Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — JMT North of Devils Postpile
Inyo National Forest · California
Wilderness permit for entry via JMT North of Devils Postpile in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
Get an alert when JMT North of Devils Postpile opens on your dates.
When it opens
- 6 months
- First come, first served from six months before your entry date, at 7 am Pacific60% of quotaYou book on Recreation.gov.
- 2 weeks
- First come, first served from two weeks before your entry date, at 7 am Pacific40% of quotaYou book on Recreation.gov.
Source: recreation.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on JMT North of Devils Postpile were gone within 10 minutes.
JMT North of Devils Postpile reservation dates
- Season
- May 1 to November 1
- max group size
- 15people
How to get a JMT North of Devils Postpile permit
As of September 2026, JMT North of Devils Postpile in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation. JMT North of Devils Postpile is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled JMT North of Devils Postpile permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for JMT North of Devils Postpile runs May 1 through November 1.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Eastern Sierra, CA
Step 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.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
JMT North of Devils Postpile pro tips
- This is the JMT permit that skips the Yosemite lottery entirely if you walk northbound
- Confirm the Reds Meadow shuttle is running for your start date before you book flights
- Use the food lockers at the backpacker parking. Inyo reports bears breaking into vehicles there in 2026
- Do not book this permit if your plan includes Minaret Lake, which needs its own reservation
- Aim for a mid-July or later start so Donohue Pass is clear on a northbound itinerary
More on JMT North of Devils Postpile: Live availability activityWhen JMT North of Devils Postpile permits open upChance of an opening
How much a JMT North of Devils Postpile permit costs
JMT North of Devils Postpile permit fee: Recreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee. Every visitor to Reds Meadow Valley also pays a transportation fee that covers the mandatory shuttle bus.
The JMT North of Devils Postpile hike
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 3-7 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
JMT North of Devils Postpile landmarks
- 1Devils Postpile Visitor Center
Shuttle stop number 6. Less than a mile to the bridge and the JMT junction, per Inyo.
- 2Minaret Falls
Where the JMT begins climbing north out of the valley.
- 3Johnston Lake and Trinity Lakes
The first named waypoints going north on this permit.
- 4Thousand Island Lake
Further north on the JMT. No camping near the outflow.
The permit that lets you walk the John Muir Trail north from Devils Postpile all the way to Happy Isles, without ever entering the Yosemite lottery.
About this permit
John Muir Trail North of Devils Postpile is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point in Reds Meadow Valley for hikers heading north on the JMT.
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. The access road and shuttle set the practical season.
The reason this permit matters is its reach. Inyo states it can include all the way to Happy Isles in Yosemite, which means a northbound JMT hike out of Mammoth needs no Yosemite wilderness lottery at all. It does not cover Beck, Fern or Minaret Lakes, and it does not cover the JMT south of Devils Postpile.
The route
Inyo describes the access: from the Devils Postpile Visitor Center, shuttle stop number 6, it is less than a mile to a bridge across the river and the junction with the John Muir Trail. From there the permit follows the JMT northward as it climbs above Minaret Falls.
The named waypoints going north are Johnston Lake and Trinity Lakes, and the route continues into the Ansel Adams Wilderness lake country and on into Yosemite.
Inyo draws the boundaries clearly. This permit does not include Beck, Fern or Minaret Lakes, and it does not include the John Muir Trail south of Devils Postpile. Camping is prohibited at Shadow Lake and near the outflow of Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake.
Why it matters
Inyo National Forest is explicit about the reach of this permit: it is to follow the John Muir Trail northward from the Devils Postpile area past Johnston Lake, Trinity Lakes and destinations farther north, and can include all the way to Happy Isles in Yosemite. For hikers who want the Yosemite half of the JMT and cannot win a Donohue Pass trailhead, this is the door.
The feeling
You start low, in forest, beside a river. Within a day the trail is climbing into the Ansel Adams high country with Shadow Lake, Garnet and Thousand Island stacked ahead, and then it is Donohue Pass and Lyell Canyon and the long walk down to the Valley.
JMT North of Devils Postpile hike highlights
- Access from the Devils Postpile Visitor Center at shuttle stop number 6, less than a mile to the JMT junction
- A permit that can run north all the way to Happy Isles in Yosemite
- A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- No Beck, Fern or Minaret Lakes, and nothing south of Devils Postpile
- Yosemite wilderness regulations once you cross into the park, including no pets and no bear spray
How hard the JMT North of Devils Postpile hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Hikers walking the Yosemite half of the John Muir Trail northbound, and anyone who missed the Donohue Pass trailheads.
Recommended experience: Multi-day Sierra backpacking and a resupply plan.
