California - Yosemite in November

I am wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with going to Yosemite in November. My wife and I are taking our kids (5 and 3) there for a couple of days during the second week. We are staying at the Yosemite Lodge and just hope to take in some of the main sites while doing some light hiking. Is there anything unique to see at this time of the year? I realize it can be hit or miss with snow at that time but we are taking the risk.

I've done Yosemite in just about every season and personally find early winter to be great. That said it's a different ride...

You should be able to access a number of easier hikes including most of the major ones in the valley which are more maintained but even then the danger factor goes up dramatically as you get slippery rocks, roads and the very real potential of being caught in a storm with few people around. If it does storm or start snowing you'll find they close down a few especially slippery routes but really it's the outdoors and most places stay open, but without the benefit of anyone keeping them up or patrolling them.

The rescue climber in me would advise you to pack accordingly... That means always taking extra food & water, ponchos, waterproof clothing, waterproof matches, first aid & survival blankets anywhere you go. Most people consider this a bit crazy but I've wandered around without seeing anyone else most of the day in the winter... 5lbs of gear is well worth it.

In terms of general tips...

- Official winter info: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/winter.htm

- Even coming from Boston, expect it to be colder than you're use to. The Lodge is heated but with so much open space, wind chill, and the damp weather it adds up unlike any city climate.

- Remember that while you're at a hotel, there's limited food choices in the area [think real formal and real casual with a market that has to import everything in the middle]. Curry Village offers a few other choices, the main Village has a Deli and Grill which may be open but everything will close early.

- Tioga pass will be closed so you have to come in via Mariposa (SFO) or Oakhurst (LAX)

- Glacier Point closes in Nov most years. Visit it if it's open... 30 minute drive each way but a great view for someone not hiking the big mountains.

- During snow the lines to enter the park back way up for chain controls. Check with your rental company on getting chains included, bring cash for someone to put them on if you prefer... I'm forecasting an early snow but technically this shouldn't be an issue.

- Water flows have been amazing this year [Yosemite falls was running last week when I was out] but generally they are dry this time of year. Still lots to see.

- If it snows visit the ahwahnee. There's nothing like that place in the dead of winter.

- Take advantage of the fireside events and guided tours that are done this time of year. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_WinterActivities.aspx

- Have a blast. :D

I've never been in November. I've been in October and in the winter. It's gorgeous in any season. Definitely find out about chains. It's a bit early for chain control, but it could happen. I bought chains when I lived in San Anselmo and they are fairly easy to put on. (I'm female.) You'll have a great time.

As the previous poster said, food may be iffy. It's been better more recently, but it's not all that good. Last time I went, I stopped at Trader Joe's and bought food to take with me. You may want to get sandwich stuff and a cooler (I bought a styrofoam one). At the Lodge, you can take food into your room.

I thought all those bear warnings were bogus until I saw one the last time I was there. Just as glad I used the bear box while I was in Curry Village.

I thought all those bear warnings were bogus until I saw one the last time I was there. Just as glad I used the bear box while I was in Curry Village.

Very real and very much required even in winter.

Bears have been known to turn cars into swiss cheese (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeM5_TsmTLs), even go after empty coolers based on the familiarity with the look [yogi bear anyone :D]

And of course the $5,000 fine if a bear does break into your car and you're found to have left food in it is pretty much the icing on the cake to move things 15 feet into a locker.

Yosemite Valley is a bit under 5,000', so not terribly high, but it is in mountains. Weather.com gives average temp in Yosemite for November as 57 high, 37 low. As long as you have jackets, sweaters, etc. you should be just fine. You're not camping, so nighttime lows shouldn't be problematic. Some waterfalls, such as Yosemite Falls, will be dry, and trees will likely be bare, but crowds should be fairly low (I assume you're not going over Thanksgiving). You can find info on hikes on the park's Web site and can get detailed info at the Visitors Center in Yosemite Village upon arrival. What hikes might be appropriate for you depends, of course, on your ability, time, etc. Driving to Glacier Point is a good suggestion. Even if it's closed by snow you should be able to drive to Wawona and the Mariposa Grove (redwoods). Tioga Pass will probably be closed but you may still be able to drive part way up, to White Wolf, or even Tenaya Lake.

Bears do hibernate in the winter, but living in proximity to people and ready supplies of food (some tourists insist on feeding them, even despite warnings posted everywhere; this is very dangerous, unhealthful to the bears and encourages habits that can lead to run-ins with people and their cars, tents, etc.), could throw off their natural habits.

I love Yosemite, Have a great time.

Thank you for all of the information. We are driving from SJC in a rental car. I knew from when I reserved the rooms that we are required to have chains with us when we enter the park. I was thinking of finding a Walmart or Sears somewhere along the way to get them.

The best I am hoping for is to drive to different spots and do 1 or 2 mile hikes. Are there any good spots the shuttle bus does not take you to? I saw a bear when from the car when I went as a kid in the late 80's, I hope my kids get the same experience.


We are not doing any camping so all we will have is snacks for the kids which I will be sure to bring inside the hotel with me. I was hoping to have dinner at the Ahwahnee one of the 2 nights there.

Thanks again

The best I am hoping for is to drive to different spots and do 1 or 2 mile hikes. Are there any good spots the shuttle bus does not take you to? I saw a bear when from the car when I went as a kid in the late 80's, I hope my kids get the same experience.

