Yosemite Winter Camping Trip

Enjoy Yosemite in the Winter with Bayside Adventure Sports!
February 2021 
Several reasons why we are host a Winter Camping Trip in Yosemite:
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• The beauty of Yosemite Valley is just as extraordinary but completely different than during Spring, Summer or Fall.  If we are blessed with snow while there, then it becomes a winter wonderland that is pristinely pure and picturesque.
  
  
• The crowds normally are super large in the Valley.  Not during the Winter months, though!  So it makes the winter visitor feel like they have the whole place to themselves! 
  
  
• Though many of the shops are closed during the winter, the bulk of the facilities are still open.  In Half Dome Village, the large Fireside Room will be our location relax and enjoy playing board games, reading, or just having some great conversations around the large fireplace that Yosemite stokes for its visitors.
  
  
• If there is enough snow for snowshoeing or cross country skiing, then by all means we will enjoy going on some easy day hikes around the Valley.​ 
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• To convince your friends to come... www.backpacker.com/skills/beginner/winter-camping/convince-your-friends-to-go-winter-camping/ (ok....maybe use other first four reasons above!) 
  
  ​Another useful link on winter camping: blog.nols.edu/2019/02/08/winter-camping

REGISTRATION COST FOR THOSE SNOW CAMPING: 
BAS Members: $80/adult, $35/youth (ages 5-17), 4 and under free
Non-Members: $95/adult, $42/youth (ages 5-17), 4 and under free   

REGISTRATION COST FOR THOSE STAYING ANYWHERE OTHER THAN SNOW CAMPING (Heated Tent Cabins or Hotels):  
50% off Snow Camping Pricing 
(You will need to make your own reservations for your accommodations - see below)

Help Yosemite be a Zero Landfill park! Leave excess packaging at home. Use refillable water bottles, food containers and travel mugs
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LODGING OPTION #1:
SNOW CAMPING!  The bulk of the group will be camping in the same campground that we normally camp in during the Summer, the Upper Pines Campground (see map).  This is basic car camping where all that is supplied is a table, a bear bin, and a fire pit for each campsite.  There are bathrooms available in the campground and showers are a 5 minute walk down in Half Dome Village.There is only room for two vehicles to be parked at each campsite - all others will be parked close by in overflow parking.

LODGING OPTION #2:
STAY IN A HEATED TENT CABIN IN HALF DOME VILLAGE  Some of our group will choose to stay in a Standard Heated Tent Cabin in Half Dome Village.  These are heated semi-permanent canvas tents built onto a wooden platform with options for sleeping 2 to 5 people.  A single light bulb and some very basic cabinets are found in these Tent Cabins. According to the website, rates start at $120-$160/night for a heated tent cabin and go up if you want nicer accommodations. You can find information and reservations at www.nationalparkreservations.com/lodge/yosemite-curry-village/rooms/   (you are responsible for your own accommodations and additional costs incurred for this option). For Meals while staying in a Tent Cabin, your options are to either take advantage of the Coffee Shop and Restaurant in Half Dome Village or use your own stove outside of the Tent Cabin on a picnic table nearby. 

 
LODGING OPTION #3:
STAY IN ONE OF THE LOCAL HOTELS OR EVEN THE MAJESTIC YOSEMITE HOTEL (formally known as the Ahwahnee Hotel)   Don’t want to rough it all all?  Find a local hotel and then join the group during the days and evenings for all the recreation possibilities.  Plan you food according to whatever hotel you find. Information at www.nationalparkreservations.com/park/yosemite-national-park/lodges/


INCLUDED:

• Campsite (for those who select Snow Camping)
• BAS Staff Leadership
• Guided Hikes and/or Snowshoe Excursions (some snowshoes available to borrow), including special hot drinks and snacks along the trail
• Evening Devotionals & Game Time designed to help connect the group

 
NOT INCLUDED: 

• Meals
• Transportation (There is a $35 per car National Park Entrance Fee to get into Yosemite National Park that is good for one week.  BAS cannot organize carpools but you can!  Just put a note on Meetup that you would like to carpool and connect with others.) 
•  Camping Equipment (some loaner equipment available - must request through Greg. See below for suggested packing list)
• See our Yosemite Winter Resources page for ideas on what is available in the park.

