No one seems to be able to give straight answer about which parking pass you need to do this hike.  People selling the pass will tell you you have to have it, but then they'll tell you they're sold out so you have to go to a different place. Fellow hikers in the parking lot will say you can just use the America The Beautiful Pass. I ended up buying the Big Pines day pass from the visitor's center but honestly I think this whole multipass situation is ridiculous. But all that aside this was my first time doing this trail. Really enjoyed it. I made it up and back in 3 hours and 20 minutes which for me is fast. It was a hot day but I managed to do oaky with the heat. I hope to do this trail again in the fall when it's cooler and maybe when all this pass business is sorted.