Planned to backpack from Tuolumne to the Valley via Sunrise and Clouds Rest, but I've just checked with the Wilderness Office and a staff member who just returned from that area said the trail up to Cathedral Lakes still has waist high snow in some places. The idea of sinking through snow with a forty pound pack on doesn't sound that appealing, so I'm taking my ice ax and going to do some exploring on a couple of day hikes. Mt. Dana is a nice early season hike because you can slide down the snowfields on the way down. I might also try a jaunt up to Glen Aulin or up Lyell Fork. I'll report in on Monday the conditions. And of course I'm looking forward to dining at the Mobil Station: fish tacos and their famous cheesecake!