Late March Backpacking

[egood]

I'm looking to do a 3-4 night backpacking trip the last week of March. What are some good trail options that will be accessible that early in the season? Thanks!

[AlmostThere]

In a normal snow year, none of them.

This year, you may be able to do quite a number of trails - if you have traction devices like Ice trekkers or Katoohla Microspikes. However, in March the roads that are normally closed in winter will likely still be closed, as will places like Tuolumne Meadows, so you will be starting from valley trailheads or out of Wawona area.

You will still want to have winter weight insulation and be prepared for snow. Last year was a low snow year like this year, and the most snow was falling in spring. You may need to navigate back without trails, so having maps and being able to read them will be important as not all trails have snow markers. You won't be able to have campfires - winter regulations in Yosemite - and you may find it difficult to bury your poop if the ground's frozen. Last winter we were expected to pack out our poop when we overnighted at Dewey Point.

For no snow at all, it is still going to mean waiting until late May or June when the lower elevation trails in the southern areas of the park typically melt out and open up.