Thinking to visit Yosemite for some cross-country skiing this weekend or the next one. The idea is to get to Merced Lake and then to head towards Mt Lyell. Tried to google winter conditions along this route but there's surprisingly little information available.
Is it possible to get to Merced Lake directly from the valley? I'm worried about the first section, from the valley to Nevada Fall, since the elevation is low and the normal hiking trail is rather steep. Is it passable either on skis or on foot? Also, would it possibly be easier to go there from Badger Pass?
Is that an avalanche-prone route?