Cinko Lake Backpacking Wilderness Permits

Hoover Wilderness

photo of Cinko Lake, Hoover Wilderness, California
photo of Cinko Lake, Hoover Wilderness, California

Cinko Lake Backpacking Wilderness Permits

Hoover Wilderness


Wilderness Permits

A Wilderness Permits is required year-round for each party camping overnight in the Hoover Wilderness. Since the Cinko Lake portion of the Hoover Wilderness is in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, they are the agency in charge of wilderness permits. The trailhead for Cinko Lake is at Leavitt Meadow. Recreation.gov is the agency issuing wilderness permits for the Hoover Wilderness. The maximum number of people allowed in each group is 15.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Wilderness Permit Reservations

Leavitt Meadow, Hoover Wilderness, California

Leavitt Meadow

Trail Quotas

There is a quota for the number of people permitted into the wilderness for overnight trips for most trailheads in the Hoover Wilderness. For Leavitt Meadow the quota is 100 people per day. Fifty percent of the quota can be reserved ahead of time at Recreation.gov. Reserved permits can be printed at home within 7 days of entry date. They must be signed and carried with you.

The other 50 slots are set aside as "walk-up" permits, become available "within three days of the date of entry" at Recreation.gov. These permits will be immediately available for printing. "You are responsible to print your permit and maintain a signed hard copy in your possession for the duration of your trip." This is a popular trailhead in the summer and on weekends.



Chain of Lakes, Hoover Wilderness, California

Chain of Lakes

Fees

Currently there is a $6 fee for a permit reservation and $3 more for each person in your party. (These fees may increase from $3 per person to $12 per person over 12 years old in popular areas, including Leavitt Meadow.) For more information, call the Bridgeport Ranger Station (760) 932-7070, summer hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM 7 days a week. During the winter (Oct. 16 - May 14) they are closed on weekends and holidays.
Hoover Wilderness Permits

Key Hoover Wilderness Regulations

  1. Bear canisters are required in the Hoover Wilderness.
  2. Campfires are not permitted above 9,000 feet.

Regulations and procedures are often adjusted due to changes in forest conditions (e.g. wildfires, COVID-19), so it is wise to check the Forest Service website for any updates:
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Books

Sierra North is the leading backpacking resource for backpacking in the northern Sierra.

Tom Harrison Map

Hoover Wilderness Map

Tom Harrison's maps have long been considered the best choice by backpackers.

Mytopo Maps

Reliable maps facilitate trip planning and are invaluable in the back country. One of the best maps for the Sabrina Basin is a custom map printed by mytopo covering as much of the the area you want. On their website you select the boundaries to be printed.

It is wise to include a large area around your planned hike route. Often you will reuse the map for other trips in the region. And there is always the remote chance that you will need to exit via a different trail than you planned. The maps are printed on waterproof, tear-resistant paper.



Leavitt Meadow Pack Station

Leavitt Meadows Pack Station is along Highway 108 in Leavitt Meadow. Using their dunnage drop you can have them drop off and, if you wish, pick up your gear at the end of your trip. Or if you would prefer, you can go on horseback along with the wrangler using their Backpacker Drop and then hike out on your own. Their Spot Pack option allows you to ride in, get dropped off at your camp, and then picked up later at the end of your stay.

Backpacking Supplies


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Backpacking Essentials

Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport has a good supply of camping gear and fishing tackle. They are happy to answer questions about fishing locations.

Beaver's Sporting Goods in Lee Vining carries camping gear and fishing tackle.