I have not been in that area, so I can not help, but I'm sure some people here have. The only advice I would give is not to take a hybrid anywhere in the wilderness that requires 4 wheel drive. You don't want one of those cars stuck anywhere. They weigh as much as a house so you you can forget about changing tires in a jam.

I would pay extra just to have the peace of mind of a 4 wheeler, but that's just me being on the side of caution. You know what your vehicles can do better than me. Hopefully others will be able to give you a good description of that area, sorry wish i could help you more.

I have no experience with any hybrids, and the last time I did Boundary was in 1991. But I was able to drive within a quarter mile of the end of the road via Queen Canyon with my Datsun (7" inches clearance) wagon. It is a bad steep road, and if really concerned about car damage, you can get a rental Jeep in Mammoth or Bishop probably for only about $100/day. Trail Canyon also is a bad road, and seems to require a backpack, as the Queen Canyon route takes only a few hours to top out. I'd look into even renting an economy car for the drive up Queen, as a sturdy compact can probably make it.

I did Boundary and Montgomery in a dayhike from Trail Canyon in July 2004; I don't recall it being that tough a hike, even with the extra peak, and we didn't start hiking till 8AM. I camped in the pleasant meadow at the end of the Trail Canyon road -- running stream nearby.

I got my Subaru Outback (7.3" clearance) all the way to Trail Canyon TH with no problems, but I've heard of lower-slung cars bottoming, and at least one acquaintance has blown a tire on that road. I'd say modest clearance and a good spare is more important than 4WD. If you can rent a car with decent clearance and a short wheelbase, go for it.

I think the "rough" part of the hike is common for both the Trail Canyon and the Queen start; it occurs after you reach the saddle on the north side and begin the slog S on loose steep talus and blocks. The hike up to that saddle, from Trail Canyon camp, is pretty benign. Also, the descent back to Trail Canyon camp can be made quickly, down the loose, soft talus on the east side of Boundary.

Be aware that the "trail" in Trail Canyon is much vaguer than the trail up Humphreys. Your pace on Humphreys looks pretty good.

Last I looked at the maps and the State HP guide, the route from Trail Canyon goes right next to the Queen Canyon start. You'd then save some 3-4 hours each way by starting at the end of the Queen Canyon road. A Chevy Aveo might do it if you can walk a slight bit when the Queen Road gets bad. I recall they may rent for about $50 or less per day. Decades ago, the Mammoth rent a car stayed open till 11 p.m., so you might even have only one day's charge for rental if you were really with it and climbed and motored quickly enough.

I highly recommend the Queen Canyon approach, having also done Trail Canyon, but it is steep and rocks hitting the car can do some damage. I'd be highly fearful of risking such an expensive car, as my economy cars cost me only about 4-5,000 dollars brand new, back then.

http://gotexassoccer.com/trips/highpoints/nv/nevada.htm

...gives you some idea about Queen and 2wd access.

FWIW- In 1999 I got my Honda Civic and a friend of mine took a Toyota Celica all the way to the Trail Canyon TH without much trouble. We did have to take it slow in places, but at that time it was very doable.

When we went in November a few years back, Moogie737's Honda Pilot seems to have made it with hardly any difficulty. A score of 9 out of 10 was given because while blissfully discussing hiking plans for the next day over dinner, while sitting at the QC mine, the battery died.

FWIW, if you break down at this trailhead, you have a few options: hike to the summit to place a phone call if you stand there just right, or to wait for more folks to come up the road and hope they can help.

We did both!

I don't think I would have taken my 2WD VW up that high, but the previous TR does show two coupes (a Mustang convertible no less!) at QC, so it can be done.

We drove both a Ford F150 2-wheel pickup and a Subaru Forester up the Queen's Mine road- not all the way to the top, but within a 30 minute walk.
It was in May, so the road was blocked by snow anyway. But we stopped driving at a big flat area (one of the mines) that was perfect for camping and out of the wind. As I recall, the road wasn't that bad except there were some monster water bars to cross.
Trip report:
http://www.splattski.com/2005/boundary/index.html

Hey Nittanylion, what did you end up doing?

My advice may be too late for you, but for others who face this question:

I did Boundary via Queen Mine in Aug '08 and highly recommend it. Even if you can't drive the last mile to the saddle, you're still closer to the summit than if starting at the Trail Canyon trailhead. And Queen Mine is easier to find and drive to--even a dinky compact car can make it. You might even be able to make the last mile in a two-wheel drive if conditions are perfect.

With the Queen Mine route, you'll be on ridges almost immediately, which means great scenery the whole way and the nice warm sun to take away the morning chill.

We had a 4wd and camped in the saddle at 10,000'. It was worth it--postcard sunset that night and equally beautiful sunrise the next day!

John
PSU grad '92

The road to Queen Mine is a good dirt road that just about any vehicle should be able to get down, but it will be faster in something with a little clearance. The road from the mine to Kennedy Saddle is a 4WD road - If you have 4WD, just put it in 4WD low and crawl up the hill from the mine to the saddle.