Return Creek b/w Tuolumne & PCT -- Thoughts?

[PikaPal]

I'm designing a solo backpack trip in Northern Yosemite for sometime in next couple of weeks. I've done two 6-day backpacks in No. Yosemite in the last two summers, with about 40-50% of travel being off-trail. As potential part of a backpack loop, I'm curious the section of Return Creek/Virginia Canyon that runs south of the PCT down to the Tuolumne River. I'm also interested in the section of Matterhorn Canyon that runs south of PCT and then ends in Regulation/Return Creek. If feasible, I'd like to backpack through these canyons in 1-2 days--perhaps down one, up the other. Or perhaps do a long day hike exploration into those canyons from a basecamp (maybe at Virginia Lake). If the lowest portion of Return Creek canyon were reasonably passable, I might try to loop in a section of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne as well into the itinerary. I'm comfortable on Class 3 terrain, but would rather not be obliged to do miles of it.

Could anyone share their experiences exploring Return Ck/Virginia Canyon and/or Matterhorn Canyon south of the PCT? What is the degree of difficulty of travel? Is the scenery worth the effort? Are there other places in this area (b/w PCT and Tuolumne River; W of Cold Canyon; E of Rodgers Canyon) that you'd recommend visiting? Thanks!

[erutan]

I've been eyeing return as well - I've done a brief walk down from the PCT on it and back up slide to the PCT then back on trail and quite enjoyed it. It looks a bit steep going all the way down to the Tuolumne, but if there's a decent crossing (or one is on that side of the river) cutting up to Virginia Lake > Iron Mt > Mattie gives you ~3 ways to drop back down nearish glen aulin.

Aside from smoke being worse up north when the wind shifts, it'd be a good summer for trying it with lower water levels.