With 1-2' of fresh snow in Tahoe, I went instead to the Southern Sierra to hike several HPS peaks in the Lake Isabella area. For Split and Black Mountains, I started from Alta Sierra since the gate at Greenhorn Summit was locked. This route goes through private property, but no one was around on this early spring day.

The ridge from Cane Spring to Split was mostly snow-free, so the main challenge was weaving through the brush and avoiding the poodle dog bush. As other have pointed out, there's not much actual bushwhacking if you take care to follow the faint use trail. The climb up to Split from the final saddle follows a well-ducked route and is steep, scrambly, and fun. Excellent rocky summit with great views. Register dating to 1970.

In contrast, heading up Black Mountain's north slope was a snow climb on mostly firm snow. Summit was in the clouds, so no views. Followed a steep ducked route down the west slope back to Black Mountain Saddle.