Just back from the road, so only a quick reply for Aaron, and a conditions prediction. We were at Hamilton a couple days before dethMarch (really great meeting him ) and the snow tunnel was as described and apparently on the verge of collapse. Which I guess it did, fortunately with no one in transit. Conditions to Kaweah Gap on the 12th and 13th were far worse than he describes a few days later. As of the 12th, a much stronger party than mine, with all the right snow and ice gear, backed off 500 ft below the gap, having had a wet, cold struggle with the snow tunnel. Intermittent clouds down to 8300 ft during that week made it even hairier: intermittent whiteout conditions.
Bottom line, between the 13th and 17th, there was extremely rapid melting and improvement. Although as of yesterday am, no one had made it to the portal via the HST, I would not be surprised to learn that the first parties have crossed Kaweah Gap by now, and by the 29th, it should actually be summer up there. I would definitely go for it, and not plan to take ice gear, unless of course you want to glissade the Chute
Most of the crossings are way down from two weeks ago. 9 mile has a doable dry crossing below the trail, and Mehrten has dry rocks in the AM. The waterfall crossing is too fast and deep at the trail, but not by much, so it may go by the 29th. Safest is ON the log about 20 feet upstream.
Probably the crux of your trip will be crossing Big Arroyo. Lots of snow still: I was going to look at crossing at the tarn about halfway between the Gap and BA Junction. Also check out progress of the Lion fire in the Golden Trout wilderness. It was choking campers out of the portal, and may not be out for weeks: it was lightning set, but is being managed for environmental improvement, not being fought to full suppression.
Be prepared to treat the deer at Hamilton like 100+ lb marmots. They will chew and TAKE anything with salt: wallets, pack straps, t shirts, trekking poles. This is no joke. there are a couple of 8-point bucks that will challenge you for your stuff.
Call the SEKI wilderness office, do not rely on their web posting, which is generally old and too conservative.
Have a great trip.
More later in a full TR.
