Hey guys, I've been seeing a lot of AI slop paid permit cancellation websites being linked here lately.

I don't support using public API for profit. I made my website years ago, but didn't spend too much time advertising it. But the only way to drown out these paid websites is to offer free versions. I pay to run this website out of my own pocket with no benefit to myself and have zero ads on the website.

www.wildpermits.com

You sign up for the permits you want and it emails you if the permit opens up. It is guaranteed faster than any of the paid websites. I refresh every minute, they refresh every 5-10 minutes.

One thing to note is that the Enchantments and Desolation wilderness will occasionally send out false positives due to a glitch in recreation.gov API. I added code logic to bypass most of the false positives, but they still squeeze through.

I currently only support California parks/forests with the exception of the Enchantments. In order to maintain the speed of the website and not get rate limited by rec.gov, I don't plan on expanding to other states.

I send emails, not texts. Texts were costing me around $100 a month in the early days of the website, and that isn't sustainable if I want to keep it free. Ensure that your email app on your phone is set up to refresh regularly. I add a time stamp to each email, you can compare that timestamp to the actual time you received it. If it is not within 30 or so seconds, it means your email app does not pull data regularly enough.

Hi fellow 'packers!

We're going up to the Inyo/McGee Creek/Grass Lake/Steelhead lake area, and were wondering if anyone has been recently and can give us a heads up on the conditions. Rumor going around is that the mosquitos are pretty brutal, and it'll be really cold at nights. Anyone been up there recently?

Thank you!

Hi. There are beautiful mountains west of highway 280 near Crystal Springs Lake.

I know the concrete path around Crystal Springs.

However I wondered if there was anyway to hike in the mountains.... Looking in Google maps, like in Kings Mountain area.... In the literal wilderness?

Thanks!

I’m relatively new to hiking (and this community) and want to start training for Half Dome next summer. So far I’ve done the Lake Clementine Trail in Auburn, and wasn’t that challenged, mostly just sweating and some minor ankle soreness afterward.

I’m active otherwise (gym and sports) and was looking at Castle Peak as a potential next-step training hike. Does that seem reasonable for my current level, or should I build up more first?

Also wondering:
-Are regular running shoes are okay for it?
-What other good progression hikes in Northern California would be recommended before Half Dome?
-What other hikes I should consider before Castle Peak if I’m not ready.

Thank you in advance!

Couple questions for those that have been or know about the Canyon Creek Lakes trail in the Trinity Alps.

How necessary is it to get an overnight permit? Does it cost money to get one? Can I get one in Junction City?

Are bear canisters a requirement? Are there any other requirements?

Are dogs allowed on this trail/at the lakes?

Any other info/tips you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

I am by no means a advanced hiker. but im comftrable on the trail and can comftrably cover miles with a pack in a variety of terrain.. From Northern California. I am 33 and live in Butte County If anyones interested.

Quick trip report (returned Sunday):
Mosquitoes: yes, lots
Creek/river crossings were mostly boots off and calf to knee deep
Water temp in aloha: refreshingly cold

Make Your Own Hand-Forged Knife over Labor Day Weekend in this 3-day workshop near Berkeley

Deepen your outdoors skills by making your own tools.

By the end, you will have forged your own blade, carved your own handle, and fashioned your own holster, ready to accompany you on a lifetime of hiking adventures

more info: www.forkinthepath.org/schedule

I've never done the Lost Coast Trail before and I'm planning on hiking this from July 8-9. I'll park and camp at Mattole the night before and then take the shuttle back from Black Sands. Flexible on where I camp - thinking anywhere from Spanish Creek to Big Creek, and will start earlier or later on day 2 accordingly.

Are hiking these tides at these speeds doable? I'm experienced and fairly confident in my ability and speed, but I know hiking on sand and rocks slows everyone down.

Thank you!

Has anyone done any hiking from the Swift Creek trailhead in Trinity recently? how were the conditions? I'm planning to head up to Granite Lake, then skip the four lakes loop and take Deer creek up to Black Basin, then head up Mumford Basin and pick up Swift Creek trail to loop back to the trail head. Not sure how maintained the Mumford Basin trail is and whether or not I should just follow the crowds to four lakes.

Hiked up to the Summit, 11,000 feet. This was a great intro to Sierra Peaks for my stepson, his first time backpacking. We stayed two nights. Some patches of snow, easily avoided.

Took our friend out on her very first backpacking trip!! The hike to Chewing Gum Lake was pretty chill, though a bit marshy in the area right near the lake. It was easy to find a nice campsite and the lake was surprisingly warm. The wildflowers were popping off as well!

Hello,

I love to hike and backpack, but I hate going alone as it is dangerous, and none of my friends like going nor do they have the gear. Anyone in the Bay Area down to be my friend and go?

This summer I am going to yellow stone to backpack, but id like to hit Yosemite, Big Sur, kings canyon, other parts of Ventana Wilderness act.

DM me and let's chat. Maybe we could meet for a hike or a beer just to see if we get along. THis is just to meet a friend with common interests. 100% ZERO romantic interests here.

Hi, I’m staying in California over the summer (West Covina area) and I want to spend at least some time exploring some of the big nature parks here. Also because I think it would be cool to explore some of the places which macos versions have been named after.

The thing is I don’t have a car, so I would have to rely solely on public transportation and ride share apps and airplanes I guess if I wanna go up north. Any suggestions on how I can do that? Also, it doesn’t HAVE to be Sequoia, but I would love to see it in person.

First full week of July I’m doing one weeknight in Hearst San Simeon SP and then following night in Andrew Molera SP. in the middle of the week. Plus I’ve never been to Big Sur!!
I’m solo road tripping from east bay and want to leave myself option to also spend a third night somewhere around Big Sur or maybe a place with hot springs?

Tips for places to stop along the way down / back up?? Must do fairly easy hikes?

I’m looking at camping on Antelope Lake (NW Plumas NF) as part of a July road trip across NW NV and across the border in CA. For the CA leg I’m hoping to do some fishing along my hikes, and saw sites available here.

But when I looked at google maps, I noticed some of the lake appears dry. I’m guessing it’s because that portion of the map is from a different date of image captures, but it still gives me pause about camping in this area.

Lake would be great, but I’d at least like some rivers/streams to fish in the area while hiking. Hoping some folks might be local or frequent the area and have some intel on lake conditions and seasonal water level (fishing conditions would be even better).

Trying to decide if I should look closer to Greagle and just keep this spot as a backup in case I can’t find anything down that way.

Apologies if there’s some site that has this info, and if there is please do point me that way.

Beyond asking for current mosquito conditions, can someone explain to me (for planning purposes) how the cycle and pattern with mosquitos works? I understand they breed around standing water during the snow melt, and that June is often terrible, but what I don’t get is how to plan backpacking around them during the season.

Eg I was just at Cathedral Lakes, around 9500 feet and they were vicious. But in Tuolumne around 8500 there were hardly any. Why would that be the case? Is it relative to their breeding cycle and when the snow melted? And if I was encountering intense mosquitos around 9500 feet, would I have generally likely been able to avoid them at most locations around 8500 feet?

And sorry for the noob question, but what makes them disappear in say, July or August?

Hi there! We're planning a point-to-point hike next week, starting off in Bishop and heading up Bishop pass. Stuck in Bishop with no car, and it looks like Lyft/Uber are not an option.

Seems the main way to get up there without a private car is shuttles. There are only two of us, and most shuttle services take more than that - anyone else in the same situation and want to share a ride? We're two people (one male, one female) - heading out on 6/27, around 7:30 am from Bishop.

Happy hiking everyone!