California Yosemite Winter Adventure Lodge Based Tour
Snow-Draped Peaks & Serene Trails
Yosemite in the winter is a sight to behold. It is a wonderland of brilliant white, iced granite peaks and snow-topped trees. Snowshoeing in this spectacular landscape—and doing it all during the park's lightest visitation period—is an intimate and magical experience. Top it off with cozy accommodations and the company of fellow adventurers, and you have a winter adventure for the books. Each day brings a new adventure and once-in-a-lifetime hiking opportunities led by our expert, local guides. Enjoy some of the valley's best hikes as we set out in search of the park's grandest waterfalls and granite icons. Winter is a magical time to explore the natural wonders of Yosemite. Retreat each evening to enjoy home-cooked meals, great company and the peace of a starry night sky. This adventure is the perfect winter escape for a hiker interested in experiencing a unique view of a much beloved national treasure.
Yosemite in the winter is a sight to behold. It is a wonderland of brilliant white, iced granite peaks and snow-topped trees. Snowshoeing in this spectacular landscape—and doing it all during the park's lightest visitation period—is an intimate and magical experience. Top it off with cozy accommodations and the company of fellow adventurers, and you have a winter adventure for the books. Each day brings a new adventure and once-in-a-lifetime hiking opportunities led by our expert, local guides. Enjoy some of the valley's best hikes as we set out in search of the park's grandest waterfalls and granite icons. Winter is a magical time to explore the natural wonders of Yosemite. Retreat each evening to enjoy home-cooked meals, great company and the peace of a starry night sky. This adventure is the perfect winter escape for a hiker interested in experiencing a unique view of a much beloved national treasure.
Meet in Fresno, California and snowshoe Old Glacier Point Road
Day 1
Meet your guides and fellow travelers at 9am in Fresno, California. En route to Yosemite National Park we stop for a picnic lunch and snowshoeing orientation. We trek on Old Glacier Point Road to take in the sweeping views of Yosemite, and the High Sierra. We enjoy a home-cooked meal at our private lodgings in Yosemite West. Lunch and dinner included.
Accommodation: Yosemite West Private Lodging
Activity: 2.5 miles snowhoeing with 600' elevation gain and loss
Transportation: 2.5 hours private van transfer
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Mirror Lake and along Tenaya Canyon with views of Half Dome
Day 2
This morning we circumnavigate the valley floor beneath the soaring granite walls of Tenaya Canyon. Beginning at the Ahwahnee Hotel, we hike to Mirror Lake on a trail sheltered by the cover of quiet woods. Mirror Lake offers a jaw-dropping view of Half Dome soaring 5,000' directly above us. Exploring in the spring months, we see that Mirror Lake has plenty of water and the reflections of the surrounding cliffs are excellent. Trips in the winter provide beautiful colors that create captivating reflections along Tenaya Creek. Our hike takes us to the very end of Tenaya Canyon, below Clouds Rest, where we gaze up at the steep granite walls around us. Returning to our lodgings, we relax and have dinner. All meals included.
Accommodation: Yosemite West Private Lodging
Activity: 6 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snowshoe to Dewey Point for epic Yosemite Valley views
Day 3
Starting at Badger Pass, we don snowshoes and trek to Dewey Point. As we tackle the gradual incline we learn about the many deciduous and coniferous trees that line the trail. We also keep an eye out for wildlife including black-tailed deer, Douglas squirrels, and snowshoe hares. Reaching Dewey Point we are rewarded with one of the best views of the Yosemite Valley. On a clear day, we have panoramic views of Clouds Rest, El Captain and Half Dome. Following a picnic lunch, we return to Badger Pass and transfer to our lodgings for the evening. All meals included.
Accommodation: Yosemite West Private Lodging
Activity: 7.5 miles snowshoeing with 700' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Yosemite Valley and hike to Yosemite Falls viewpoint
Day 4
After another healthy breakfast to start our day, we travel to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Enjoying the valley floor and the incredible views it provides, we make our way through the meadow to our trailhead. Today we hike to an observation point below the famous Yosemite Falls. During the winter, the lower portion of this trail is in direct sunlight on clear days, creating a pleasant journey along the trail's many switchbacks. Winter provides an opportunity to see Yosemite Falls in a unique setting, potentially with a frozen "snow cone" of ice at the base. After exploring the valley we make our way back to our accommodations for our final dinner together. Toasting to new friendships and an amazing adventure, we close out the night looking forward to our final day in this special place. All meals included.
