High Sierra Topix

I never sleep without a tent in the Sierras, primarily because I've been rained and snowed on every month of the year out there except October. Mosquitoes and other insects are a factor too. Wind can be very strong, even if there is no storm, so I would never use a tarp or a tent that isn't free standing due to the noise of the wind hammering it keeping me awake. A weekend trip might be worth the risk, but only if you are at least several miles from the crest of the Sierra. It's almost a coin toss on rain each summer day near the crest, and even the point forecasts aren't accurate there. My last trip in September 2023 featured two days of rain with short breaks and wind gusts nearly every minute up to 45 mph.

180 degrees opposite to that post from my experience. And October is the worst and most dangerous month from the standpoint of people underestimating what nature can bring. Many deaths have occurred in that timeframe. August/September not so much in my travels there - I take a tent but use it sparingly since cowboy camping is so much more satisfying.