Hey, once thing you need to get the permit during a weekday, the ranger station in Ojai is closed on the weekends and that is where you get the permit. one thing, you are required to have 4wd for these trails, and you are required to be in 4wd from the moment you enter the gates. I'm trying to remember if they told me once that they check to make sure you have 4wd. either way, if you go I will come with you because you have to drive right by my house to get there and depending on when you go I might be able to go up and get a permit.