Peter sent me an email and asked: “I was thinking about coming to Yosemite in December – I gotta make 2 pilgimages a year – and this year I’ve been lacking. Anyhow, what’s it like in December? Is there gonna be snow? Are there a lot of bears? Will I spend all my time in front of the fire at the lodge?”
Well Peter, plan for the worst and hope for the best. December is one of my favorite months to visit the Valley. Most years the snow doesn’t come until around January for the Valley but the higher elevations like Badger Pass, Crane Flat, and Hodgdon Meadow normally have some by the end of the month. Typically the Valley is brisk in the morning and chilly in evening with moderate days. Take a look at the entries for last year and you should get a pretty good idea what it was like. By the end of the month last year the Valley had a pretty good blanket of snow. Check out these pics.
Take your snowshoes and your ice skates though. If there’s enough snow Badger Pass will open and you’ll be able to do some snowshoeing through some of the most beautiful country around. You can even make a trip to Glacier Point if the weather permits. Curry Village normally offers Ice Skating at the rink after the temperatures hold low enough in the Valley. Plan your timing right and get tickets now and you can also enjoy the world famous Bracebridge Dinner, a feast of gigantic proportions.
Trail wise, most of the trails around the Valley stay open until they become choked with snow. Fall rain and runoff from high country snow storms usually mean the waterfalls are flowing a bit better than they were in summer.
That’s about it. Take a warm jacket, some heavy boots, and an adventurous spirit. I don’t think you’ll be hanging out in front of the fireplace in the lodge the whole time, there’s too much other stuff to do.
Oh yeah, don’t forget the snow chains. They’re required during the winter months in Yosemite and you can actually get a ticket if you don’t have them.
Should you get snow the roads typically ice up on 120 just after the last gas station before the park entrance (2 miles out?) and stay that way until about Big Meadow Overlook. Most years there’s heavy snow there’s a thick layer of ice on the roads in the Valley. On 41 you can expect snow around Oakhurst and most of the way into the Valley. 140 is lower in elevation so it’s clear with the only major concern being rocks in the roadway and the river flooding.
Have a great time. Let us know how your trip turns out.