Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Camping at Altitude?

I've gotten another "Get out of Jail Card" from my wife a week before my Whitney climb. So I'm looking for a camping spot with some altitude,(8K -10K). I'm new to the Bay Area, so thinking somewhere around Tahoe. Any suggestions where I can find a spot to drive up to on a Friday and camp solo?(A couple of hours hike in is OK) This may be more of me just getting away for awhile. but I'll take your suggestions.
Thanks,

use that hall pass wisely grasshopper

spend a couple of nights before your hike at horseshoe meadows, very peacefull durring the week

There is a campground on the top of Mt Rose Hwy (8911') if you wanted to car camp. There is also a trailhead for the Tahoe Rim Trail across the street from the campground where you can access the high point on the trail at Relay Peak (10,300') in about 5 miles.

Tioga Pass and Saddlebag lake both have car camping around 10k. You could dayhike Conness or Mt Dana and get up over 13 k. Toulumne Meadows might not be so crowded at this time of year and lots of dayhiking possibilities from there.

Tahoe is closer by an hour or two...Perhaps Echo Lakes (ferry) and a short few hiking hours to Aloha area...many lakes with fishing available.

Go to White Mountain on the east side of Owens Valley. The trailhead is almost 12,000 ft. I was there last weeekend.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Had a friend take me to the Desolation Wilderness. We camped Friday night at Pyramid Creek at about 6200Ft. On Saturday we went for Pyramid Peak - 9983Ft. via Rocky Creek trail. Pretty steep. Roughly 4000 ft. elevation gain in 3.7 miles. Carried a 30 lb. pack and am feeling pretty good today.
Will let you all know how the Mountaineers Route goes next week.

I do that hike up rocky canyon to Pyramid every spring as a warm up hike. I always seem to lose a toenail on the steep descent. I hate that hike because it kills me everytime because of the grade but it's perfect for what you are training for. If you feel OK after lugging a pack up there then you are probably good to go for the MR. Just do some acclimatizing before your trip if possible. Good luck!

My buddy finished the hike with some blisters and black toes. Yeh, it's a leg burner.
I will get some more time at altitude late this week. Thursday night at Mammoth Lakes, Friday some light hiking around Whitney Portal and Friday camping at the Portal. I should be OK.