Unless it's a trivial route you won't know unless YOU go with YOUR group. You should always be prepared to
turn around, scope out ahead for your group, help your group through difficult sections, and decide enough
is enough. You should also take care of everyone in your group and know exactly
where you are at all times (there's no excuse really for this in this day and age imo anymore).
Conditions change yearly and weekly depending on elevation and previous snowpack.
So... you just go with an idea and play by ear. It's best if you've been in the area before and have
done some of the route.
By the way, this is applicable to any trip... trail or no trail!
But yeah, you look at the topo maps and satellite imagery and maybe you can make it.
But it depends on elevation and what is really there and what you are comfortable doing.
Because it all looks easy from here.
This is how I work. I have too many ideas in my head... We start hiking and I say I'm going to
say I'll stay on the trail... after 1/2 mile something catches my eye and we skip the trial for fun.
Curious what you are thinking. And what made you turn back. Personally I've done probably
2000 miles of off trail stuff in Yosemite... and the stuff that really slows you down is
the shrubbery...
Have fun. Be safe