Re: Backpacking suggestions for mid-April - Snowcreek trail or Pohono trail?

A small group of us are going backpacking in Yosemite around mid-April and can use some advice from the experts here. Initial plan was to go from Yosemite Snow and Snowboard area to Glacier Point but that road will be closed for plowing. So debating between the following as two people in our group of 4 have done the following in late spring with no snow:

1. Pohono trail to Taft point and back via Panorama trail
2. Snowcreek trail to the secret cabin or Mt Watkins. (none of us have been to that cabin before)

We are all experienced backpackers and the overnight trip is from Saturday morning to Sunday. Will carry snowshoes.

Any suggestions for alternate trips or any tips for these routes? I am not sure whether snowcreek trail has any avy chutes and same for beginning section of Pohono trail.

Thanks for sharing the information

Be prepared for cross country and full snow from Artist all the way to GP.
Last two weekends... came down Pohono... and everyone was off the trail...
(on purpose? I doubt it) The trail just isn't easy at all to make out
right now... and there is a LOT of snow still... so... it's just what you have
in mind for fun...
I'd highly recommend taking the trail South of Sentinel Dome... not N of...
that may be interesting and Avy Prone... not much else is on Pohono.
With 2 days... that route may be a bit more than your group is prepared for?
Of course you could just turn around and go back from whenst you came.

Snow Creek will be fine. Nothing to really worry about there.

Yosemite Falls is nice... We did that a month ago ... lots of fun snow up top...

Will be going in early April... can say more then. I dunno when they will close
the cabin for the season. It may be April 15th. Once they start plowing Tioga.
Will maybe find out.

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Quote
chick-on
I'd highly recommend taking the trail South of Sentinel Dome... not N of...
that may be interesting and Avy Prone... not much else is on Pohono.
With 2 days... that route may be a bit more than your group is prepared for?
Of course you could just turn around and go back from whenst you came.
.

Thanks a lot for the insightful tips. Yes it would be probably too much to do pohono and panorama in two days with that much snow and possibly slush later in the day.

Will look into Yosemite Falls too and see what are some good and legal spots to camp around there. Will take you up on your offer for first hand beta of trail conditions as it seems like our option is to do Snow creek trail or via Yosemite falls or Pohono to Taft Point and back the same way.

Appreciate all your help.