I'm not big on the lottery for MMWT, especially day hike permits. It's a rare day something isn't available.
Every year, folks end up with permits in June or July, which they can't use because of conditions. An example of this was 4th of July weekend 2005. My friends and I utilized WP to acclimatize before heading up to
Bishop Lake, the place was a ghost town because it was still winter up high...and the permits were sold out. Be careful what you request, you may end up with it.
BTW, tomorrow is the first day you can request a trip from another trailhead to Whitney Portal for August 1. Just call, no lottery. My geezer friends and I have done Horseshoe Meadow to WP in 3 days and OV in 4, if a bunch of 50+ geezers can do it...
