Overnight Round Valley permit at Long Valley Ranger Station?

[jfr]

Does the Ranger Station in Long Valley issue overnight camping permits for Round Valley or Tamarack?

Several years ago I was able to get a spur-of-the-moment overnight camping permit at the Long Valley Ranger Station after taking the tram. But that was before the new $5 per person fee change. When the fees first started, the nice ranger let me slide and gave me a permit anyway, as they had no way to accept the fee up on the mountain in Long Valley. Since then, I've been careful to plan my trips weeks ahead and simply mail my permit application to Idyllwild like I'm supposed to. No problem.

Two days ago, my son (not well-known for planning ahead) told me that he wanted to take the tram and camp at Round Valley in the snow this Thursday night (i.e. tomorrow!). I wasn't sure if he could get a permit. So I'm posting here in search of additional fatherly advice: Would it be possible?

We already tried calling the ranger station using the number on their website and no one answered the phone. Driving from San Diego to Idyllwild first, then going all the way around the mountain to the tram would put a major damper on his trip...

[Backwoods]

The Idyllwild Ranger station is closed on thur's but they have self service box out front were you fill out a form put $5 in the envlope with it and go I think I saw one of those at the LV station I'm not 100% sure though I live in Idyllwild so I always handle that here. I would think if they have one here they would have one there.

[jertcen]

Anyone know if there are self-serve overnight backpacking permits available at the Long Valley station? I'm thinking about going up this weekend and staying at Round Valley or Tamarack. Snow should be pretty well melted by then, no?

[macman]

I think it is just self service if there is no ranger present.