Best areas right now

[hike-n-brew]

Is now really a good time to go backpacking in Yosemite?
-If so, what areas do you folks think have the best conditions at this point in the season? And what would you recommend to a Yosemite novice (but a fairly experienced backpacker)?

Are there other sierra destinations with better conditions right now?

I'm planning a trip of variable length in about a week and have no clue yet where I will go! Any help much appreciated.

[KC]

I was just in the Lake Alpine area on highway 4 a week-and-a-half ago for work and there was still considerable snow cover. Obviously nowhere near as bad as a month prior, but it was still a few inches near the highway shoulder (where it's exposed) and much deeper in the forest itself.

I feel your pain because I've been looking for a weekend out but it's just difficult to go anywhere if you don't have the snow gear. Yesterday I called the Mendocino Ranger station for Snow Mountain Wilderness and the ranger told me to give another week or two. There's always the coast, like Butano State Park, Point Reyes, or Big Trees, but they are always crowded this time of year.