At just over 2,500 feet, it's the highest point on the TMT. In spring, look for red currant blooming here. From Tom's Crossing, the West Tiger #2 Trail heads steeply uphill providing another way to reach that summit. Continue down the TMT on many switchbacks and, in about 0.3 mile, note the junction with the K3 Trail.
I rarely show up more than 1.5 ahead of time. Another idea: technically, the ticket counters usually open 24 hrs before your flight, and sometimes this is the only way to easily get special seats like exit rows.
There are two factors the airlines use to determine their recommendations on how early you should show up at the airport before any flight: the time it takes for a checked bag to get to the plane from the counter and how long it takes a passenger to get to the gate from the counter.