Originally Posted By: wbtravis
Originally Posted By: tdtz
I should hike up to the summit and spend the night on the summit so I can see the sunrise from the top.


There is no need to spend the night on the summit. Just get up early and go. We've been on the summit at dawn or the crest every time we've approached from the west. It's well worth losing a few hours sleep...I, for one, don't sleep all that swell at 11,700'.

By being on the summit by dawn, you give yourself a lot of options for the rest of the day. We usually hike out, take a shower and head for home but if you want another night on the mountain, I'd suggest Lone Pine Lake. Only a few people camp there, compared to the upper and lower zoos.

All you need is a very good headlight for trail walking, I currently use a BD Spot.


I love to camp at LPL. Done it at least three times.

My whole approach to this trip is to take it as it comes. Sleeping on the summit would be one of those things where I can say "been there, done that". Not sure that I would sleep any better at 11,700 than I would at 14,500'. Maybe after a week at altitude...who knows.