Hello fellow Yosemite travelers and backpackers....
I've been trying to get a wilderness permit for weeks, and have been unsuccessful in getting one.
Seems crazy that I have applied multiple times for different weekends (thurs-sun) and different trailheads - still not gotten one.
My question is what happens if you hike without one?? I am not for breaking the rules but I have made several attempts to get a permit and it seems like its not achievable. Looking to hike the JMT from Tuolumne Meadows to the Valley Floor. I would love to get a half dome permit, but I cant even get an overnight wilderness permit, I'm thinking half dome is also impossible.

and words of advice? how much is a citation or fine? will they kick me out if I'm off the trail away from a water source and have no fire?
thanks for any input

If you look at the link, in some areas all summer months are booked in advance. Probably the same story as with hotels - booked a year ahead.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvis...trailheads.htm

There are last minute first come permits. So you can try the day before your hike. Only 60% are prebooked. But do NOT try it without a permit.

> I am not for breaking the rules
Then don't.
> how much is a citation or fine?
> will they kick me out if I'm off the trail away from a water source and have no fire?
If caught, you'll be politely asked to leave. If you refuse, you'll be arrested for trespassing. If you resist arrest, it might get upped to assault of a federal officer -- which will NOT look good on your resume.

The enabling act of the National Parks Service requires that rangers administer these jewels "by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
The back-country of Yosemite can not remain "unimpaired" if rangers allow everyone who wants to camp there to do so. That's why the quotas exist.
Yes, I'm fully aware that YOU won't do any damage to the back-country -- or, at least, no more damage than the thousands of others who want to exceed these quotas. Problem is, the rangers can't make exceptions for you, or for anyone else -- the law requires them to maintain these areas unimpaired.

Fortunately, there are millions of hectares of NPS land -- including 100s of 1000s of hectares of wilderness -- for which you would have no trouble getting a permit to do back-country camping. With a little flexibility, you can backpack in beautiful Sierra country without (1) risk of getting caught or (2) crowds that ruin the "wilderness" aspect.

Of the 62 national parks I have visited, Yosemite is near the top of my favorites. I thus understand the love that people have for this place -- a love that might (almost literally) end up killing it. It is because I truly LOVE this place -- and not just ENJOY it -- that I have no problem with the need for everyone, including rangers & visitors, to do what is necessary to keep it unimpaired. If that means backpacking elsewhere, so be it.

Why not go to Desolation Valley instead

​​​​​​​https://www.recreation.gov/permits/D...O&parkId=72202

"Seems crazy that I have applied multiple times for different weekends (thurs-sun) and different trailheads - still not gotten one."

From the NPS website:

"Due to very high demand, over 97% of all John Muir Trail through-hike permit applications are denied."

Permits can only be requested 24 weeks in advance. Each day, they process Faxed requests before accepting phone calls, and I'm pretty sure asking only for weekends decreases your odds.