Yosemite Almost Winter Car Camp

This is a great time to visit Yosemite Valley. The large crowds are gone and peace and quiet have returned. Officially, it's not quite winter but conditions may say otherwise.

We plan to tent-camp in Upper Pines campground and have room for 6 people in each of 3 adjacent campsites.

Although this is a 4 day event, you can stay as long or as short as you want. When signing up, please designate which nights you plan on attending and any guests.

The cost is $6 per person, per night, payable at the campsite.
You also have the option of staying in a Curry Village HEATED Tent Cabin. The cost for Friday and Saturday nights (both nights) is $90 per person, w/ 3 people. Includes hot showers and bedding. UNHEATED tent cabin is $75 for BOTH nights w/ 3 people.
This is an all inclusive, nondiscriminatory event.

After unloading at the campsite, you'll park in the overflow lot nearby. If you plan on sleeping in your car, you may be able to park at the campsite. Just let me know when you sign up.

Activities will be completely dependent on snow cover. In the past, there has been anywhere from no snow to 18 inches on the Valley floor. Temperatures average around 28°F - 50°F (-2°C - 10°C). Check on the weather forecast here:
[https://bit.ly/3x4cHiO ](https://bit.ly/3x4cHiO)(weather.com)
https://tinyurl.com/cn6vce87 (weather.gov)

If needed, we will clear snow for tent sites and provide tarp shelter in case of heavy rain or snow.

A partial list of possible endeavors:

• Mirror Lake Loop - 5mi, 200ft el. gain, easy to moderate.
• Valley Loop Trail - 6.5mi, flat, easy.
• Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trail, out & back, (winter route) 7 mi, 2200ft el. gain, moderate to strenuous.
• Yosemite Falls Trail, out & back, 7.2mi, 2700ft el. gain, moderate to strenuous.
• Columbia Rock via Upper Yosemite Falls trail, out & back, 3 miles 1000ft el. gain, moderate.
• Depending on snow cover, there may also be hiking options available on the South Rim. (Taft Point, Dewey Point, Sentinel Dome)

For participants who want easier hikes:

• Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, loop, 1mi, 50ft el. gain, easy
• Cook's Meadow Loop, 1mi, flat, easy
• Sightseeing loop - 1 - 5 mi, mostly flat. We'll see Indian Caves, Indian Village, cemetery, museum, Superintendent's house, Yosemite Chapel, explore the Ahwahnee Hotel.
• Happy Isles, 1 mile, flat, easy.

Everyone is free to join an organized hike or activity or do their own thing.

Our usual non-hiking activities include ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and possibly, downhill skiing. These activities are dependent on snow cover.

Yosemite Valley Shuttle availability for December will be updated later.
The Glacier Point Ski Hut and Snow Creek Cabin availability will be updated for the 2023 - 2024 season. Badger Pass Ski Area availability will be updated. The Ice Skating Rink availability will be updated.

We plan to meet at the Ahwahnee Hotel for cocktails/refreshments one evening.

Regarding dining options, Degnan's Deli, Basecamp Eatery, The Mountain House Lounge and The Ahwahnee Dining Room and Bar are expected to be open.

The Yosemite Village Store is expected to be open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. The Ahwahnee Gift Shop and Lodge Gift Shop are expected to be open.
Cell service is spotty at the campsite but generally reliable at the Village. Wi-Fi should be available at the Village and library only.

ATTN: This is a camping event at a national park with the meeting point at the Park's campground. Attendees are supposed to make their own transportation to the Park's campground. If you need a carpool or seek to share a rental car - feel free to post in comments about that.

Photo Album from our 2021 winter camping at Upper Pines:
Firetail watching: https://www.meetup.com/superfab/photos/33481846/
December campout: https://www.meetup.com/superfab/photos/33479496/