I don't know much about the hogback creek route, or the road. (Looking at Google Maps satellite view, it looks pretty accessible from Whitney Portal rd.) Several years ago, I completed a big Whitney loop -- Horseshoe Meadows, Cottonwood lks, Sky Blue Lake, Crabtree Pass, JMT, Wallace Lk, Tulainyo Lk, Russell-Carrillon pass, Whitney Portal, 4 nights. I camped at Wallace Lk, then hiked up to Tulainyo, had lunch, then over the pass and down. Going up via the North Fork is more of a sure thing but it would be tough with a pack! Of course you would need a Whitney Overnight Permit, since it starts at Whitney Portal.
I know several people have gone up via Hogback, to see the Gamblers Special crash site.
