Yosemite Snowshoe
This seasonal winter trip is not available at this time. 4/21/2009
Winter is a fabulous time to visit Yosemite National Park. The crowds are gone, the wildlife is more prevalent, the lighting is spectacular, and the only sound you’ll hear is the falling snow. This snowshoe trip is perfect for the beginner or intermediate snowshoe enthusiast who wants to develop their skills and confidence in the backcountry with guided instruction and local knowledge of the terrain. This trip provides an opportunity to snowshoe through the trees, meadows and vistas of Yosemite before retiring to the warmth and comfort of the historic Wawona Hotel. On New Year’s trips only, enjoy a very special holiday dinner and dance, a distinct and memorable Wawona tradition. The Wawona does charge higher rates for rooms during this exclusive time period.
Yosemite Snowshoe Itinerary:
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Day 1
Your trip begins in Yosemite National Park, CA. Arrive at the hotel sometime after noon today. This evening plan on meeting the guides and the rest of the group. The guides will go over the weekend plans and make sure you have everything you need for the snowshoe outings. Dinner tonight is on your own.
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Day 2
Meet at 8:00am for breakfast in the Wawona Hotel. After breakfast we will carpool to the trailhead. Here we will have a lecture on equipment, snow travel, avalanche awareness and rescue. We will spend the afternoon on an easy snowshoe tour before retiring to the lodge for an evening of informal lectures and hearty food. Breakfast and lunch provided. Dinner is on your own, except on New Year’s departures, where a special holiday dinner and dance event is included.
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Day 3
After breakfast we again venture out into the backcountry of Yosemite National Park with a goal of snowshoeing to a destination with spectacular vistas. We’ll arrive back to the trailhead by 4:00pm. Breakfast and lunch provided.
Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.
If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a very limited number of single rooms available on most departures.
Professional instruction and guiding; two nights lodging in the historic Wawona Hotel; snowshoes and snowshoe poles; evening lecture/slide show, meals as noted on daily itinerary; group first aid kit. Holiday dinner & dance on Day 2 is provided on New Year’s departures only.
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; dinners; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Closest Airport(s): Fresno 60 miles, Oakland 180 miles, or San Francisco 200 miles.
There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to the Wawona Lodge. If you are flying in for this trip, plan on renting a car. Be aware that Yosemite National Park requires that all vehicles entering the park in winter carry tire chains and, under certain winter driving conditions, will require that drivers use tire chains. This may pose a challenge for those driving rental vehicles.
This trip is rated Moderate (3). Participants will be carrying their own day packs over varied terrain through the snow. Trip members need to in good physical condition.
Winter-time temperatures usually range between the low 20’s to the high 40’s F. It is important to be prepared for all types of winter weather conditions including winter travel conditions as you drive to the park. Park roads are maintained but it is required that you carry chains in your car while you are traveling in the park.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Yosemite Snowshoe
Weather
Gear Checklist
- Snowshoes
- Snowshoe poles
- Waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight waterproof and breathable (REI Elements or Goretex)
- Midweight fleece jacket (such as Polartec 200) or wool sweater
- Two mid- or lightweight thermal top and bottom made of synthetic (such as REI MTS) or wool
- Fleece or wool pants or tights
- Down jacket or vest – optional
- Hiking or ski socks, made of wool or synthetic
- Sock liners-synthetic/wool liners- optional
- Wool or fleece hat
- Ski gloves
- Lightweight glove liners of wool or synthetic
- Gaiters-they greatly help to keep snow out of your boots
- Insulated hiking boots: heavy duty, waterproof, and well broken-in. Sorel-type boots do work- REI sales specialists can give great recommendations on snowshoe boots to keep your feet warm and dry
- Two 1-quart water Nalgene bottles
- Day pack – with enough room for your extra clothes, water and personal items
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Personal medications
- Personal first aid kit, small and light with personal medication
- Pocket knife or small multi-tool
- Camera and film
- Hand and toe warmers- lightweight, disposable
- Binoculars
