High Sierra Topix

Ive seen people selling the annual pass for half price online after theyre done using it.I was wondering if the pass is registered to the original buyer and if the park ranger checks your id.

You do have to sign the back, and they check it against your license, but there's room for 2 signatures on the card. Assuming they signed the first, you do still have a chance to sign the second and use the pass. The signatures can also just be wiped off in theory with an alcohol swab pretty easily, aside from any ethical constraints. Hike your hike.

What if you enter the park after hours?do you leave the pass id on the dash?

NPS.gov site writes the following:

Annual Pass

- $80 annual pass
- Available to everyone.
- Can be obtained in person at a federal recreation site, or by calling 1-888-ASK USGS (1-888-275-8747), Ext. 3 (Hours of operation are: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Mountain time), or online.
- Non-transferable.

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

DAVELA wrote:What if you enter the park after hours?do you leave the pass id on the dash?

No. They're supposed to check it on exit. I've seen them do exit checks about 50% of the time.

But they allow 2 people to sign the pass and share it?

Sigh...I suppose it all depends on whether you believe in obeying the rules...or playing the system.

Yes, you could "buy" a used (one signature) pass and, even though illegal to do so, would probably never get busted. I have a pass and, when entrance lines are hideous, just flash it without ever being checked...never have had a problem.
However, there is that Sierra Karma thing...Do you really want to risk fate?

DAVELA wrote:But they allow 2 people to sign the pass and share it?

I suppose the two lines are for your spouse? They tend to check on exit in more popular parks like yosemite, but not all the time. Some slow parks like death valley is on honor system, but they do check whenever you come across any park officials.

I have let friends borrow my pass with no problem, and without too much thought into it, but I think I should stop that...

I live on a lower income otherwise i wouldnt hesitate to buy new pass.Rent,gas,250$ ticket for riding my bicycle on empty sidewalk...that s the world we live in.
Thinking about a roadtrip to utah.Even tho i have no interest in Zion,you have to drive thru it and get nailed for a $30 entrance fee.

DAVELA wrote:250$ ticket for riding my bicycle on empty sidewalk...

I didn't even know that was illegal. We used do that all the time when our kids were younger.
I personally wouldn't think about buying a used pass since I am able to afford one, but come to think of it, if someone gave me a leftover pass, I may just use it. But I will ask for forgiveness rather than a permission, even in a friendly community like this, lol..