by balzaccom » Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:47 pm
You won't find many people who have been on the trails there recently, so here are my thoughts. From Hetch-hetchy over the dam and up to the Beehive, you won't have much snow or many problems. From the Beehive you may have only slight snow issues on the trail down to Lake Vernon. But if you go over Moraine Ridge (AKA Migraine Ridge) up to Jack Main Canyon, I would expect that the upper end of the trail (Since it's on the North side of the ridge) would be icy/snowy. Jack Main itself may be fine. Tiltill Valley is usually a mass of snowy, potholed mess in spring...and it would only take one snowfall to get it on its way again.
HOWEVER: note that at this time of year it's pretty common to get a big snowstorm (and we sure as heck are praying for one) and if one hit while you were two days up Jack Main Canyon, you might have a pretty tough time getting back. Trails disappear under six inches of snow...so please make Da%N sure you know what you are doing. We've had snow at 5,000 feet in Yosemite in early June...and March is way early.
If I were you, I would look at Rancheria Falls, maybe some day-hikes from the Falls up to LeConte...
Two days of hiking from a trailhead in a snowstorm is something that only very experienced and well-equipped hikers should consider.
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