> So i guess you can hike up to the point that the wilderness starts?
Actually, on the Whitney trail, the wilderness starts at the North Fork crossing. But people can hike all the way to Lone Pine Lake on the trail, and to Lower Boy Scout Lake on the North Fork without a wilderness permit.
...Of course the north fork might be avalanche-prone right now, so I'd stay out of that area if there is any snow cover that could slide.