Register

WHAT TO BRING:

• Camping gear: (tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking gear, quarters for showers, etc.) Check the weather - prepare for cold weather camping! A “four season” tent is best – meaning it is strong enough and designed for winter camping.  Extra good insulation is important for padding under the sleeping bag – or better yet, put a cot in the tent with a pat on top of that.  Then of course a nice toasty-warm sleeping bag! 
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• Clothing: You will need great shoes that are designed for this – the best are something like the Sorel Caribou Boot.  They keep your feet warm while standing in snow for long periods of time.   Put a great pair of socks in these kinds of boots and you have happy feet all day long!  Last, plan for layers of warm, synthetic or wool clothing topped off by a great hat and scarf.  

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• Food: To keep this trip simple and inexpensive, all meals will be on your own. But it’s always fun to coordinate with others!
  Bring your Coleman Stove and create some great tasting breakfasts, lunches and dinners...or simply walk over to Half Dome Village or take the shuttle or bike to one of the other nearby dining options
  
  
• See REI's Winter Camping Checklist for other suggestions or stop by your neighborhood Any Mountain or REI and they would love to help you know how to be prepared.
  
  
• Pets and alcohol are not permitted on BAS events. ​​​​​
  


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​A current BAS Membership is required for discounted pricing. This annual fee helps offset our high insurance cost and helps keep most of our events free. For individuals it's only $49/year! Families are $99/year.) For more Information about membership and to join www.baysideadventuresports.com/membership. You also have to option to join on the camping registration form.

Questions? Email camping@baysideadventuresports.com

Cancellation Policy

Possible Schedule The Schedule for this trip is totally up to each person coming, but we will have a few gatherings planned.  Mornings are all about hot coffee and a great breakfast around a campfire.  We will have a fire started and coffee ready early at the Base Camp for those who want to join us there to make and eat breakfast.  At about 8:30am we’ll have a short devotional, pray for the day, and discuss optional plans.  Some may choose to eat breakfast over at one of the Yosemite restaurants.  In the evenings, you can make dinner at your own campsite, come make dinner at the base camp and eat together, or go out for dinner.  After dinner we will meet together in the evening in the Fireside Room or Lounge to play some Card or Board Games, talk, and enjoy some hot chocolate or other warm drinks. ​

Optional Activities or excursions we will consider for during the daytime include:
1.    Hiking up the Yosemite Falls Trail to the base of Upper Yosemite Falls.  This is a steep uphill climb that will get our hearts pumping.  If the weather is freezing or below, there will be a large “snow cone” at the base of the upper falls that is formed from the mist freezing and piling up as it falls from above.   With relaxing, snacks, photos, etc. this excursion easily lasts about 4 hours.  We’ll bring our lunch on the hike as well.  
2.    Mirror Lake Walk.  We can take the bus over towards Mirror Lake (or ride bicycles if weather is conducive) and walk around the 5 mile loop.  See www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mirrorlaketrail for details.  This is very flat trail that, depending again on snow cover, could take us about 3 hours to enjoy.
3.    Snowshoeing around the Valley.  If we are lucky enough to have lots of snow in the Valley, we recommend bringing snowshoes.  The Leader, Greg Weisman, will have several extra pair with him available on a first come, first serve basis.  Taking the normal hiking paths around Happy Isles, Bridal Veil Falls, Mirror Lake, the Meadows, etc. becomes a beautiful option that can last from 30 minutes to all day.
4.    Biking around the Valley.  Cycling around the Valley is always the best way to see it but this is entirely based on weather and road conditions.   Proper cold weather riding clothing will be a must!
5.    Ski or Snowboard at the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area (formerly known as Badger Pass). This would, of course, have costs for lift tickets, and rentals if people don’t bring their own equipment.