We leave very early on Thursday and drive across the southernmost pass across the Sierra Nevada, and back up the east side to the Alabama Hills just east of Mt. Whitney. Friday and Saturday involve less driving, more botanizing. Sunday is a marathon drive home. Spectacular views, plants, good collecting. Everything is primitive.
Weather can be hot, cold, wet, dry.
Bring your tent. Not a trip for the undedicated. Note that we leave on Friday morning, so you need to make arrangements with your instructors to miss your other Friday classes. It's an opportunity to use what you've learned and to review for the final exams. Nevertheless, it comes on the last weekend of the course, just before finals - thus, you'll need to plan ahead and have all your other responsibilities cared for to enjoy the trip.