Hi from a Newbie & long-time lurker.

On the handful of occasions I've been through the Portal in the past, the parking has looked very full. Is it realistic to expect that I can find a long-term parking space on a Weds late morning/lunchtime, in mid August? (yup, advance planning for this summer's trip!)

I'm trying to figure out whether I should plan to leave my car there for an 8-day trip exiting at WP (makes finishing easier), or whether I should leave it down in Lone Pine.

Anybody ever completely failed to get a place, or is there always somewhere you can squeeze a car in?
Cheers
Dave