Backpackers hoping to explore the splendors of Oregon’s central Cascade Mountain wilderness this year will want to set their alarms early this week.
Tomorrow, April 2, is opening day for the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit system, which doles out overnight and day use permits for the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas, popular hiking spots where reservations are required between June 15 and Oct. 15.
The $6 overnight permits, which are good for groups up to 12 people, will be released on Recreation.gov starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service said. Of the total permits allotted for each day, 40% will be available for advanced reservation online, while the remaining 60% will be held back and released through a rolling window, seven days in advance of each reservation date.
Overnight permits will not be available anywhere outside the online reservation system, the forest service said.
Day use permits will also be required from June 15 to Oct. 15 at 19 trails within the wilderness areas, including the popular Green Lakes Trail outside Bend, though those permits will not be issued until closer to the beginning of the season. As is the case with overnight permits, 40% of the day hiking permits will be made available 10 days in advance of each reservation date, with an additional 60% made available two days in advance.
Day use permits, which will also be made available on Recreation.gov, cost $1 per person per outing.
The U.S. Forest Service implemented the Central Cascades permitting system in 2021, but changed it up in 2022 following a rash of “no-show” hikers that first year. Officials now release more last-minute permits and have increased the number of permits issued for each trailhead.
A “no show” happens when a permit is purchased but not actually printed out to be used. After securing a permit online, a hiker or backpacker must go back to Recreation.gov within 14 days of the booked date to “issue” the permit and print it out to use it.
Forest officials have encouraged people who don’t plan on using their permits to release them back into the system. The $6 or $1 processing fee will not be refunded, but canceling does open a spot for somebody else to enjoy the trail.
Oregon Outdoors
--Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.
Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.