I was planning a multi-day backpacking trip in the Angeles National Forest stopping at trail camps along the way and wanted to know if you need a permit for camping?

I've never acquired one and never had an issue. It's fair to mention that I'm a bit of a rebel though.

You will most certainly need a forest adventure pass.

Go to this site for the Angeles National Forest and call the number for the station in Arcadia. They should be able to answer your questions. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/passes/

redneck wrote:Usually you will, but it depends on which Wilderness Areas you are staying in or passing through. Most Wilderness Areas need a permit for entry and for camping. In a Wilderness Area, you are also generally required to camp only in designated trail camp sites.

So to answer this question, we will need to know more about your planned itinerary.

I wanted to hike the Mount Wilson toll road and stay at Idlehour camp for a night. Then finish the hike up to Mount Wilson. Then go down the Sturtevant Trail to the Spruce Grove camp. Then head down the Zion Trail to Hoegees camp. Then head on back down the Mount Wilson Toll road via the Mazanita Trail stopping at Idlehour camp again. So like a 3 or 4 day backpacking trip.

What I would really like to is to do the 53 mile Silver Moccasin Trail but I think alot of it is closed due to the fires.

Of note:

I just talked to an ultrarunner friend that ran Chantry to El Prieto on the AC100 course this past weekend. He said that much of the trails, including the area around Idlehour are thrashed from the fire/rains, and that the trail is nonexistent in sections.