[pct-l] The 2018 permits season opens on November 1, 2017. [ TODAY ]

[Brick Robbins]

Just to be clear, a permit is NOT required for a thru hike.

It is only a "convenience" so you don't need permits from different
agencies, but that really isn't a big deal. You only need one, maybe
two permits for the first 500 miles of the trail

1) if you want to camp outiside of a developed campground in the first
70 miles of the trail (Cleveland NF) you need a free, no limit
"dispersed camping permit" that you can get by calling the Ranger
Station in Alpine (619) 445-6235.  You do NOT need a permit to walk
there, so you can't be cited for not having a permit. BTW, even if you
have a thru hiking permit, you can't legally camp outside of developed
campgrounds in the Mt Laguna Recreation area, even though most people
do just that.

2) You need a permit to enter (even if you are not camping) the Mt San
Jacinito Wilderness area. Since the PCT is still closed south of
Idyllwild, and you have to road walk, just pick up a self issue permit
at the ranger station in town.

The next Permit you need is leaving Kennedy Meadows (South) a the
southern end of the Sierra Nevada and that is a non-quota trailhead.
By the time you get that far, you will have things figured out.