The North Fork has a limit of 10 overnight permits per day. 6 of those may be reserved in advance, and the other 4 are only available as a walk-in. Guides have an additional 8 permits for use.
As stated previously, day hikes in the Whitney Zone fall under the same quota with no distinction between the mail trail or the North Fork.
Whether you can do it solo, and whether it's a walk in the park or an epic would depend on your experience. I've ran into several parties getting way off route on the North Fork before and bushwhacking like crazy before they see me in the distance and start heading over. I've also ran into other solo hikers who have zero problems.
I'm from San Diego and wouldn't mind going with you at the tail end of my trip to Yosemite (if I still have anything left in me by that point), but I'm going the first week of August, not the end. I'd also only do the Mountaineer's Route as a day hike. I'd only backpack if it was one of the technical routes up Whitney or Russell.
Try to find a competent partner before going for a guide is my opinion.
Last edited by 2600fromatari; 07/17/15 04:26 PM.
