Awesome winter trip suggestions in Yosemite?

[chris smead]

Last Nov I did a trip from the valley floor up to Yosemite Falls and then over toward eagle peak.
It was freezing cold, no crowds, no mosquitos and I loved every minute of it.

Are there any other Yosemite winter trips I should check out this year?
Any suggestions are welcome.

[chris smead]

Btw, I'm totally ok with having to use snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, etc. in fact it's preferred though I know Nov will likely be a bit early for that.

[Hiking Malto]

Hike or snowshoe out of Hetch Hetchy up to Tilden Lake and loop it. I believe it is about 45 miles and makes a great late season trip when Falls Creek is iced and snowed over. If you do it in November you will have to cross Falls creek near Wilma Lake. From what I read it is a less than waist deep slow crossing. (it was a raging swim when I last tried to cross it.). You can also shorten up the trip by looping at Wilma lake and there are even shorter options as well. This is a great area in he winter since they maintain the road to the dam.

[Ken Helwig]

if not Yosemite then Emigrant

[Katy Anderson]

This year there will hopefully be a lot more snow than last.
Anyhow, November there usually isn't much of the white stuff.
So if you want to do another hike starting from the Valley that is similar to the one you did last year, you could go up Snow Creek.
Steep hike up, but fab views of Half Dome all along the way. At the top of the switch backs is the best camp spot ever.

From here you can continue up to Mount Watkins

Then go back and continue towards North Dome

Then onwards towards the top of Yosemite Falls and down that way.

Edited to try to insert those images.

[chris smead]

Thanks guys! :)
The Tilden lake loop and snow creek route both sound very interesting.
Any idea of the mileage on the snow creek route you suggested?

[Katy Anderson]

The Snow Creek loop is about 20 miles if you include the off trail jaunt up Mount Watkins. Perfect weekend trip.
Check on water sources before you go as there really isn't much around North Dome.

[chris smead]

Thanks Katy!
Those pics look great. And yes good point about the water. I was on North dome a few years back during the summer and couldn't find water anywhere. All the streams were dry.

[Author]

Posts