The Valley is a small, small part of the park so yes, lots of great hikes that you need a car for but if you're doing something in the main valley the shuttles will cover you for most spots.

If you want something less crowded [not that crowds should be an issue that time of year], try on the drive down from the valley or back out.

And check for chains before you drive up. They very well may not be needed.

The best I am hoping for is to drive to different spots and do 1 or 2 mile hikes. Are there any good spots the shuttle bus does not take you to?

The valley shuttle does not serve the west end of the valley loop. Bridalveil Falls, just outside the loop, is definitely worth visiting. It's a 1/2 mile round trip walk, paved, with a small ascent on the way in. There are also many quiet spots in the western part of the loop worth visiting. One of the great things about visiting Yosemite in the off season is that there are few visitors, so you can drive yourself around without facing jams on the roads or in the parking lots.

Be aware this is a "La Niña" year, and the snow already blocked highways in early October. Expect weather to be variable, possibly a significantly colder winter than normal.

Thank you for all of the information. We are driving from SJC in a rental car. I knew from when I reserved the rooms that we are required to have chains with us when we enter the park. I was thinking of finding a Walmart or Sears somewhere along the way to get them.


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Where did you read you are required to have chains to enter the park?? I doubt that. It wasn't true when I drove there in the winter a few years ago. The Highway Patrol, outside the park, and Park Service, inside the park, may require chains on roads they have jurisdiction over IF snow conditions warrant, usually just during or right after a storm, but if a hotel said you are required to have chains when you enter the park, I'd clarify that.

Be sure that your car rental agreement does not prohibit the use of chains (they want to avoid damage due to misuse). If you can use chains and it turns out you need them, there should be chain rental places along the road into Yosemite (and you may want to use them to put on chains even if you bought them if you haven't done it before). May or may not be any cheaper than the stores you mention or any auto parts places, such as Pep Boys (which may have a wider selection of sizes), but you can wait until the last minute and see what the weather is. There's always the YARTS bus from Merced.

We have already had some snow in the high country and the Tioga Pass closed last week. I expect it will reopen this week but that is a guess. Heavy snow could close it again for good at almost any time. When that happens, chains are often required to pass certain points lower down. I think I heard that it was the south entrance station this time but could be mistaken there. Best to check road conditions before arriving at the Park just to be sure. Some years the snow doesn't get heavy until December but other times it can be September/October.

Where did you read you are required to have chains to enter the park?? I doubt that.

I booked one our rooms on the hotels website and got a notice on the confirm screen. I booked another room on the phone and the agent said they were required to enter after November. I figured they would be doing checks at the park entrance.


I will have to pay close attention now to the weather. If it is going to be a relatively early snow season maybe i will be better off sticking to the coast.

I booked one of our lines on the hotels website and got a notice on the confirm screen. I booked another room in the phone and the agent said they were required to enter after November. I figured they would be doing checks at the park entrance.


I will have to pay close attention now to the weather. If it is going to be a relatively early snow season maybe i will be better off sticking to the coast.

Take a look at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/chains.htm (which may be what the hotel was quoting, though on the phone you may have gotten a rep who erred on the side of caution). The park administration says:

"You must have tire chains or cables in your possession when entering a designated chain control area, even if you're driving a four-wheel drive or rental vehicle. (Designation is by a sign that says, "CHAINS REQUIRED.") Conditions dictate when chains are required, therefore, it's not possible to predict if chains will be required ahead of time. You should have chains when visiting Yosemite from November through March (chain requirements may be in place on occasion as early as September or as late as May)."

So, you "should" have chains when visiting from Nov.-May, but that's advisory. You MUST have them if conditions warrant, and in that case you'll see signs. The California Department of Transportation Web site, http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi, will have up to date info. Yosemite's Web site should also have current conditions. Not a bad idea to call, in case a Web site isn't updated right away. And you can also ask when you get to one of the towns outisde Yosemite where you might buy chains and ask about local conditions (if you hear a weather forecast calling for a storm, bank on chains). No one can predict with certainty how much snow there'll be, and, of course, even if it's "snowier than usual," what counts is the snowfall, if any on the day(s) you're there, not over the whole season. I am sure you'll find places renting chains close to where chains are first required (hard to predict exactly where that will be), though if you know how to put on, and take off, chains, you may save money doing it yourself. Assuming, of course, your rental contract doesn't preclude the use of chains (then take the bus?). You could book the whole trip from the Bay Area to Yosemite through Amtrak (train to Merced, then bus to Yosemite). I assume the busses run unless a storm is so bad the highway is closed.

... I assume the busses run unless a storm is so bad the highway is closed.
Yes.

So, you "should" have chains when visiting from Nov.-May, but that's advisory. You MUST have them if conditions warrant, and in that case you'll see signs.

Ugh. Most mountainous regions in California you must have them in possession when travelling in the winter. You are then required to deploy them to travel on certain roads.

We did a trip to Yosemite a couple of winters ago and went to our local autozone to buy cables. The manager, upon hearing what were doing, told us that if we didn't use them he would gladly accept a return and refund us the money. ^ So, for those who only make an occasional visit to the mountains, that might be an option.