Conditions for backpacking trip starting May 26-June 2nd

[branson]

I'm supposed to go on a backpacking trip with 5 other people starting May 26th. Our plan is to start in Tuolumne Meadows, head down the John Muir Trail to Little Yosemite Valley, go down Illilouette Trail, over Red Peak Pass, up to Merced Lake, and up to Tuolumne. I just called the Yosemite number and Tioga Road is "temporarily closed due to snow and icy conditions" so is this loop pretty much impossible? Even if the road opens will we run into large amounts of snow? Will we be able to cross the rivers? We are moderately experienced (backpacked 2 time before) but have never hiked/backpacked in snow before. We can change the route to avoid Red Peak, but will we still run into snow on the other trails?

[branson]

Also if most of the trails are okay, will Red Peak Pass be possible at this time of year?

[AlmostThere]

There are 8 inches of snow in Tuolumne Meadows, at 9000 feet. The pass is higher than that. Even if the road opens - snow melts faster on asphalt than on the ground, in the shade, on north facing slopes. There will still be plenty of snow.

Trip reports from last week mentioned 4 feet of snow on trails near Cathedral Lakes, above 9000 feet.

If water is more than knee deep and running fast, it is probably too much for people without experience with water crossings. If you have no experience with snow, it's probably not a good idea. Where snow is deeper than a foot you will lose the trail and there are no markers to follow - no navigation skills and you'll have a lot of difficulty finding the route to the pass, let alone climbing it.

[balzaccom]

The answer to your second question is that Red Peak Pass is often difficult early in the season, particularly on the North side. It will have deep steep, and sometimes icy snow, and your route does not offer an easy escape route if the pass is too scary.

I would choose a different trip for this time of year.