Permits 2019

[Nick]

I'm a rookie when it comes to river running. Only done the New River in West Virginia. So I have a question (hopefully not to derail the thread too much). Are there just not very many long sections of good rafting river in the country that you can run without a permit?

There's lots of stuff you can do without a permit but not as much in the multi-day wilderness category. Mostly day runs by highways and that kind of thing. There are certainly some more wilderness type rivers that have less red tape and don't get the pressure of the permit lottery though. Just being in the lotteries amps up the pressure a lot, because it's then on a list. But those rivers that are permit controlled are generally that way for good reason. They're awesome and lots of people want to do it. One could argue that they could put a lot more people on most of the rivers, but I sure am glad it's limited. Even launching with 4 other groups on the Middle Fork last year, it still felt like a fantastic wilderness experience. Imagine if everyone was moving roughly the same pace down the same trail. You never run into anyone!

 

[AustinCronnelly]

Whaaaaaaat?! You stole my date! I swear they must be giving you Montana folk some extra entries! How many times have you been down that?

I entered as a non-resident, just like you I've been down twice and pulled a permit twice. Also been invited a few times more but hadn't gone.

I'm looking at doing a Ruby-Horsetheif in May and will have to do some juggling to make them both work.

So.. you are saying you are looking for memorial day plans?

 

[Nick]

So.. you are saying you are looking for memorial day plans?

Why yes, I am! I'm really good at groover duty (and any other chores) if you're looking to add a boat to your trip! I've got a Westwater lined up for 3/30 if you want to get some Colorado River in a little earlier. Space on my Salt trip this month too if you feel like driving 10 hours.

 

[Nick]

I just scored an October 17th Gates of Lodore! Yeeeehaawwwww!

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

Just received my 10-night permit for a winding N-S traverse of Yellowstone in September. It includes 3 nights of pioneering campsites, which I had serious doubts they would agree to. I am jazzed!!

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

I'm a rookie when it comes to river running. Only done the New River in West Virginia. So I have a question (hopefully not to derail the thread too much). Are there just not very many long sections of good rafting river in the country that you can run without a permit?

@Jackson, come on up to AK, we're full of them. I'll reserve you a seat on our boat.

 

[Jackson]

@Jackson, come on up to AK, we're full of them. I'll reserve you a seat on our boat.

I'd seriously love to when I make it up that way!

 

[Ben]

Just received my 10-night permit for a winding N-S traverse of Yellowstone in September. It includes 3 nights of pioneering campsites, which I had serious doubts they would agree to. I am jazzed!!

what are pioneering campsites?
i'm excited for you.

 

[Ben]

I'm a rookie when it comes to river running. Only done the New River in West Virginia. So I have a question (hopefully not to derail the thread too much). Are there just not very many long sections of good rafting river in the country that you can run without a permit?

Nick's answer to your question pretty much sums it up, but its helpful to think about how much wilderness there is out there (relatively, not that much), and then think about what percentage of that wilderness happens to be river shoreline.

 

[Reef&Ruins]

I've been meaning to do it for a long time and finally decided to go for it this year!

I've only done the day hike... and what a day it was. Take lots of water as the spring at the campground is no longer safe to use.

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

what are pioneering campsites?
i'm excited for you.

Not established campsites, just a spot on the map that suits my trip.

 

[scatman]

Hey, I just got my permit for a two week canoe trip around Yellowstone lake with my daughter this summer. They did change a couple of my campsites though. @Outdoor_Fool, you didn't happen to snag 6A4 on August 5th or 6th for your trek did you?

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

I wanted that one until I read of the horrible crimes that occur around the lake shore. Nah-h, just kidding.

I did not. My trip isn't until mid-September.

Sounds like a great trip for you, though! Did they give you 6A3 instead? That may be better protected from the winds.

 

[Jackson]

Hey, I just got my permit for a two week canoe trip around Yellowstone lake with my daughter this summer.

Can't wait to see the TR for that one. Sounds incredible!

 

[scatman]

I wanted that one until I read of the horrible crimes that occur around the lake shore. Nah-h, just kidding.

I did not. My trip isn't until mid-September.

Sounds like a great trip for you, though! Did they give you 6A3 instead? That may be better protected from the winds.

Yes, they gave us 6A3 instead. Unfortunately, I have stayed at 6A3 before, so I wanted to try a different one. Doesn't hurt our day hike out to Two Ocean Plateau though.

 

[scatman]

Can't wait to see the TR for that one. Sounds incredible!

Might take me a month to write it up.

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

Yes, they gave us 6A3 instead. Unfortunately, I have stayed at 6A3 before, so I wanted to try a different one. Doesn't hurt our day hike out to Two Ocean Plateau though.

Just hike over toward 6A4, put on your bear suit, walk into camp and act like a rabid bear, and the campsite is yours, fully equipped and set up.

 

[Carcass]

Just hike over toward 6A4, put on your bear suit, walk into camp and act like a rabid bear, and the campsite is yours, fully equipped and set up.

Gotta be careful because a big grizzly might mistake that noise for a mating ritual.

 

[Shirt357]

No river trips for me (have not gotten into that adventure yet!) but did get a boulderfield permit to climb Longs Peak in August (hopefully post t-storms and pre-snow ). Surprisingly just about the same week I scored one last year too. Other than that the only two permits I got probably are not showstoppers for most here.... one to Mirror Lake and one to the Upper Ouzel. For me though... places I wanted to mark off my list and there is some great climbs I can try from those locations.

 

[Dave]

Received notification from Glacier NP that I pulled a permit for a point-to-point with nights at Gunsight and Lake Ellen Wilson in August. A little bummed because it was my last choice, but something is better than nothing.