The winter snows of Yosemite offer fantastic recreational opportunities in the form of
skiing,
snowshoeing,
sledding, and
tubing. That said, those who prefer hiking boots to ski boots still generally have options this season for hoofing it on the trails. And the crisp temperatures are ideal for working up a sweat!
Winter hikers are perfectly poised in one of the
Scenic Wonders vacation cabins in Yosemite West: Some of the
best trails for snow-season trekking lie close at hand!
Tips
It’s always a good idea to check in at a visitor center or ranger station to inquire about the most current conditions. A hefty winter storm that really packs a punch can render even normally snow-free trails treacherous and tough-to-follow, so get updated before you set out.
Yosemite Valley
While it’s possible for trails on the floor of Yosemite Valley to be icy or occasionally snowy, they’re often clear and perfectly accessible during winter courtesy of the low elevation. And, truly, this time of year really does bring out some of the most exquisite views—snow-dusted conifers on the ridgelines, frosty tops to the looming domes, glazed-over waterfalls and cliff icicles.
Typically good options include the Valley Loop, Bridalveil Fall, and Lower Yosemite Fall trails.
Hetch Hetchy Valley
Hetch Hetchy Valley is drier and lower than Yosemite Valley, so you also normally find prime winter hiking opportunities here. Indeed, if you’ve only ever visited Hetch Hetchy on a blazing-hot summer afternoon, strolling through its majesty in the cool of February seems like bliss.
Try the 5.5-mile-round-trip route to
Wapama Falls, for example, which stays entirely below 4,000 feet.
Other Options
Depending on the severity of a given winter, numerous other trails in Yosemite may be snow-free or mostly so: the Wawona Meadow Loop, for example, and the
Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias.
Scenic Wonders Winter Hiking
The Scenic Wonders
vacation rentals at
Yosemite West are just a short drive from topnotch
winter hiking spots in Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy valleys as well as Wawona. Spend your days wandering crowd-free scenery of world-class caliber, and then return to a warm, cozy cottage in the pines. It doesn’t get any better! Book your little personal corner of paradise today.
The winter snows of Yosemite offer fantastic recreational opportunities in the form of skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and tubing. That said, those who prefer hiking boots to ski boots still generally have options this season for hoofing it on the trails. And the crisp temperatures are ideal for working up a sweat!
Winter hikers are perfectly poised in one of the Scenic Wonders vacation cabins in Yosemite West: Some of the best trails for snow-season trekking lie close at hand!
Tips
It’s always a good idea to check in at a visitor center or ranger station to inquire about the most current conditions. A hefty winter storm that really packs a punch can render even normally snow-free trails treacherous and tough-to-follow, so get updated before you set out.
Yosemite Valley
While it’s possible for trails on the floor of Yosemite Valley to be icy or occasionally snowy, they’re often clear and perfectly accessible during winter courtesy of the low elevation. And, truly, this time of year really does bring out some of the most exquisite views—snow-dusted conifers on the ridgelines, frosty tops to the looming domes, glazed-over waterfalls and cliff icicles.
Typically good options include the Valley Loop, Bridalveil Fall, and Lower Yosemite Fall trails.
Hetch Hetchy Valley
Hetch Hetchy Valley is drier and lower than Yosemite Valley, so you also normally find prime winter hiking opportunities here. Indeed, if you’ve only ever visited Hetch Hetchy on a blazing-hot summer afternoon, strolling through its majesty in the cool of February seems like bliss.
Try the 5.5-mile-round-trip route to Wapama Falls, for example, which stays entirely below 4,000 feet.
Other Options
Depending on the severity of a given winter, numerous other trails in Yosemite may be snow-free or mostly so: the Wawona Meadow Loop, for example, and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias.
Scenic Wonders Winter Hiking
The Scenic Wonders vacation rentals at Yosemite West are just a short drive from topnotch winter hiking spots in Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy valleys as well as Wawona. Spend your days wandering crowd-free scenery of world-class caliber, and then return to a warm, cozy cottage in the pines. It doesn’t get any better! Book your little personal corner of paradise today. 
