First off, you living in California; therefore, you live near mountains and a REI.
On to the questions asked...
1. Night Hiking, Lions, Tigers and Bears...If you have a good headlight it is very safe but slower. You are very likely to see your headlight reflecting off some animal's eyes...which is very cool. I hike at night all the time and have never been eaten by any of the aforementioned animals. I will on on Mt. B-P on the 26th after a night hike.
2. Refills...I never refill at Trail Camp...I prefer Trailside Meadow. It is halfway and the water is less likely of having a WAG bag floating in it. The pond is hard to miss.
3. Getting Lost...If you get a real map and study it seriously before going, you should not having any problems. If you do not you may end up at Guitar Lake in search of Mt. Whitney.
4. Steep Places...Yeah, there are a couple that you need to pay attention to. Again, do your homework. There is plenty of information in the public domain about all the dangerous places along the trail. Just search out John Likely.
Advice...Go to a trail you are very familiar with and start up above a half hour before sunset and go for 3 or 4 hours, then head back. If your headlight sucks...go to the aforementioned REI and buy a Black Diamond Spot or better.
