The trail is not exactly crowded at 3AM. You will likely see headlamps ahead and behind. You may encounter stragglers coming down or fast hikers coming up from behind. July 19 is full moon. You will have moonlight until the moon drops below the ridgeline. Your permit allows you to start at midnight. One year we saw about a dozen hikers lined up at the trailhead waiting for 12 o'clock. After our first hike, my wife said she would have no problems hiking the trail at night by herself. Enjoy!
Actually, your permit allows you to enter the Wilderness at midnight. There were probably another dozen or more hikers a mile or so ahead of your group.
