Tioga Pass in Yosemite NP is usually closed in early October due to snow. I went day hiking in Yosemite Valley (12/16/2011) and found that the pass was still open! We drove over the pass on the way back to Los Angeles and found that Tenaya Lake has frozen over (the entire lake). There were kids playing hockey and a lot of people just sliding around on the surface. I am sure that it freezes over every year but the lake is pretty much inaccessible during the winter. Also, the ice was extremely clear and about 6-8 inches thick with air bubble frozen in flight. For most of you this may be common but to a California Native it is pretty cool.