Accommodation: Yosemite West Private Lodging
Activity: 5 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snowshoe or hike in Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, return to Fresno
Day 5
We load our luggage into the support vehicle before heading to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (6,128'), the largest and most impressive grove of giant sequoias in the park. We snowshoe or hike through the grove, which is home to more than 500 mature giant sequoias, and take time for a picnic lunch. Returning to the support vehicle, we bid farewell to Yosemite National Park and drive to Fresno, arriving later this afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included.
Activity: 5 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain and loss
MT Sobek has been exploring US National Parks for more than 50 years, placing a strong emphasis on responsible travel practices that protect the natural environment.
In five spectacular and well-paced days, you'll hike Yosemite's best trails and see the park's iconic sights - granite domes, plunging waterfalls, alpine meadows, and giant trees.
Hike with our top-notch local guides, who have expert knowledge of this remote and expansive mountain region. Plus, all logistics are covered.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Greg B.
Based in the mountains of Lake Tahoe, a setting where outdoor adventure comes with the territory, Javier loves nothing more than sharing the thrill and beauty of nature with others. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and enjoys leading backcountry snowboarding guiding clinics and spending his free time splitboarding in winters. Summers mean managing a camp retreat, exploring other corners of the world, and guiding guests to new experiences.
Preston H.
Preston grew up frolicking in the fields and forest of northwest Wisconsin before completing a B.S. in outdoor education, guiding and teaching in the remote wilderness everywhere from Arkansas to Hawaii. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder. He enjoys all kinds of outdoor adventure, whether running the Front Range trails or rollerblading near his home in Boulder, Colorado, surfing in Mexico, or climbing in Cuba.
Simon B.
From an early age, Simon began fostering a curiosity about what lies around the next bend. His passion for facilitating outdoor experiences began at the age of 15, when he guided river trips along the East Coast, to the northern reaches of Canada, and even into Mexico! Simon continued to share his love for the outdoors by leading trips for his university’s outdoor program. Over the past decade, Simon has been fostering a deep connection with the awe-inspiring national parks of the West. From the surprisingly lush oases that is Zion to the towering hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, the starkly beautiful Death Valley, and the striking walls and wildflowers of Yosemite, Simon has cultivated a wealth of knowledge to share.
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[ActivityHighlight] => Participants should be capable of snowshoeing or hiking up to 8 miles (up to 6 hours) each day without major discomfort while carrying a daypack that weighs 10-15 pounds. Snowshoeing is suitable for beginners but previous experience is recommended. Terrain may include some steep grades, several hundred uneven stone steps and areas of exposure to heights. Most excursions take place between 4,000-8,000\' in elevation.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. Participants should be capable of snowshoeing or hiking up to 8 miles (up to 6 hours) each day without major discomfort while carrying a daypack that weighs 10-15 pounds. Snowshoeing is suitable for beginners but previous experience is recommended. Terrain may include some steep grades, several hundred uneven stone steps and areas of exposure to heights. Most excursions take place between 4,000-8,000' in elevation. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 1
2.5 miles snowhoeing with 600' elevation gain and loss
Day 2
6 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain and loss
Day 3
7.5 miles snowshoeing with 700' elevation gain and loss
Day 4
5 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and loss
Day 5
5 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain and loss
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Comfortable lodge-style accommodation in a five-star alpine setting.
Each private vacation home features two bedrooms—typically, one room with two queen beds and another with one king bed—along with two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and laundry facilities. The living room and kitchen are shared spaces among all occupants of the home.
Weather
Expect cold days with temps in the 40s to 50s; morning and nighttime temps can drop into the 20s. Be prepared for snow and rain showers.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Dec
Yosemite National Park
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Yosemite National Park
49
28
52
30
57
33
48
28
FAQs
How should I train for my Yosemite hiking trip?
The best training for snowshoeing and hiking is hiking. Work up to hiking similar distances with your daypack loaded with the same weight you will be carrying each day during your trip.