44 Avalanche
Desolation Wilderness · California
44 Avalanche is one of the permitted entry points in Desolation Wilderness on recreation.gov. Its current demand score is 63/100. Permit Ranger watches this pass around the clock and alerts you the moment a sold-out date opens up.
When permits are released
First-come-first-served: each entry date's zone quota opens 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific (rolling window, no lottery, no later drop). Quota season is roughly the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30 (recreation.gov's grid can start a couple of days earlier - 2026 runs May 20 – Sep 30). Off-season, permits are still required (and still bought on recreation.gov) but have no quota - they never sell out.
Demand
High demand (63/100)
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in this area.
Popular trails nearby
- Phipps and Grouse Lakes Loop - 4.9 on AllTrails
- Dicks Peak - 4.8 on AllTrails
- Middle Velma Lake - 4.8 on AllTrails
- Eagle Lake Trail - 4.8 on AllTrails
- Granite Lake, Dick's Lake, Velma Lake, and Eagle Lake Loop - 4.8 on AllTrails
Frequently asked questions
When do 44 Avalanche permits open?
What if my dates are sold out?
How competitive is 44 Avalanche?
Does Permit Ranger book the permit for me?
Nearby passes
- 40 Lake of Woods - 1 mi away
- 41 Tamarack - 2 mi away
- 39 American - 2 mi away
- 38 Waca - 2 mi away
- 33 Aloha - 2 mi away
Book on recreation.gov · All Desolation Wilderness passes · Desolation Wilderness permit guide