There is still a couple of feet of snow at the top of Lamarck Col as of today. Hard pack in the mornings, turning to post-hole gunk by 10 AM. Much of it will melt in two weeks, but be prepared for lots of slogging, especially since Lamarck is at 13,000.
Paiute Pass is melting rapidly and should be no problem. Lots of hikers have gone over, leaving a nice trough through the remaining snow.
This morning I spoke with a JMT hiker coming out to Bishop to resupply, who decided against continuing. He had been in two feet of snow on the approach and descent from Bishop Pass (12,000). He said Muir Pass was not too bad since it is an East-West pass that gets a lot of sun.
The Class 2 route on Agassiz still has snow as of today.
If you decide to use Lamarck Col, be sure to carefully read the route description in the Secor guide. The use-trail to the Col begins below Upper Lamarck Lake - cross the outlet stream from the lake. Above all...DO NOT attempt the obvious snow-filled slope above Upper Lamarck Lake - it is a big boulder trap.
