Yosemite snow shoeing 1-2 nights

[Mike Jones]

Looking to do a one to two night snow shoeing trip in Yosemite. Looking to sleep under the stars in the snow. Any suggestions for routes that would provide breathtaking views?

 

[balzaccom]

The whole North and South Rim of the Valley are now under a nice coating of snow. And there are plenty of views from Dewey Point or the top of Cap or Yosemite Falls.

 

[Dan_85]

Here's a couple I would consider if I had 2 nights. I've never snowshoe'd though, so I don't know if any extra considerations needs to be factored in with that in mind...

- Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is an awesome 2-nighter (requires a shuttle or hitching a ride back to the start), but probably better in Spring with the snow melt adding to the river and waterfalls.

- Ottoway Lakes via Illilouette Basin. Glacier Point road will be closed during winter so you can either start at Happy Isles, in The Valley or hike up to Glacier Point via the Four Mile Trail (strenuous climb, especially with packs) and start there.

- Merced Lake, either as a loop from Tuolumne Meadows via Cathedral Lakes and Vogelsang or as an out and back from either The Valley or Tenaya Lake.

High Sierra Topix forum should be able to offer some good suggestions too; http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/

 

[balzaccom]

Dan: Tioga road is closed and will probably stay closed through May or so...making the hike to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne way out of reach. And that's the same road that goes to Tuolumne Meadows....so I don't think those are reasonable options at all

And Happy Isles to Ottoway Lakes? That's gotta be at least forty miles round trip, in snowshoes, and with no visible trail? That's one hell of a two day trip....more like a week....

Glacier Point Road is usually closed at Badger Pass during the winter, so the closest you'll get is something like the Ostrander hut---but it doesn't have great views at all..

 

[Dan_85]

Dan: Tioga road is closed and will probably stay closed through May or so...making the hike to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne way out of reach. And that's the same road that goes to Tuolumne Meadows....so I don't think those are reasonable options at all

And Happy Isles to Ottoway Lakes? That's gotta be at least forty miles round trip, in snowshoes, and with no visible trail? That's one hell of a two day trip....more like a week....

Glacier Point Road is usually closed at Badger Pass during the winter, so the closest you'll get is something like the Ostrander hut---but it doesn't have great views at all..

I'm showing my lack of snowshoe knowledge Forgot about Tioga Road being closed too. Ignore me folks, nothing to see here! *tip-toes out of the topic*

 

[Mike Jones]

I made it to Yosemite! Here is my trip report!

 

[KevinD]

I made it to Yosemite! Here is my trip report!

Thanks for sharing! Glad you had a blast. Looks like the snow is a bit packed now finally!

We did something similar earlier in January and exited via pohono towards tunnel view. Was a blast!