A side effect of having no accommodations for backpackers in Tuolumne during the campground renovation is that this will put more pressure on the backcountry in the Lyell Canyon and Cathedral Lakes area (and maybe Sunrise). I suspect most JMT thru hikers starting at Happy Isles will camp at one of the Cathedral Lakes and then camp at the first legal camping in Lyell Canyon four miles from Tuolumne. I hope Yosemite has considered this side effect of closing the backpacker campground.
ravi_jmt2013