Whitney north fork permits...strategies to get them?:)

Are there any secret strategies to reserving the first-come first-serve Whitney north fork of lone pine permits?

We've been trying in the mornings seconds before 7 to reserve them, but can never get any in time.
Do they open that reservation system early? Is it pure luck on who gets through?

There are six reservable permits for each day and four are left for "walk-in."

fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO…

For the walk-in permits, get to the Interagency Visitor Center before 11 AM of the day prior to your intended trip. They give out lottery tickets to everyone waiting, regardless of which trailhead they are shooting for. Meaning, it's not just for Mt. Whitney, but trips that leave out of Independence, Bishop or any other trailhead in the Inyo National Forest.

Keep checking back on recreation.gov, as it's possible that there will be a cancellation on previously filled days.

As a last resort, you can try for one of the four walk-in permits per day.

sounds like they need to run a lottery for the reservations as well.

^^^^

Or increase the quota.

Yep, i'm aware of those details...i'm wondering if there's anything we're missing for why we are unable to reserve permits despite several people trying right at/before 7--they sell out too quick. Do they get lucky or is there something we're missing?

A couple of years ago it wasn't this difficult to reserve...

FrankPS wrote:There are six reservable permits for each day and four are left for "walk-in." fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO… For the walk-in permits, get to the Interagency Visitor Center before 11 AM of the day prior to your intended trip. They give out lottery tickets to everyone waiting, regardless of which trailhead they are shooting for. Meaning, it's not just for Mt. Whitney, but trips that leave out of Independence, Bishop or any other trailhead in the Inyo National Forest. Keep checking back on recreation.gov, as it's possible that there will be a cancellation on previously filled days. As a last resort, you can try for one of the four walk-in permits per day.

Weekends or days? I just got permits and didn't have any problems. I logged in a queued up the permit and selected the date right at 10am EST. it was for a Thursday though...