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On Tue, Mar 19, 2024 at 10:20 AM, Tim Mulholland wrote:

My daughter (18) and I will be in Yosemite this coming weekend - that's the good news. The bad news is that the weather is looking pretty poor - rain and maybe some snow most of the time we'll be there (Sat - Mon). I've been to YOSE several?times and done the typical stuff in the valley. But, I'm trying to figure out what may be interesting and doable in poor weather. I'm hoping to have some opportunities for interesting photographs because of overcast skies. I'm also looking for things to do in YOSE and the valley that might not jump out at the typical tourist. We'll be prepared for hiking in inclement conditions. We're staying in Wawona. Tioga & Glacier Point Roads are closed, along with the road to Mariposa Grove (could we walk in??).

You have some great options.

You can park at the bottom of the Mariposa Grove Road and walk in.? It's about 2 miles to grove itself, on a comfortably graded road.? There's also a foot trail.? From the Google Maps overlays (see ) it looks like the lower grove has only a few inches of snow so that's easily do-able with boots.? The upper grove still has more snow: 3 to 5 feet.? The park service grooms the road up so you might be able to walk with boots, but snowshoes or skies would be a safer, and having them would let you go off the main road.? The upper grove is a superlative place in winter (and the lower grove is mighty nice too).? From the parking lot to the upper grove and back could well be a full day excursion.

You could go up to Badger Pass, rent snowshoes, and walk to Dewey Point on the rim of Yosemite Valley.? Another great walk.??

Both of these are high enough that it looks like the precipitation this weekend will be snow.? Not that much is forecast, so I doubt the roads will be closed.? You will need either tire chains or a 4WD vehicle with mud and snow tires.? ?

From Wawona, you could hike the Chilnualna Falls Trail.? It's on a south-facing slope most of the way and looks mostly snow free if you believe the Google Maps overlay.? Looks like you hit snow before the falls unfortunately.? The base is a little lower too: it might be rain instead of snow there.? To be honest, it's a pleasant hike, but not a great one.

In Yosemite Valley, don't be afraid of the familiar things.? People evaporate 10 minutes away from the roads and the valley won't be that full this time of year.? Do your JMT segment: it looks like the winter route isn't too snowy to Nevada Falls, although Clark Point may have some.? ?(The Mist Trail will be closed.)? Note there's an overlook on the connector between Clark Point and the top of Vernal Falls with the park's best view of that falls.? (You are above Vernal Falls at the time.)? The winter route gets you pretty close to the base of Nevada Falls.? Besides that, even the walk to Mirror Lake is nice.? Do the full loop that goes a mile or two farther back the canyon above Mirror Lake.? ?And even I, who live out here and visit every winter, stop in at the tunnel view and the "Gates of the Valley" turnout regularly.?

So lots of choices.? If it were me, I'd spend most of the time up in the snow.? ?More fun than cold rain.? But then I'm quite familiar with the valley and you may not be.? It is an amazing place.

Some photo galleries:
Mariposa Grove (and other things) 2023: ?
Dewey Point 2022: ?
Dewey Point 2020: ?
This year's trip (a little underwhelming): ?

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Jim Ringland

On Tue, Mar 19, 2024 at 10:20 AM, Tim Mulholland wrote:

My daughter (18) and I will be in Yosemite this coming weekend - that's the good news. The bad news is that the weather is looking pretty poor - rain and maybe some snow most of the time we'll be there (Sat - Mon). I've been to YOSE several?times and done the typical stuff in the valley. But, I'm trying to figure out what may be interesting and doable in poor weather. I'm hoping to have some opportunities for interesting photographs because of overcast skies. I'm also looking for things to do in YOSE and the valley that might not jump out at the typical tourist. We'll be prepared for hiking in inclement conditions. We're staying in Wawona. Tioga & Glacier Point Roads are closed, along with the road to Mariposa Grove (could we walk in??).

One more.? In the Valley, go part way up the Yosemite Falls Trail.? It starts at Camp 4, near the Lodge.? The views from Columbia Rock, about 1000 feet above the Valley floor, will give you a different perspective on the place than most folks get.? You can probably go higher, close to the base of the upper falls.? I suspect the narrow steep path leading to the top of the falls will be too snowy to hike, but you might take a look.? It is on the south facing wall of the Valley, but up top follows a narrow, sheltered defile that can collect snow.? Really nice if you can go all the way, but that's generally an excursion for later in the spring of for one of those snowless winters.? ?The 2022 trip I linked earlier shows the route up to and a little beyond Columbia Rock.??
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Jim Ringland