The shuttle from LP to CM does not run very early, so unless you stealth as Steve suggests, a really early start from CM is not practical. I would take an easier first day, either to the creek at Nine Mile, 2 mi short of Bearpaw or better still Buck Creek. Buck Creek is a fantastic spot, only a mile short of Bearpaw, and saves that climb for an early fresh start. Next sure water after BP is actually at the Kaweah crossing just above the falls, a mile or so short of Lower Hamilton. This is likely to be a really dry stretch, lots of hot southern exposure especially the switchers above the Lone Pine Creek bridge. It had a lot of seeps in 2011, the last really wet year, but I would not count on any water between BP and the Kaweah falls crossing this year.
