Thanks John and saltydog and all for your suggestions, we will think about them all for sure. It's nice to have so many options to consider.
I took a look on the SEKI permit site, and it looks like the trail head we would want is still quite available for most of the dates we are considering - I don't think Copper Creek heads directly to Rae Lakes, so maybe that is why. After getting a few rejection emails from the JMT already, I have kind of given up on that idea for this year and was looking at this loop hike in SEKI:
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/73686/plus a side trip to Mount Whitney along the way.
But, if we can't get that permit then we would definitely look at some of the other options you guys suggested for acclimatization areas and other access points. Thanks!!
Oh yeah, as far as ground transport, we were planning to fly in to Las Vegas or San Francisco and take public transit or rent a car (depending on if our beginning and end points for the hike are the same or not.)
Jennifer
