It would be a bit of a different neighborhood, but have you considered part of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Most (nearly all, I think) is below the tree line, and since it is a rim trail few streams to cross (once on the trail). Not sure what the snow is like, but it is lower, so perhaps not as much as in the higher Sierras?
Following web site has current trail conditions.
http://tahoerimtrail.org/current-trail-conditions/
