Am considering a complete overhaul of my backpacking calendar in response to this winter's weather. Effectively, if not literally, storms stopped hitting the state with the new year and we're on track for the third historically dry month in a row. We're already past the period when the Sierra typically collects the bulk of the seasonal snowpack, anything we ger from this point is sheer luck.

Even with "normal" weather from today, the high country will open up early--weeks early--and I'd count on fire closures and a lot of usually dependable water sources drying up.

Guess what I'm suggesting is if you have a big trip planned for August or September, consider moving it up (if permits aren't involved). In the meantime, amuse yourselves with the snow sensors.

Calif. Cooperative Snow Surveys

Cheers,

[ETA--d'oh! I meant to post this to the trip planning forum. User error.]