Best Non-Permit Backpacking

[SSSdave]

Go to recreation dot gov. Open an account. See what destinations are available. Use your alltrails site and the caltopo dot com USGS 7.5' map to understand what you are looking at. Then ask additional questions if necessary. One always good choice for hoover is East Lake, a 4 mile 1400 foot vertical hike in with other lakes beyond.

[AZeBrA]

I just missed out on an opening at Kearsarge.... devastated.
Piecing together the process with permits, entry points and such. Learning a lot.
WIll look into East Lake

[dave54]

Bucks Lake Wilderness
Caribou Wilderness
Ishi Wilderness (not recommended in summer)
Thousand Lakes Wilderness
South Warner Wilderness

None require a permit.
LVNP requires a permit but available on line.

Plenty of non-Wilderness that require no permits and have no quotas.

[wildhiker]

The Green Creek trailhead to the Hoover Wilderness leads to a nice loop up to Green Lake, then on a use trail over Virginia Pass into Yosemite Park, then back on better trail via Summit, Hoover, and East Lakes. This can be done in as little as two days (by strong hikers) or as many as four (by leisurely hikers, with side explorations to other lakes and maybe a peak climb or two). You can also do this loop as a lollipop by starting at Virginia Lakes trailhead. Here are some HST threads on this loop. You can find more with the search function:
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16229&p=122170
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11330

You can also do a nice lollipop from the Robinson Creek trailhead (back side of Twin Lakes - only parking is paid parking at the resort) up Robinson Creek to Peeler Lake, then around the backside in Yosemite Park to Crown Lake, and then back down. Side hikes to other lakes and passes are possible.

-Phil

[kpeter]

The Marbles do not require a permit. The Trinity Alps require a permit, but you can obtain one by filling out a card outside the Weaverville ranger station, with no quotas. Unfortunately, this leads to excessive overcrowding, as many flock to the easier permits during this Covid era. I would not advise a trip into this region unless you are OK dealing with crowds, and possibly not finding a campsite at most lakes.

[balzaccom]

We have a ton of trip reports on Emigrant and Hoover Wildernesses +along with a lot of other places) on our website...you can pick and choose...

[jillsocean]

If you are willing to go to the west side, you can get walk in permits very easily. Check out Dinkey Lakes from Cliff Lake TH.

[Lumbergh21]

If we're expanding to outside the Sierra, the section of the PCT heading north from Castle Crags to Parker Creek Trailhead is nice with a few side trips available along the way. Of course you'll need a way to get back to where you started (no public transport).

[tahoefoothills]

I just returned from the Bighorn Crags in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. 2.3 million acres, no permits, no quotas, no bear canisters required and very few people because it is quite isolated. Great trails and backpacking scenery.

[JosiahSpurr]

willing to travel but ideally eastern sierra/sequoia nf

Should the permit be unavailable, and since you've mentioned Eastern Sierra, take a good look at the boundary between the John Muir Wilderness and the usually lower elevation "regular" parts of Inyo National Forest. Their are parts of Inyo NF that weren't included the in the Wilderness, but are worthy of being designated as genuine wilderness. Thus, you wouldn't need a wilderness permit to enter what I would consider wilderness. Happy trails!*