JMT permit easier for mid to late Aug?

We found it no easier through at least mid-August.  We plotted our own route that was partially on the JMT instead.  We enjoyed the parts off the JMT the most.  And it was easy to get permits.  I could see some advantages to starting from the south too (sun to your back).  Good luck with the permits.

I don’t think anyone other than someone working with the permits for the park service could answer that question with any kind of accuracy. Just because someone here got a permit right away once or twice could just be luck and have nothing to do with it being any ‘easier’ at that time of year.

I would not bet it is easier for the last half of August.
but I might be tempted to bet it would be easier after Labor Day.

billy

My JMT permit experience…

Arrive in Yosemite Valley August 22nd.  Went to check on permits about 4pm.  I could have scored a “start hiking now” permit because so many people who had booked permits earlier were no shows.  Since I wasn’t prep’d to start hiking immediately I arrived at the ranger station 5am the following morning.  My intent was to be one of the first that day and score a “next day” permit.  When the office opened at 8am I scored my “next day” permit (keep in mind they give out about 60% of the permits ahead of time and reserve the remainder to walk ins).

The point here is if you want to start you hike in the back half of August and were not able to score your permit early, then just show up.  If you can start hiking immediately then you can score a “no show” permit after 11am  or a “next day” permit if you arrive early enough to be one of the first people in line.  Beyond this the Yosemite rangers will get creative to help you get onto the JMT.

The bottom of the following webpage shows number of Donahue Pass exit permits issued based on date – it shows a bit of a drop in demand after early August, but not a ton:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/jmtfaq.htm

There are a ton of alternate trailheads that will get you on the JMT, and getting a permit for these options is much easier (especially if you have a limited number of possible dates you could start hiking). If you get a permit for Rush Creek, you could connect to the JMT at the 40 mile marker.

Update:  Got my permit!  Hard to tell if it was easier with the lottery system they use…but it took me about 10 tries.