[pct-l] permits

[JPayne at standardsteel.com (James Payne)]

s.c. wrote "hahaha careful comparing northern california scofflaw
practices... " 

Nothing "scofflaw" about it...  Perfectly legal...  Many areas don't
require a wilderness permit, and some that do require a permit do not
have any 'quota' restrictions...

The Marble Mountains Wilderness in Klamath NF doesn't require a permit,
however some trailheads do have a voluntary 'exit survey' - and they use
these to 'gauge' the backcountry usage and maintenance needs...

Desolation Wilderness above Lake Tahoe was "the most heavily used
wilderness in the US" in the late 60's...  A permit and quota system was
developed - the first quota system in the US for backcountry usage - and
many other highly used areas quickly followed suit...

Each individual National Forest sets its own permit 'policy' (and the
same in the Interior for national parks)...  and in CA, there are some
state park lands with 'quota' systems (San Jacinto Wilderness SP)... 
Some areas need a quota system, many do not; many areas need a permit
system (for gathering usage info/data), some do not...  Unfortunately,
there isn't, and probably never will be, a uniform, standardized
'permit' program nationwide for all areas - whether it be in national
forests, national parks, BLM, state parks, etc.

So, just do what is required/requested in whatever area you will be
visiting...  and hope or pray that there is NEVER a QUOTA put on
THRU-HIKERS!!!

Happy trails!