Whitney permit lottery

In the Whitney permit lottery, is there any distinction between permits for the Whitney trail versus the North Fork Lone Pine Creek approach? I want to do the latter, but the choices on the lottery signup are either "Mt Whitney Trail (overnight)" or "Mt Whitney Day Use (all routes)". This makes me think it isn't what I want, which is overnight permits for north fork.

Also, does anyone know the difference on odds between day use and overnight? Is there any advantage to one or the other?

I can call on Monday but hoping to sign up sooner. Thanks for any clarification.

The North Fork is a separate permit and is not in the lottery.

With that permit, you don't choose either the day use or overnight options, and you're not supposed to hike on the main Mt. Whitney hiker's trail (except at the very beginning until you turn off onto the North Fork)..

Reserve your North Fork permit as they go quickly.

Thanks Frank, I'm glad I asked. 

Whitney zone day use permits are through the lottery for both hiker trail/climbing routes, correct? 

J C wrote:

Thanks Frank, I'm glad I asked. 

Whitney zone day use permits are through the lottery for both hiker trail/climbing routes, correct? 

Correct, but you can't stay overnight.

Edit: If the permit date you want is all booked up, you can try the walk-in permit method, if you are familiar with that. Hint: You can't just walk in and get them. Let me know if you want me to tell you how that works.

Thanks, I've done the walk up permits since it went online. Need to check the dates and everything, but I know where to find it.

I'm interested in both some solo day trips as well as an overnight with a buddy. Went up MR this winter, and want to go back for more.  

One other question for Frank or anyone else-- when does the road generally open?

You could call the phone number on this webpage to ask when the road opens:

https://www.inyocounty.us/services/public-works/road-department

Most/all of the technical routes(east face/butt, mountaineers, russell etc) are approached from north fork lone pine creek. NOT from the whitney trail 

If you day-climb from n fork lone pine creek, then you need a whitney zone permit (very hard to get). Plus, it's difficult to get those routes done in a day unless you are very fit and familiar with the approach. There is scrambling & routefinding low on the approach.

If you backpack in and camp somewhere along n fork lone pine creek, then you don't need a whitney zone permit. You only need a n fork lone pine creek camping permit. You also don't need a bear canister.

For advance permits, many of the summer dates for n fork lone pine creek permits are sold out. But, In 2022, the "walkup" permits are put on sale at 7am pst 2 weeks before, and are relatively easy to get if you set your alarm exactly for that time.

All this applies only for the permit period may through october