Please understand, and contrary to the Inyo National Forest's North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail web page, this route is NOT A TRAIL!

It is only a trail in that about a dozen people go up in any day during summer, so it has become a use trail in places. The most commonly-used route crosses NFLPC (the creek) twice, and then climbs the Ebersbacher Ledges. If you don't "know" the route before you go, you will very likely get off route.

Above Lower Boy Scout Lake, there is a boulder field where no track is available, and you need to know what landmark to aim for. There is a point where many miss a turn and end up bushwhacking through high brush.

Ok, that was my warning. Now this: Go here and start learning what the MR is all about: Mountaineers Route info and links

Answers to questions:
The snow is already cleared from the area below the "Notch", but you may still have to climb through some snow in August.

Staying on-route in the dark is only likely if you have done the route before. You should pre-hike the part you cover in the dark the day before in daylight.