Little Yosemite Valley in Snow

“Hello,

Found this website in a post on Usenet...very cool. Seems like a great group.

I'm so excited today, I had to post...

Went for 3 nights this weekend up to Little Yosemite Valley and the surrounding area with with an experienced winter mountaineering friend...had the time of my life. It was my first overnighter in the snow and it came DOWN on Sunday.

First time using snowshoes and all the fun gear that goes along with winter backpacking.

I dropped the film off this morning...should have some great shots.

The hike up the JMT in the snow is 5x harder that in summer time, but much more rewarding. Only saw a few other groups. Seeing fresh tracks on virgin snowfall was almost spiritual.

Can anyone recommend itineraries for other weekend trips like this in the Tahoe area? Should be getting up that way next month.

Thanks,

Loungesong”

“Sounds like you had a good time.”

“I bet Snow Nymph and Snow Dude have some helpful info, as well as Tekapo and a few others. That's their stomping grounds.”

“Check out tekapo's site. ”

“Wow! Tekapo's website is AMAZING. Great pictures and reverent descriptions.

Has me really interested in the SIerra Club Winter Mountaineering classes.”

“Just came back from a weekend at Mt Lassen... awesome place to winter camp / snowshoe, etc. Breathtaking scenery. Around Tahoe, Desolation Wilderness is a great spot, not very many people in winter. Closer to Tahoe or the ski slopes it's too crowded (unless you're going skiing, lol).”

“loungesong- If you can post your shots, it would be great to see them.

If you're up for it you may consider joining a me and another guy in July for a Yosemite outing. Nothing technical.

Our tentative thinking is attempt Mt. Dana one day, xcountry over to Mt. Gibbs, and more xcountry over to Mt. Lewis in a period of maybe 3 or 4 days. Might be too much, maybe not though. Haven't looked closely at a topo, but the idea is solid.”

“Big Coop- Thanks for the helping loungesong in that way. What a nice compliment.

Snow Nymph and Dude's web site offers a lot more trip ideas for you.”

“Thanks guys for using our website. Loungesong, some of my trips have trip reports under the thumbnails (underlined). Just click on it, sometimes you can get more info the trip report.”

“Loungesong, I wonder did you start out on Saturday hiking the Mist Trail towards Vernal Falls? I was up there helping lead a class of Fresno State Students on a hike. I saw a group of 3 or 4 guys headed up towards Little Yosemite Valley. I said hi, just wondering if it was your group? I was thinking about you guys on sunday as the streets in Fresno were flooding with heavy rains. It's good to hear that it went so well!

I'm Envyous!!!”

“Yes, that may be been us. A third guy was walking with us for awhile.

The weather was pretty gnarly on Sunday. Snowed like crazy, but I've never seen something so beautiful. Occasional heavy wind was a drag now and then. The snowshoeing was really fun, but really exhausing in the powder.

We were more worried about having to dig out the car at the trailhead...but it wasn't bad in the Valley.”

“Tekapo,

What that area like in July? I was hoping to do the JMT mid July, but it's probably not going to happen due to work schedule.

Might be up for your trip. Wha trailhead do you start at? What exact dates?”

“id love to go snowcamping. You guys ever seen the outward bound course with riding dogsleds and stuff”

“July is always crowded in Yosemite, if that is the area you were talking about. Last summer I hiked out in June on Fathers day, A little bit of snow, but not many people. If you can reserve a permit than you would be ok for July.”

“Hey Tekapo, that hike sounds like a good idea! When are we going?

I'm going to try out my new snowshoes this Saturday. Going for a day trip to the Mariposa Grove/Wawona Point area of Yosemite. Hopefully this warm weather hasn't melted the snow!
The Backcountry”

“Hey everybody, where's your manners...he said he found this site today...therefore he's a newbie....

Let me be the first to welcome you...Welcome aboard and happy BPking.”

“I just got here myself, welcome loungesong! Saw your entry in Tekapo's site and wondered back here again. I've checked out the site a few times in the past, but finally decided to make my presence known.

Had a chance to meet Tekapo last month when I went snowshoeing with him, wonderful guy.

Happy Hiking...”

“Welcome Hiking Mike...jeez, I guess everybody's still busy at work.”

“Thanks stanlee! My problem is (so to speak) I am at work. Hey it's Friday, I'm taking a day trip to Yosemite tomorrow...life is good!”

“Hikin' Mike- Great to see your post. Get the CDs yet? BTW, how'd your trip go?”

“loungesong-

The thinking is to start the third of fourth weekend of July, (start of 20th or 27th). The area is around Tioga pass, but I'm not sure of the trailhead. I'll look into that. Much of the trip I'd prefer to be crosscountry anyway. It's pretty safe to do that around Yosemite, I think.

