Inyo NF permit news

From their Facebook page:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inyo National Forest Provides Wilderness Permits Virtually, Effective June 1, except Mt. Whitney

Starting on June 1, the Inyo National Forest will be providing wilderness permits through a virtual process.
People who have reserved permits can call up to 14 days in advance to have their permit emailed or printed and left in a drop box at the selected visitor center.

The remaining “walk up” permits will be reserved through www.recreation.gov starting up to 14 days in advance of the date of a wilderness trip.
The Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association staff will sell maps, rent bear canisters, and other products under a modified operation. Visitors are highly encouraged to purchase products online in advance of their visit at https://sierraforever.org/.

Visitors who reserve a permit will need to check by phone to receive their permit and the wilderness orientation, which will include:

Food storage/ bear can use

Campfire restrictions

Human waste disposal

Campsite selection

Pack it in, pack it out/ Leave No Trace

Specific guidance if their itinerary enters Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks or Yosemite National Park.

The exception to this is Mt. Whitney day and overnight permits, which are being cancelled one week in advance of the hiking start day. Please see Inyo County guidance. Mt. Whitney is a high use trail and where rescues and recoveries are common. Whitney Portal Road remains closed at the lower gate.

People who have been awarded a permit reservation for Mt. Whitney on the Inyo National Forest will receive a notice from recreation.gov that notifies them that their reservation has been cancelled and a refund have been issued. There is no action required from you at this time. The credit card used to make the original reservation will be refunded.

I posted this question in the Whitney zone forums, figured I put it here too... Does anyone know how often the inventory for walk up reservations for Inyo wilderness permits are being updated? I've been monitoring the Cottonwood Lakes permits and haven't seen any allocation for the walk-ups come thru.

I tried calling Inyo Wilderness Permits (760) 873-2483, but I hit 0 and then it disconnects.

Check the Inyo Nat'l Forest Website. It states:

For the 2020 season while our visitor centers are not open to foot traffic all wilderness permits are by web reservation with check in by phone and permit delivered by email.

40% of quota traditionally set aside for walk up permits is being added to the reservation website every Monday afternoon for the following Monday through Sunday.

If quota space is available, reservations can be made until one day before the trip.
Canceled space is returned to the reservation calendar at a random time within 24 hours.