Create Your Own Yosemite Winter Itinerary
Wave goodbye to crowded city centers, and take a deep breath of Yosemite’s winter. Crisp clear air, rosy cheeks, and Yosemite’s majesty practically to yourself.
Winter gifts us with unobstructed views of snowkissed cliffs. Waterfalls reawaken and cold nights transform the spray into a delicate lacework of ice that melts from the walls in the morning sun. If you catch it at the right moment, a beautiful spray-bow lives at the bottom of Upper Yosemite Fall as the morning light bursts into a rainbow of color.
If you love natural beauty, outdoor adventure and challenging yourself with new experiences, Yosemite’s winter should be at the top of your list.
Let us introduce you to ways to enjoy Yosemite’s winter bliss.
Day 1: Snowshoe or cross country ski through a giant sequoia grove
Whether you prefer the gentle shushing of cross country skis or the sound of snow crunching below snowshoes, a bit of snow travel through one of Yosemite’s three giant sequoia groves is at the top of the list.
Each grove is an exciting encounter with massive beings that are thousands of years old. Their red bark stands in striking contrast with a blanket of white snow all around. In winter’s hush, you can almost hear the whispered wisdom of their years. When fresh snow is blown from the highest branches of a giant sequoia it creates a transcendent shimmering curtain, an ephemeral miniature snowstorm.
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest of the three Yosemite sequoia groves and is located near the south entrance gate by Wawona. For snowshoers, the Washburn trail leaves from the far end of the main parking lot and meanders through the forest for 2 miles (3.2 km) up to the Lower Grove. Though it is a little further than walking the unplowed road, it gives you a chance to be more surrounded by nature. Expert cross-country skiers will also enjoy this route, but it tends to be pretty narrow and winding, and once there is a snowshoe track down the center, it can be a little tricky on skinny skis. Another option is to walk or ski the unplowed road to the Lower Grove. This is definitely the best option for a fast and easy glide back to the car for skiers. Most people turn around at the Grizzly Giant for roughly a 6-mile round-trip journey, but you can also continue to the even lessvisited trees in the Upper Grove.
Trailheads for the Tuolumne Grove and the Merced Grove are both on Highway 120/The Big Oak Flat Road. In both cases, it’s roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) from the trailhead down a wide trail to the giant sequoias. Note that in both cases, the trail to the grove is downhill, so make sure you save some strength for climbing back up to your car at the end of the trip.
One final note on snowshoeing etiquette: Footprints ruin carefully laid cross country ski tracks. If you see a pair of parallel tracks, avoid them and hike next to the tracks instead of on top of them. You’ll earn a cross-country skier’s endless gratitude!
Day 2: Find excellent hiking and biking at lower elevations.
Hike the Merced River Trail from Briceburg toward Yosemite in any season.
If you don’t want to bother with snowshoes or skis, no matter how fun they might be, Yosemite is a hiker’s paradise in any season. And winter is the perfect time to enjoy the local
mountain biking trails.
Even when there are many feet of snow at the higher elevations of the park, lower elevation trails can be practically snow-free. Plus, the paved trails in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley are often plowed to make strolling through the valley more convenient. Take advantage of the extra warmth on trails on the sunnier side of Yosemite Valley like the loop through Cook’s Meadow, Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, or the lower half of Upper Yosemite Fall Hike to the lower lookout railing.
If even that is too snowy for your taste, drop down a few thousand feet into the Merced River canyon and enjoy a river-side hike on the
Merced Trail. Alternatively, Hite Cove is famous for late winter wildflowers and is a scenic trail overlooking the south fork of the Merced River best enjoyed in the cooler months. At these elevations, the air is warmer and there is rarely any lasting snow.
If you do encounter snow on your hike, make sure you keep some important winter hiking
tips in mind. With the right information and gear, you’ll be all set for a rewarding winter walk.
Mountain bikers will find excellent rides all winter long too. Check out the Stockton Creek Preserve Trail right in the town of Mariposa. (It’s a great hiking destination too.) Or go all in and explore the trails at Exchequer Mountain Bike Park. Exchequer devotes 700 acres of prime riding and great views of Lake McClure exclusively to mountain bikers of all skill levels.
To see the additional winter itinerary ideas, visit yosemite. com/5-days-of-fun-in-yosemites winter-season-build-your-ownitinerary/