This is a great way to see areas of the park that are closed to cars and only accessible by cross country skis or snowshoes. Winter in Yosemite is snowy and cold, though sunny and chilly days are not uncommon. Yosemite Area Regional Transportation (YARTS) provides access to Yosemite Valley on a fixed schedule along several convenient routes. Daytime temperatures usually reach 4°C in Yosemite in December, falling to -8°C at night. The climate of Yosemite National Park in december is very bad the weather in Yosemite National Park in december is relatively wet (with 6.5in of precipitation over 10 days). 43-year-old man killed after getting hit by vehicle on Thursday night. Winter Events at Yosemite . You can also camp in the wilderness in the winter; as in the summer, a wilderness permit is required - see the park service's winter wilderness page for more details. The snow in Yosemite is a double-edged sword, making it beautiful, but also closing many of the roads. Winter in Yosemite is snowy and cold, though sunny and chilly days are not uncommon. Get the monthly weather forecast for Yosemite National Park, CA, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. In some areas, the park may have prescribed fires to mimic natural fires to promote forest health and reduce the risk of larger fires as conditions allow. Yosemite may be very busy during winter holidays, especially in late December and early January, with traffic congestion and limited parking possible. Early mornings will be chilly, so be prepared with hats, gloves and warm layers. Plan on starting your hike around 7 or 8, and make sure you can finish it within 6-8 hours due to the shorter days of winter. Summer is the busiest time of the year, and spring and fall are also bustling—although not nearly as busy as summer. Make sure you catch sunrise or sunset from Tunnel View, just outside the Valley. CAMPING-BASED HIKING PACKAGES: camping-based hiking packages provide all-around hiking experiences of Yosemite on wonderful outdoor vacations. Many of the lower trails in the Valley, such as Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake, Lower Yosemite Falls and the Vernal Falls footbridge on the Mist Trail stay open through the winter. To get an idea of what the monthly average highs, lows, and rainfall are, use our guide to Yosemite weather. While there are many trails that are closed for the winter, there are plenty that are still accessible. (2:53). The average temperature in Yosemite Valley and Wawona in December is a high of 47, and a low of 28 degrees Fahrenheit (8/-2 degrees Celsius). Wildland Trekking offers trips with the best of Yosemite: waterfalls, views, wildlife, solitude, adventure and fascinating natural and cultural interpretation. Yosemite’s Chefs' Holidays at the Ahwahnee, held each year in January and February, feature some of the country's most innovative and acclaimed chefs. The beauty and majesty of snow in the Valley makes the park very photography-friendly. Here is a selection of travel guides for Yosemite NP: Image copyright: Flickr CC 2.0 William Headings. All that and more is what makes Yosemite one of the most iconic destinations in the USA. Re: Yosemite in December. Highway 140 that runs through the Valley is open year-round, but may have snow chain restrictions. Yosemite may be very busy during winter holidays, especially in late December and early January, with traffic congestion and limited parking possible. Winter is a magical time to visit Yosemite, with opportunities for hiking, playing in the snow, and quiet solitude. Tire chains are often required on park roads. At 4,000 feet in the Yosemite Valley, park temperatures can fluctuate 30 degrees in one day, going from 51 F during the night to 87 F during the day. Tire chains are often required on park roads. Guided Yosemite treks are all-inclusive which covers permits; local transportation (excluded on certain tours); meals; equipment; safety systems and professional hiking/wilderness guides; all of which allows visitors to maximize their time in Yosemite and focus entirely on enjoying the Park. The other main benefit to visiting in December is the beauty of the snow falling covering the domes of the Valley or the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove. Visiting Yosemite National Park in winter means picturesque snow-topped peaks, glistening frozen lakes and plenty of activities to enjoy before heading inside to relax by a roaring fire (not to mention cheaper rates and fewer crowds). You can get up-to-the-minute updates on our Yosemite Road Conditions page here.. Also, visit our Winter FAQs page to learn about what’s open and the best ways to get around Yosemite in the winter. Weather. How sunny is it in Yosemite in December? GUIDED BACKPACKING ADVENTURES: these are for people interested in an authentic Yosemite hiking adventure away from the roads and crowds. Another great winter hike is the short trail to Lower Yosemite Fall (easy: 1 mile, 30 minutes round trip). The cables for Half Dome are taken off at the end of October. There probably won't be snow, and if there is it will be a light layer. You'll love it! While most visitors come during the summer months, winter is a special time of year in Yosemite National Park. As the day winds down, head to the iconic Curry Village Ice Rink (shuttle … Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, All Content & Photos Copyrighted by WTC © 2021, Current Operating Guidelines & New Booking Terms →. (Permits obtained at Badger Pass are only valid for Glacier Point Road trailheads.) It is truly a winter wonderland. We are planning to visit Yosemite during the Christmas period for 2 days. There is nothing like watching snow blanket the granite domes and lodgepole pines. Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 53°F (12°C) / 28°F (-2°C). Whether you’re driving or taking a tour bus, it’s a smart idea to check the road conditions. The trail may be snowy or icy (skis or snowshoes may be appropriate). Winter is a season of peace and quiet. There probably won't be snow, and if there is it will be a light layer. It will get warmer throughout the day, so bring a daypack where you can put your layers as you take them off. Glacier Point Road will be groomed from Badger Pass to Bridalveil Creek Campground, but not all the way to Glacier Point. The other two are the Wawona Campground, near the Wawona Hotel in southern Yosemite, and Hodgdon Meadow Campground, near the Big Oak Flat entrance (Yosemite's northwest entrance) on Highway 120. Those planning overnight ski or snowshoe trips must get a self-registration wilderness permit on the porch of the Badger Pass Ranger Station. Winter is a magical time in Yosemite National Park. During the winter months, this is limited to stops along Highway 140 including stops in Merced, Catheys Valley, Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal and Yosemite … Answer 1 of 12: This would be my first time travelling to Yosemite, and would be in Mid-December. The silence and beauty of Yosemite in winter is an unforgettable experience. If you do the visit, yosemite valley is the section of the park you will focus your visit on, in all likelihood. Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! Yosemite National Park in December is a paradise for anyone who likes winter scenery and/or winter sports! Special winter dinner events at the Ahwahnee and Wawona hotels include Renaissance-style Bracebridge dinners in mid-December, a special Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, and a New Year celebration. INN-BASED PACKAGES: these tours are all-inclusive packages with lodging, amazing daily hikes, expert guides, meals, transportation and more! Be sure to pack light layers for daytime and others that will keep you warm in the evenings, including a winter hat, when the sun sets and cooler air moves in. Mariposa Grove Road usually opens by sometime in April, allowing for access to vehicles displaying a disability placard, with free shuttle service between the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza (near South Entrance) and the Mariposa Grove. Ice Skating. A unique experience in Yosemite at the end of December is cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding or snowshoeing at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. A season of snow & solitude. A unique experience in Yosemite at the end of December is cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding or snowshoeing at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. Badger Pass Ski Area concessions, including downhill and Nordic rentals, will not be available during the 2020–2021 winter season. November is a great time to visit Yosemite National Park with the crowds gone and mostly pleasant temperatures. A moderate to difficult trail hike of just over seven miles provides you with great views of the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and Upper Yosemite Fall. When the road is closed, the Washburn Trail provides a two-mile route (500 feet of elevation gain) to the Mariposa Grove. When they are, you must carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving. Given the amount of time you'll have, as well as the time of year, the Valley is your best bet. Yosemite Conservancy offers some fun winter programs that may include a full moon snowshoe hike or winter photography. Winter in Yosemite it typically cold and snowy, although sunny and warm days are not too uncommon. weather in december. And, the low lighting in winter makes for great photography. Visiting the park in December has wonderful benefits, as well as some drawbacks. Even though it is cold out, make sure you are still drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Re: Yosemite in December. Mariposa Grove Road is also closed in December, although you can park your car at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and walk the two-mile Washburn Trail to the grove. (Last Updated On: November 25, 2020) If you are visiting for the first time, you are probably wondering what to do and where to stay in Yosemite National Park in Winter.Winter is definitely a different time in the park because a lot of things are closed, but I can tell you December, January, and February are actually a fantastic time to visit. . How about a travel guide, so as not to miss any highlights in Yosemite National Park, California? Don't forget read our quick tips for your winter visit below the November/December section. While Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, the Tioga Road is closed (usually by sometime in November). (December through March) On average, it snows 7 days in December. Yosemite Day Trip Itinerary - Lodging 07 December 2020 Beware "National Park Reservations" - this site is a SCAM 06 December 2020 Yosemite Determining How Stay-At-Home Order Impacts Park 06 December … Before You Go to Yosemite. You can read NPS’ current conditions before heading out for the day. The biggest benefit to visiting Yosemite in December is the lack of crowds. The average temperature in Yosemite Valley and Wawona in December is a high of 47, and a low of 28 degrees Fahrenheit (8/-2 degrees Celsius). Simply put, most any traveler who spends time in Yosemite during the winter months spends the rest of the year dreaming about returning. On average, it snows 7 days in December. Visitors with their own skis or snowshoes can drive to Badger Pass and go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Learn what to expect when visiting Yosemite National Park in December. Ask anyone who's been to Yosemite National Park in the winter if they could imagine a place with more stunning beauty, greater solitude, more things to do—or a better way to spend their winter vacation—and we’re confident they'll tell you no. But, trails that take you higher in elevation, like Upper Yosemite Falls and 4-mile Trail are closed. However from mid-December though early April, the Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road is plowed to the Badger Pass Ski Area, where both downhill and cross-country skiing are popular. Yosemite is amazing in the winter and so beautiful and there’s much more to see than the trees, which are amazing, of course. All facilities and services at Badger Pass will be closed. December is a great time to explore Yosemite without the crowds. Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area opens for the season on December 20th, and closes March 31st. Just have a few questions and was wondering if anyone could help? If you can make it to Yosemite in December, you will have an amazing trip, and leave with an appreciation for the snow and solitude of winter in the park. Ski huts at Glacier Point, Ostrander, Snow Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows will be closed. As conditions allow, Badger Pass Road will be open from approximately mid-December through March. The road to Glacier Point is also closed (usually sometime in November). December is a great time to explore Yosemite without the crowds. Water levels tend to be low, but once some snow and rain have fallen, Yosemite Falls begins flowing again (though not at springtime levels). Winter in Yosemite it typically cold and snowy, although sunny and warm days are not too uncommon. Chains will completely depend on the current road conditions, so take a look at CalTrans info before you go. 1. 4025 East Huntington, Suite 150 In December it gets a little colder but it's still worth visiting. It’d be a pity to go all the way there and not stay for a bit. Yosemite Valley weather is seldom unbearably warm or cold. Answer 1 of 14: Hi! DAY HIKE TOURS: maximize your day in Yosemite on a fully guided, award-winning hiking tour on one of the Park’s best trails. Most of the park is covered in snow during winter, but some trails in Yosemite Valley are often accessible. Summer is typically free from precipitation. Are you planning a holiday with hopefully nice weather in Yosemite National Park in December 2020? Backpacking options are very limited. It should be noted a worsening from the previous month since in november there is an average of 4.6in of rainfall over 7 days. Portable toilets will be available. From December through April, backpacking in Yosemite nearly always involves snow camping and travel by skis or snowshoes. The biggest drawback to visiting in December is the closures of Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically closing in November, and opening in late-May. If you do the visit, yosemite valley is the section of the park you will focus your visit on, in all likelihood. There are normally 6 hours of bright sunshine each day in Yosemite in December - that's 62% of daylight hours . Once closed for the season, vehicles are not permitted between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass, including in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Even in November and May, if you want to avoid snow, you're likely to be limited to trailheads in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy , and, even then, you'll have a difficult time finding multi-night, snow-free trips. When they are, you must carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving. However, Hetch Hetchy and Wawona remain open all year, and their trails will be snow-covered, but they will be open. Also, there are great hiking options in the Valley, Hetch Hetchy, Wawona and Mariposa Grove. Hazy or smoky conditions may occur even during winter. Visiting the Ansel Adams Gallery or the Yosemite Museum, both by the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, are great options if the weather prevents you from spending time outside. Yosemite National Park is home to some of the most epic and amazing hiking vacations in the world. Winter is snow season especially in the high mountains, and it may rain in late fall or early spring. There are a plethora of winter activities at Yosemite National Park from cross-country skiing to ice skating to everything mentioned above, so you will definitely keep occupied and enjoy your visit to Yosemite in December (or any other winter month!). Days are shorter but the sun still shines for 6 hours each day on average. The trail is wheel-chair accessible, pet friendly, and great for visitors of all ages! PORTERED TRIPS: on these innovative trips, guests hike with light day packs and camp near in stunning backcountry locations. MODESTO, CA, (December 17, 2020) - A 43-year-old male pedestrian was fatally struck by an SUV on Modesto’s Yosemite Boulevard Thursday night, Modesto Police Department says. Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 53°F (12°C) / 28°F (-2°C) Fire & Smoke The Yosemite Falls Trail is open all year long — including December 31 — which makes it an ideal trail to include on your route through the park. where both downhill and cross-country skiing are popular. The beauty and majesty of snow in the Valley makes the park very photography-friendly. Explore Yosemite with Award Winning Guides. There are 12.5 inches of snow on average and temperatures can be anywhere from lows of 27°F to highs of 47°F. Given the amount of time you'll have, as well as the time of year, the Valley is your best bet. We will be at Mariposa and will take the YARTs in. Are you planning a holiday with hopefully nice weather in Yosemite is a magical time in Yosemite snowy! 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