The trip will be over an extended weekend. Maybe 4 days. Need enough time to recover from Dana to try Gibbs and Lewis. Might drop Lewis if we hafta.”

“I don't think so.

Try spring in LYV.
Just about the time the Tioga Road opens.

Merced is running high water, tourists haven't yet arrived.

The water is deep, swift, cold and washing huge logs down into the Emerald Pool.

The Silver Apron is one huge log sluce. Jump in and die.

Camp areas in LYV are relatively clean and uncrowded.

Peace is the order of the day.

You might even be able to find enough wood to have a tiny fire in the group fire pits near the five holer two story bathroom.

Hell, in early spring, the Park Service ediface to turds won't even stink!

The top of Nevada Falls is roaring, and the rock beach is bare of crowds.

Stand on the middle of the bridge and look down into tumultous white water infinity.

The Mist Trail is the Monsoon Trail.
See massive rainbows.
Wear raingear. For real.

Climb outside the fence at the top of Vernal and try to see if you can find the secret cave under the lip, hidden by the rush of water.

Snow ends up wet, sloppy, frozen and tedious.
Bah.

Freeze off your fanny one too many times up out of the Valley, your romantic attraction to backcountry snow and storms will diminish...

But then, again...
How OLD are you?

www.qnet.com/~sierramel/”

“Mel - you paint such a pleasant picture compared to the crowded dayhike I had up to Vernal in mid-July. It was almost like a Disney ride - then again I was just another one of the tourists.

Hidden cave! Sounds fun. But the other side of that fence at Vernal looked a little scary.

The Emerald pool was a tranquil and chilly dip and I did hop on the Silver Apron for a ride into the water.

Even though it was crowded, I loved my day in Yosemite and want to go back and backpack rather than sightsee the valley.”

“Tekapo, Didn't get the CDs yet. When did you send them? The "trailhead" to Mt. Dana starts across from the Tioga Pass entance station. The trail is not an official NPS trail, so you won't find it on most maps.

Mel, That cave sounds neat. Not sure I'd be up for checking it out though!

Big Coop, You picked one of the most popular hikes in the busiest time of the year! I do 99% of my backpacking in Yosemite. I'm certainly no expert or authority on what to do and where to go, but if you'd like to see some of the places I've been to check out The Backcountry.”

“If you can go in from the west side of the state, then do the Valley mid-April to the end of May.
Skip Memorial Day weekend - a ZOO!

The waterfalls are at their biggest up until mid-June - just stay away Friday through Sunday.
Once school gets out, forget the place.
Unless, of course you know how to stealth camp and how to avoid the crowds.
I do.
Never go in July or August unless you hike in from the east side of the park.
Then get out as fast as you can - after you spend one obligatory night in Backpackers.

Not Sunnyside (Camp 4).
That place is a sleazy climbers'
ghetto in the summer.

Then the other time (s) are after Labor Day.

The tourists have gone home, and T. W. Th. you can actually camp in the car campgrounds - if you get to the reservation office before 5AM, and stand in line unitl the place opens at 8AM to get a cancellation.

There's no water left in the main falls, but the place quiets down a lot and temps begin to cool a little.

If you wait until around mid-October, go when the leaves change.

The Valley is spectacular when the leaves go off.
It's a photographers paradise!
The colors are neon and gorgeous.

The Mist Trail is ablaze with red, yellow, and orange leaves.

Yep - Spring and Fall.

Best times to go see Yosemite.”

“Great posts Mel...Def have to hit up Yos. this spring...sounds awesome...”

“Thanks for the comments Mel & Mike. Our trip to Yosemite last Summer was part of a 9 day whirlwind tour of the state. I fell in love with the Sierras while we were there. I've always held a special place in my heart for the Blue Ridge Mtns where I grew up, but after the two days we spent at Yosemite I was only thinking of how I could get back at a less busy time and backpack for a while.

I have taken a look at both of your sites and found them a helpful way to keep in tune with Sierra hiking.

I look forward to getting back there someday.”

“wsdavies & Big Coop,
Be sure to drop me line if your ever in the Yosemite area. I live about 1.5 hours from the park, so I can get there pretty quick...especially in my "Hot Rod"!


Firebird at Tioga Pass”

“I guess it's too early! If this doesn't work...oh well!

Firebird at Tioga Pass”

“Those are some sweet rides Mike..I've always wanted a Dodge Charger, or a 68 Camaro, or maybe a 420 Boss Mustang..eheheheh”

“Thanks! I've always wanted...well too many to list here!!”