Camping at old rag

Howdy.

I am familiar with the SNP permit system and all that, but can't find this info online. Can I obtain a backcountry camping permit at the Whiteoak Canyon parking area? I remember there being some sort of manned station there but wasn't sure.

Thanks!

It's been a while but I don't remember ever seeing a ranger there in winter.

In case anyone searches for this in the future:

I did what I probably should have done before posting here, and called the SNP Visitor Center. They said there is NO ranger posted during the winter at Whiteoak Canyon, and that the closest self registration station for backcountry camping is at the main Old Rag Parking Lot (Weakley Hollow I think?).

Cheers.

Has anyone been there after the snows and have a report on snow melt in the Reflector oven after Mid-February. We'd like to hike/camp to do Strawberry Fields and possibly OMG Dihedral. I'm guessing that Report to Sickbay is going to be wet.. and cold.. till much later in March.

Appreciate hearing from folks that have climbed in Feb/Mar after snows.

I've climbed Strawberry Fields and OMG several times with a bunch of snow on the ground. I don't remember any issues with wetness.

Thanks Chris! Weather's rainy all week though.. :<

Agree-- snow is usually fine. It gets leaky on Report to Sickbay, as you sad, but Strawberry Fields and OMG get enough sun to dry them out quickly. Bushwhack Crack is also very much worth the trek down the hill, and also gets great sun (and the top is rock, not vegetation, so no seepage really).

Enjoy! Camping in the cave near Strawberry Fields saves the weight of a tent, and is supposedly legal since it's just below the elevation mark of 2800'.