I will be dayhiking the main trail for the first time on Friday Oct. 5. I reserved a Whitney Portal campground for the day before. I only reserved a site because I'm always afraid of not finding something on a walk-in basis.
My question: Does it really make sense to camp in my campsite, wake up at 2-3am, tear down camp, re-park my car in the hiker's campground, before starting my hike? Is there a better way?
Alternative #1: I was thinking about sleeping in the car in the hikers' campground. But some have mentioned that it's really hard to sleep in the car due to noise (doors constantly shutting, bear lockers, cars starting, people talking, etc.). But it would REALLY cut down the time it takes to start hiking.
Alternatively #2: I can check the backpackers campground (the secret hidden one) and sleep there if there's space (which I'm learning is highly probable), rather than sleeping in my own reserved campground. I wouldn't have to repark my car in the morning. I can just shove my tent inside the car, and hike. Are there any downsides to this option?
BTW: On Sept. 15, I dayhiked Mt. Langley (Old Army Pass, 10h 37mins total time). I camped in the Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in campground. People respected the 10pm quiet time, but boy, that is still pretty late as I tried to turn in at 9pm. It took me 45 mins to start hiking from the time my alarm woke me up. This is what made me consider sleeping in the car.
Last edited by Trail Lotus; 09/25/19 06:19 PM.
