Agnew Meadows - > Yosemite Valley Mini JMT

[sambieni]

I am doing 5 days River Trail -> Yosemite Valley on Monday July 4th start date, planning to finish in 5 days on that Friday. A short stint on the JMT so next summer I can go Mammoth to Whitney. Can folks help confirm my plan will work - the rules seem clear (as mud)?:

1) Car Parking in Yosemite: We plan to enter Yosemite day before using our Inyo Wilderness River Trail permit for entry so we can leave our car all week in the valley parking lots. This is feasible?
2) Transport to Mammoth Lakes: Then shuttle back to Mammoth Lakes via YARTS that afternoon? Or a taxi hire? Our best bets (unless someone wants to drive us...)

Thanks!

[wildhiker]

With the new entry reservation system for Yosemite, to get in anytime between 6 am and 4 pm with your car, you either need a confirmed reservation for some kind of overnight stay in the park itself (such as a park lodging, campground, or park wilderness permit), or you need to get a day-use reservation on recreation.gov. Your Inyo Forest wilderness permit will not get you entry to the park during those hours. I think once you have entry, you can park your car at the backpacker's parking in the Valley and take YARTS back to Mammoth.
-Phil

[sambieni]

With the new entry reservation system for Yosemite, to get in anytime between 6 am and 4 pm with your car, you either need a confirmed reservation for some kind of overnight stay in the park itself (such as a park lodging, campground, or park wilderness permit), or you need to get a day-use reservation on recreation.gov. Your Inyo Forest wilderness permit will not get you entry to the park during those hours. I think once you have entry, you can park your car at the backpacker's parking in the Valley and take YARTS back to Mammoth.
-Phil

I appreciate your help. Thank you. It may not be wholly accurate. Or its very confusing at least.

Wilderness or Half Dome Permits
If you have a wilderness permit reservation (for backpacking) or Half Dome permit, you do not need an additional reservation. You still pay the $35/car entrance fee upon arrival (credit card only) unless you have an annual or lifetime pass. Your reservation allows you to enter the park 24 hours per day for the duration of your reservation or for three days (whichever is longer).

If you have a wilderness permit, you may enter the park a day before the date on your wilderness permit to stay at a backpackers campground.

A Half Dome permit does not allow you to camp in Yosemite.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

question is - does this include the Inyo permit to end in Yosemite or not?

[sambieni]

Just read elsewhere and it appears its limited to only Yosemite permits, however, it does not clearly state that. So thank you!

[kylekuzma]

I believe you can also show proof that you are staying in a short term rental in West Portal

[wildhiker]

You could also drive to Mammoth Lakes and park there at the start of your hike, and then use YARTS to get back to your car at the end.
-Phil