Rocco, I haven't gone up that trail in 30 years, but the elevation hasn't changed: You start at 6,400', and climb to Shepherd pass at 12,000, with a 500' drop and gain between Symmes and Shepherd creek. So be prepared for a big elevation day. I hope you will be packing extra light.
The vegetation is so sparse, there should not be any bear activity anywhere near Shepherd Pass.
Good luck!
I did both peaks in the same day, too. But we started up in the dark, dry-camped in the middle of the trail after gaining several thousand feet. Spent the next day climbing to Shepherd Pass. But we had extremely heavy packs.
