It's just my opinion and many may disagree but if the forecast looks good then there is no problem leaving all rain gear behind. Even if it did rain on you I have hiked soaked to the bone in pouring rain and was happy as can be. We all can pick and choose what level of safety we want but when your talking about a forecast of only a couple of days it's highly unlikely to get hit with some freak storm.
Hey Rogue, nobody does what you do for entire summers in the High Sierra, so keep in mind your mileage varies greatly from the rest of us.
A wind shirt (3-4 oz) might be a good compromise for an overnighter with a clear forecast. It's not waterproof, but it will keep the wind chill at bay even if wet. These are perfect for climbing in cool weather in the mornings or evenings and for a windy pass or summit. When you stop, the sweat doesn't evaporate so quickly so you stay more comfortable.
The 2-3 day forecasts for the High Sierra are pretty darn good in July. They typically come in 3 flavors a) clear blue skies b) clear blue skies with afternoon thunderstorms (often due to a well-known pattern of monsoonal moisture from the south) or c) a well-known low pressure freak storm moving in over days from the Pacific, which could bring extended rain and possibly a few inches of snow. It's either settled into a pattern, or it's unsettled between patterns.
A basic light 3-layer clothing system can handle any of these situations. My waterproof breathable shell weighs 9 ounces and my Primaloft insulation layer is less than that. Zip off pants with an extra ultralight merino wool shirt (one long, one short sleeve). Ultralight hat and gloves, done, comfortable, fully prepared. No burden, no sacrifice. There's my $0.02, keep the change.
