Originally Posted by
nomadine
iahphx "Earlier, I linked to the official info site. You have to arrive by a fixed time, and, I believe, leave by a fixed time. They have gates and will certainly close them. I don't think you'll be allowed to head out at 10 pm."
The county folks are good about this. They don't lock you in and let you fend for yourself all the way back up Highway 130 without your vehicle. They make a sweep prior to closing and make sure that the site is indeed cleared of people before shutting it down.
Re: closing. When we went, we went as close to 8 as possible, got in right before 8, around 7:50, and drove up straight to the trailhead. We stayed about an hour and were pleased that the car was right at the trailhead rather than a mile or two down the road.