How risky is it to push my 5-night trip back one day without adjusting my permit?

[hisdudeness47]

Hey there, I'm in a world of pain here. Long story short, I ordered a new backpack last week (old one is off to Osprey warranty repair) and paid extra to have UPS ship it by Monday. Anyway, the company ended up using USPS (ugh) and sure enough, it's nowhere to be found, but it is SUPPOSED to be here by tomorrow (Wednesday). My entry date was supposed to be tomorrow at Kearsarge Pass for a 5-nighter backcountry loop. I cannot get a hold of any ranger station to even ask about my permit. Since I still have this 5-night permit, how risky would it be to just go and do the same itinerary and leave on Thursday instead without doing anything? I technically wouldn't have a permit for the last night (next Monday), but doesn't it have to do with entry location anyway? Do they really hold you to where you say you're going to camp and how long? I feel as if as long as If I have a permit for Thursday, which I do, and I enter on a Thursday, I'm okay, right?

[balzaccom]

The permit doesn't really matter in terms of when you leave--you can hike out early, or stay longer, depending on lots of factors. But the start day is a fixed date so that they can manage the number of people who hammer those first campsites on the trail. So technically, no, you are not okay.

You might talk your way out of a citation if you get stopped by a ranger, but you would be in violation of the wilderness policies.

[hisdudeness47]

The permit doesn't really matter in terms of when you leave--you can hike out early, or stay longer, depending on lots of factors. But the start day is a fixed date so that they can manage the number of people who hammer those first campsites on the trail. So technically, no, you are not okay.

You might talk your way out of a citation if you get stopped by a ranger, but you would be in violation of the wilderness policies.

Ugh.

[whttiger25]

If I had the permit in hand, I probably would take the risk and play country stupid if stopped. Once you get a decent ways past the trailhead it's a moot point, as you could justify having camped the night before.

Not sure if Inyo is doing the saem thing as Yosemite (emailed permits as opposed to picking up day of or day before) so if they are, you may get away with it. But hisdudeness is correct, you should be aware it is a violation of the regulations. I may be an exception to the rule, but I've only had my permit checked a few times in Inyo, and it was never anywhere near the trailhead. That's just me.

[kylekuzma]

You'd be in violation of the rules, but i dont think you'd get into any trouble. I've had 3 backcountry trips this season with two of them being in SEKI NP. Never saw any rangers in the backcountry, and only had my permit checked at my car in the parking lot when i exited the trail. Obviously there are risks involved hopefully this helps

[TahoeJeff]

If I had the permit in hand, I probably would take the risk and play country stupid if stopped.

X2

[mort]

If I had the permit in hand, I probably would take the risk and play country stupid if stopped.

X2

Rules don't apply to me because I love the mountains?
I'm disgusted.

[TahoeJeff]

I'm disgusted.

I still have this 5-night permit

The dude is not proposing to go in "permitless". He's going in a day late. That's disgusting???

You'd be in violation of the rules, but i dont think you'd get into any trouble.

[neil d]

Another vote for going anyway and asking forgiveness if necessary. You are complying with the spirit, if not the letter, of the permitting requirements. And it has been extremely difficult to get anyone on the phone during COVID, so there is that...

[hisdudeness47]

If I had the permit in hand, I probably would take the risk and play country stupid if stopped.

X2

Rules don't apply to me because I love the mountains?
I'm disgusted.

Yeesh. Tough crowd