from the Symmes Creek switchbacks
- 📍Anvil Camp with the headwall above
- 📍The snow bank at Shepherd Pass, which is the trip's signature obstacle
Can't Get a Shepherd Pass (JMT) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Baxter Pass
Similar ExperienceAnother 6,000-foot eastside climb to the crest and the JMT, north of Shepherd.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Similar effort and similar solitude, landing you nearer the Rae Lakes country instead of Tyndall Creek.
Mt Whitney Trail Crest Exit
Same AreaThe exit-quota permit for parties descending the Mt. Whitney trail to Whitney Portal Road.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Only relevant if you finish over Trail Crest, and it carries the Mt. Whitney fee and pack-out requirement.
Cottonwood Pass
Easier AlternativeA far gentler crest crossing from Horseshoe Meadows into the Golden Trout Wilderness and on to the PCT.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much less climbing and a higher trailhead, but a longer walk to reach the same southern Sierra country.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Shepherd Pass (JMT) trip
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