Well, if you want to really prepare yourself for punishment on the knees and feet, go both up *and* down Baldy Bowl Trail. If you can manage that pain/fatigue well, that's a good start. My last training hike I like to do at least once close to Whitney is San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek, so you get the most elevation and steepness as well as good mileage (18 miles). But since you don't have the time for that, Baldy as much as you can!