Not recommended for: Parties wanting Minaret, Beck or Fern Lakes, which this permit does not cover.
When to hike JMT North of Devils Postpile
Best time to visit
The quota season is May 1 to November 1, but a northbound JMT walk needs Donohue Pass clear, which usually means mid-July onward. September is the classic month for this direction: stable weather, fewer people, and cold nights.
- Peak
- Mid-July through September
- Shoulder
- Early July and early October
Summer
High passes clear from mid-July, storms most afternoons, warm valley starts.
Crowd level · high
- Advantage: Full northbound JMT route open to Happy Isles
- Advantage: No Yosemite lottery required
- Advantage: Reds Meadow shuttle running
- Challenge: Mosquitoes through the lake country in early summer
- Challenge: Heavy JMT traffic
- Challenge: Storms over the passes
Fall
Cold, dry and stable until the first real storm. Quota season runs to November 1.
Crowd level · moderate
- Advantage: Best walking weather of the year
- Advantage: Quieter camps
- Advantage: Easier permits
- Challenge: Reds Meadow road and shuttle close before the quota season ends
- Challenge: Hard freezes at the high lakes
- Challenge: Short days for long JMT stages
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
73°
55°
Tue
81°
50°
Wed
87°
56°
Thu
90°
62°
Fri
90°
64°
Sat
89°
67°
Sun
88°
66°
JMT North of Devils Postpile photography guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise on Banner Peak from Thousand Island Lake, a day or two north of the start.
Best Light
Evening at Garnet Lake, when the Ritter Range goes red across the water.
Beat the Crowds
Start northbound in September. The southbound JMT wave has passed and the lakes empty out.
Classic Shots
- The Devils Postpile columns near the trailhead
- Garnet Lake from the JMT climb
- Donohue Pass looking back south into Ansel Adams country
JMT North of Devils Postpile rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- A bear canister: required for food and trash storage on this permit and in Yosemite Wilderness beyond it
- A stove, since campfires are prohibited in much of this area
- Water treatment
- Enough capacity to carry a full resupply, since the next reliable stop north is a long way off
Rules & regulations
- 01Campfires are prohibited in much of this area, and Inyo publishes a campfire restriction map
- 02Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
- 03No camping at Shadow Lake, or near the outflow of Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake
- 04Maximum group size is 15
- 05Ansel Adams Wilderness regulations apply, and Yosemite wilderness regulations apply if you enter the park
- 06All visitors to Reds Meadow Valley pay a transportation fee that allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus
Hazards & considerations
- Bears in the Reds Meadow backpacker parking, where Inyo reports vehicle break-ins for food in 2026
- Donohue Pass snow into early summer on a northbound itinerary
- Afternoon storms above treeline through the Ansel Adams lakes
- Shuttle timing at the start of the trip
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for JMT North of Devils Postpile.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for JMT North of Devils Postpile · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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JMT North of Devils Postpile FAQ
Can I hike the John Muir Trail to Yosemite Valley on this permit?
Yes. Inyo National Forest states this permit is to follow the John Muir Trail northward and can include all the way to Happy Isles in Yosemite. Yosemite wilderness regulations apply once you enter the park.
Does this permit cover Minaret Lake or Shadow Lake?
No. Inyo states the permit does not include Beck, Fern or Minaret Lakes, and camping is prohibited at Shadow Lake. Those are separate entry points.
Where does the John Muir Trail North of Devils Postpile trail start?
From the Devils Postpile Visitor Center, shuttle stop number 6, Inyo says it is less than a mile to a bridge across the river and the junction with the John Muir Trail.
Do I need a bear canister on the John Muir Trail north of Devils Postpile?
Yes. Inyo requires bear containers for storage of food and trash on this permit, and Yosemite requires allowed bear canisters throughout its wilderness.
JMT North of Devils Postpile trail conditions and trip reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a JMT North of Devils Postpile permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
John Muir Trail South of Devils Postpile
The same trailhead area on the permit that runs south toward Whitney.
Tradeoffs
Opposite direction, and Inyo states it does not go to Yosemite.
- Same AreaPermit required
High Trail
The PCT high line from Agnew Meadows that joins the JMT near Thousand Island Lake.
Tradeoffs
Better views on day one, and it also allows continuing on the JMT.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Rush Creek (Silver Lake)
A June Lake entry that reaches the JMT near Thousand Island Lake from the north.
Tradeoffs
No shuttle to coordinate, but a steeper approach and a longer first day.
Where to stay near JMT North of Devils Postpile
- Pleasant Valley Pit CampgroundAlabama Hills
- Horton Creek CampgroundAlabama Hills
- Four Jeffrey campgroundInyo National Forest
- All California campgrounds
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