I need your help! I made a mistake of planning a 4th of July backpacking trip to Bishop Pass. I knew that would be a little early in the year, but I did not have many options. Unfortunately, most of the trails and even roads are snowed in after this winter. Can anybody suggest trails that are open or at least half snow free? I checked Jennie Lakes and Big Meadow Campground but it is still buried. Anything lower elevations west of Kings Canyon or Sequoia? Trails in the coastal mountains? I don't mind the snow, but my better half likes to stay on trails.

Please help!

Since half your group prefers no snow.... The one thing that comes to mind is the trail to Merced Lake off the JMT beyond Little Yosemite Valley. I have not been beyond the junction to Half Dome and Clouds Rest, but it is in the canyon, so lower and should be pretty much snow free.

Of course the big problem is getting the permit. You would have to get in line early the morning before your hike to try for a walk-in spot, or maybe get a Glacier Point entry.

The snow in July should not be bad anywhere -- temps are warm, the snow is melting, so there shouldn't be that much for people to walk over. And that is all it is -- something to walk over. It is so dense from the melting that there shouldn't be much sinking in at all.

Look at the lower elevations[in Sequoia/Kings. I have been watching this area very carefully and there is a lot of clear trail. Out of Crescent Meadow, High Sierra Trail is pretty clear to several junctions from which you can yo-yo, go a little higher, or loop back even lower, along the Middle Fork Kaweah. CAll the SEKI wilderness office for specific info: the posted reports are a week or two out of date, which can make a big difference.

And Steve had a good suggestion, too. Merced Lake and beyond is only a little higher than Little Yosemite, and the Glacier Point trailhead is not a bad way to go. Panorama Trail, over Illilouette and actually descends to top of Nevada Fall and LYV, avoids the crowds from Happy Isles.

All the the trails below are near the Bishop Area:

I went to 1st Lake on the North Fork of Big Pine creek this morning. No snow. Probably passable above that elevation.

South Fork of Big Pine Creek bridge was destroyed this winter; forget it.

McGee Creek trail is open quite a way up, but the bridge over the major stream crossing is down in a "V" shape. A couple of days ago friends made it across by piling rocks into the "V".

From North Lake, the Piute Pass trail is open until the 10,500 foot level. Trail to Grass Lake is open.

Little Lakes Valley (Rock Creek drainage) has snow at about 10,750 level.

On my map I see TH buckeye flats, and South Fork. Both in the southwest corner of the park. Been to those locations?

Do you have any experience on Garfield Grove trail? It leaves South Fork campground.

Nope and nope. Been looking at the HST, mainly, just happened to come across some other nearby beta. Check out Foothills/South Fork section here. Note the dates of the entries,and call SEKI for more recent.

That was a good place to look. I found a few trails and have 2 days I can start my hike, so I think I have a good chance of getting a walk in permit or no show permit.

According to the permit office, there are very few entries on the trails.