I have a long-term plan to just just as you suggest. I already have 2 road bikes with drop bars and my LHT will be my all-arounder for everyday commuting, shopping, laying rubber, carting kids around, and a mixture of road and dirt. Here's my plan:

1. Replace the stem with a MTB-sized one (25.4 mm).
2. Install On-One Mary bars - I'm running these now on my Bridgestoen MB-1 and digging them.
3. Install Paul Thumbies - definitely check these out if you're not familiar, they mount the barcons that come on the LHT.
4. Wrap the grip sections (longer than typical MTB grips will allow you to use).
5. Ride

To me, this is the ideal do-most/have fun/practical bike. I will also put a custom porteur rack on the front, another reason to NOT use drop bars for me. I just wish the LHT came with discs. A KM/LHT cross-breed is really what I'm after.