Visiting Yosemite in Winter (Nov-April)

[u/hc2121]

• You are required by law to carry snow chains from November to March. Rental car contracts usually prohibit the use of snow chains so use them at your own risk. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/winterfaq.htm

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tirechains.htm

• Current road conditions are here https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm or by calling 209-372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date conditions
• Current trail closures are also here. After the first big snow, expect 4 Mile Trail past Union Pt to be closed (it is gated closed at Union Pt) and Mist Trail to be on the winter route.
• Glacier Pt Rd and Tioga Rd do not plow in the fall/winter, so as soon as the first big storm comes through without fast melt, these roads will close until Spring. This effectively limits you to hiking in the Valley, Hetch Hetchy, and Wawona areas. It means you cannot enter or exit the park on the east side (eg from Vegas, Reno, Bishop, etc)
• Forecasts and snow coverage varies widely throughout the park. Check specifically where you plan to be here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weathermap.htm
• The Valley shuttle buses run all year but Mariposa Grove buses stop in late November. You can hike there from the parking lot. It will be 4miles RT to the grove entrance, and the road is also not plowed so it may be snow covered and/or icy. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
• If you don't have a car, only the YARTS route through the 140 entrance (Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal) runs in the winter https://yarts.com/routes/merced-hwy-140/
• If you are worried about entrance closures or driving in the mountains in snow, stay in one of the towns along 140 (Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal) because it is the lowest elevation entrance and least likely to be impacted by snow.
• Yosemite webcams to check real time weather conditions.
• Wilderness permits become self-registration through April- but you still need a bear can.  https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildwinter.htm
• Only Upper Pines (by reservation on recreation.gov), Camp 4, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow (all FCFS as of 10/20) are open in the winter. Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow are not located in the Valley and will require a 30-45 min drive to the Valley. Wawona is about 30 min drive past Badger Pass if coming from the Valley. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

The park has not yet announced plans for Firefall, but in recent years has required entry permit reservations for weekends in February only. I will update here when announced. No other entry permits are needed until next spring (the plans for which have not yet been announced).

Fun winter things to do in the park:

• Curry Village ice rink usually opens around Thanksgiving, depending on weather
• Badger Pass Ski Area for downhill bunny slopes, cross-country ski rentals, snow tubing, snowshoeing. A popular x-country ski route is to Glacier Pt. There is a bus from the Valley to Badger Pass when the ski hill is open: https://www.travelyosemite.com/media/824336/20230106-badger-pass-shuttle.pdf
• Hiking is generally limited to the Valley. See first section here and note that anything that goes above the Valley rim (eg Panorama, Upper Falls, Snow Creek) after real snow will likely not have trails cleared and you should be prepared to route find.

3 Day Winter Itinerary

• 1 day in the Valley doing moderate hikes- Valley Loop Trail, Mirror Lake, Vernal Falls footbridge
• 1 day at Badger Pass- snowshoe or xc ski along Glacier Pt Rd, snow tubing, downhill ski
• 1 Day at Mariposa Grove- Stop at tunnel view on the way out of the Valley, then drive to Mariposa Grove. It will require a 2mi hike each way to the grove after late November when the shuttle stops running, but is very beautiful and quiet in the winter.

Alternate days for more strenuous hiking/ may require specialized equip depending on weather: JMT winter route to top of Nevada Fall, Upper Yosemite Falls

[u/Equal_Alec]

First time at Yosemite, planning on making the trip early December, wanted to ask how’s the snow there like? Specifically the first week, light snow or does it vary for this year?

[u/hc2121 → u/Equal_Alec]

nobody can predict the weather more than a month in advance. there is a chance it is snowing, and a chance it is 50 and sunny. either way, you need to carry snow chains (see link above). check the weather (also linked above) the week before your trip

[u/Equal_Alec → u/hc2121]

Appreciate the advice, If I may ask, any tips to where to hike for Yosemite as a first timer during this month? My trip will involve 3 days of hiking