Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Higher elevation pre-climb sleeping options

Don't have a permit for overnight use of russel (north fork), so will be trying for a walk-in in two weeks. Would like to spend the night before at higher elevation; any secret towns/locations?

Lee Vining hotel would be at 6k (which is good), but is 1.5 hrs from lone pine, so would have to get up super early for the 8am lottery for same-day entry.
Lone Pine is basically sea level at 3k ft so wouldn't gain any benefit, but obviously local.
Another option is to sleep in Lee Vining, but then drive more leisurely and try for the 11am or 2pm lottery for the following day's entrance.
(As a last option, the trailhead is at ~7k but it's loud and won't be restful sleeping 3 in a car; done that, past that:)

Any secret spots / general thoughts? It'd be nicer if we didn't have to spend a day on permits, but alas, that's the price for the area...

You might consider the Grandview Campground on the road up to the Bristlecone forest, out of Big Pine. It's somewhere around 8k. You need to carry all your water, it's dry. If you have time, continue up to the Schulman Grove and do the 4 mile hike. It's beautiful, interesting, and a good conditioner at 10K.

If you don't mind sleeping out Horseshoe Meadows trailhead is 10,000'+. Onion Valley trailhead out of Independence is 9200'. If you're considering getting a room somewhere the town of Mammoth Lakes is 8000', which is higher and closer than Lee Vining.