The last three years were really dry, so the snow cleared earlier than usual. This year is bringing more snow, but it still is below average.
Mid-June conditions is a question mark right now.
It is easier to get an unused (no-show) permit than joining a random group. Only this year, people without reserved permits will not get a parking permit for Whitney Portal (required this year due to construction and no parking allowed along the road). If you can snag a ride with a "random group" you can probably pick up a no-show permit pretty easily.
