Carry both sun and rain/snow protection.Wear or carry a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves, warm jacket, and raingear (both jacket & pants).
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Be sure that you have breathable layers, including a waterproof lightweight jacket, a mid-layer long sleeve shirt for both sun coverage and warmth, and a baselayer such as a tank or t-shirt for when it gets hot. Opt for sports fabric over cotton. Jeans or denim of any sort are not recommended.
All of the incredible and iconic viewpoints in Yosemite Valley are open year-round. After the first storms of the season, the waterfalls reappear and begin flowing again, and if you're lucky enough to be there during a cold snap, you might even have a chance to see Frazil Ice.
The cool season lasts for 3.1 months, from November 21 to February 25, with an average daily high temperature below 61°F. The coldest month of the year in Yosemite Lakes is December, with an average low of 38°F and high of 54°F.
Waterproof hiking shoes and boots are necessary for hikes during spring and winter when trails are wet and snowy. All Season Hiking Clothes: Dressing in layers is always suggested when planning an outing in Yosemite.
A sturdy pair of hiking boots or runners will protect your feet and ensure maximum comfort while you're exploring on foot. Try to bring a pair of boots that support your ankle and have decent grip to prevent slips and trips. If you're buying new boots, make sure you break them in before you go.
Stay away from river and creek banks during high water conditions and avoid rock hopping. Stream polished rocks along the water's edge may be slippery when wet or dry. If you choose to cross a stream without a bridge, avoid deep and/or swift water.
Typically six nights a year drop as low as 20 °F. But the cold is rarely severe, as only about once a decade is a temperature of 10 °F (-12 °C) or less recorded here. Despite frequent frosty nights, it almost always thaws out here during the day. On average just one day a year at Yosemite stays below freezing.
No matter which season you are planning to visit Yosemite, layers will be important. During the spring, summer, or fall, we recommend wearing a base of shorts and a tank top or t-shirt then layering from there. Cargo pants that have removable sections are great.
May through September is the most popular time in YosemiteThese months correspond with the best weather and are also when all the roads, trails, lodging, shuttles and attractions in the park are open. That includes its most famous drive, Tioga Rd, a 64-mile-long scenic byway that closes when the snow begins to fall.
In Yosemite Village, in the valley of the same name and at 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) of altitude, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 2.7 °C (36.8 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.9 °C (73.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Yosemite is very busy this summer!Any time spring through fall, one- to four-hour delays are possible at entrance stations. It's best to arrive by 8 am or in the afternoon to avoid delays.
All vehicles entering Yosemite National Park during winter conditions must carry snow chains. Call (209) 372-0200, 1, 1, for the most up-to-date road info. See Tire Chains below for more information.
So, where are the bears now? Most of them are hibernating, but not all! This is turning out to be one of those late hibernation years for some bears. We have observed several bears continuing to forage on this year's plentiful black and live oak acorns at lower elevations throughout December.
Winter climbing can be found below Yosemite Valley at lower elevations. Shorter sunny crags like Arch Rock, Cookie Cliff and Pat and Jacks rarely get any lingering snow. Spring captures the sweet moments when the snow has melted, the cracks have mostly dried, and the temperatures are still cool in Yosemite Valley.