Permit Season is Upon Us
There’s no denying it any longer - winter is almost here! Temperatures are dropping, days are fading to darkness by late afternoon and in some places the snow line is already descending down the mountains.
Every winter season brings a new sense of wonder as many of our favorite landscapes are completely transformed by snow and colder weather. Some of us wait all year for the handful of chilly months we get to play in the snow - strapping into snowshoes for winter hikes, buckling into skis and snowboards for blissful laps and lacing up skates for shinny hockey on frozen lakes.
Even if you are not a big fan of playing outside in freezing temperatures, there is still something magical about the winter season. The peacefulness of the first snowflakes of the season or the hush of early morning snow blanketing everything in white. And if you reside somewhere without snow or harsh cold fronts, the changing of seasons still invites cozy nights with your covid bubble spent sipping hot drinks, celebrating the holidays with those closest to you and ringing in a brand new year - something we can all look forward to after the roller coaster of 2020.
While we all adjust to the shorter, colder days - slowing down, wearing beanies everywhere we go and putting up holiday decor to the sweet sound of Mariah - it seems impossibly early to think about the sun-dappled summer days of 2021. But permit season is upon us!
In our opinion, it is never too early to dream up your next grand adventure, and often it is too late! We love having adventures on the calendar to look forward to and this year has been no exception. The uncertainty of this year has left us constantly craving the outdoors and having safe, local trips to look forward to has been a saving grace - even if they look a little different than most years. So as we roll right into permit season, start dreaming up all the possibilities for next summers ‘Must See’ list, all the places you want to spend the winter season looking forward to.
Most of the places we hope to visit are sought after destinations with strict permitting systems in place to limit the number of people who can access each place at once. This protects both the natural resources and fragile environments, as well as the backcountry experience for those of us looking for a serene experience away from crowds.
Each park, wilderness area and national forest has unique permitting systems. There are a mix of lotteries, applications and real time bookings, different booking platforms and communication methods. Depending on what destinations have piqued your interest, permits may need to be booked up to six months before your desired trip dates. It can be critical to book permits as soon as reservation windows open, especially in popular areas where permits get snagged within seconds of becoming available.
In order to complete permit applications, you need to choose a destination (which can be challenging in itself with seemingly endless options) and complete a lot of homework to determine the best time of year, route options based on capabilities and comfort, number of days needed, camping areas, entry and exit trailheads, permit requirements and alternatives for the permit process.
And to add to the complicated process, most parks, wilderness areas and national forests are still making decisions around what the 2021 permitting season will look like. There may be altered permitting processed, limited capacity and an absence of first come first served walk up permits.
If this sounds overwhelming to navigate, that’s because it can be!
If you are familiar with the permitting process and have pre-determined your next backcountry adventure, try one of our downloadable trip guides which will provide a detailed set of recommendations and information to make your next adventure easier than ever.
If you’re unsure of where to start or what might be the most suitable trip for you and your group, consider our 1x1 adventure planning where we can walk you through the discovery process and take the weight of planning an unforgettable trip off your shoulders. Book a free adventure consult with our team - we would love to chat all things dream adventure!