Wally,
What a coincidence, I am planning a similar trip this summer over the 4th of July weekend. Do you have a list of things you would do different? Our plan as it stands now (will change 100+ times.) Is to drive their the 3rd, 4th, and arrive on the 5th.

We were going to try and backcountry hike/camp for 5 nights and then hike out.

What I have picked up is, make sure you have broken in your boots!!! Any other nuggets of knowledge to pass along? Would hike the same trail in the future? Also having similar feelings about bears, not so much for my safety but am worried for my wife etc... Black Bears no problem, Grizzly' makes me nervous.

I'll take any info you have, it's tough to plan it having never been their before.