Biking in the Valley in April

[jgjulio]

Hello everyone. Just found this forum.

My family and I have been going to Yosemite for years. We mostly go in the winter (Jan) to avoid the crowds.

We have just returned from a trip (Oct) and totally loved biking around in the valley.

We would like to return in mid April. What are the usual conditions at the valley floor that time of year?

Is there still snow on the trails? Will the foliage be showing some green or will it still be winter brown?

Thank you for your replies.

[Wickett]

I go every April and it is really hit or miss for snow. Most of it should be gone except for the really shady spots. The temp is usually warm, high 60's to low 70's, but can fluctuate with incoming weather systems. The valley is full but not obnoxiously so yet. Anything after Memorial day is ridiculous.

[jgjulio]

Thanks for the reply Wickett.
How is the foliage? Green or brown?

[Wickett]

Green from what I remember. The blooms start either in April or May depending on the weather that year.

[hotrod4x5]

I've been there in April and it snowed. You really have no idea how it will be.

[balzaccom]

Here's a link to two sets of photos.

The first one is from Hite Cove, just outside the park, in March of this year....and few shots of the valley as well.

http://picasaweb.google.com/balzaccom/H ... 4616567394

and this next one is April at Hetch-hetchy the year before...a month later, but much more snow and blustery weather.


http://picasaweb.google.com/balzaccom/HetchHetchy09#

[Wickett]

I was searching my photos to put some up for comparison, looks like you beat me to it! : )

[hotrod4x5]

Here's a link to two sets of photos.

The first one is from Hite Cove, just outside the park, in March of this year....and few shots of the valley as well.

http://picasaweb.google.com/balzaccom/H ... 4616567394

and this next one is April at Hetch-hetchy the year before...a month later, but much more snow and blustery weather.


http://picasaweb.google.com/balzaccom/HetchHetchy09#

I didn't realize there were places you could camp in the Hite Cove area. Do people camp there a lot?

[balzaccom]

It's a nice hike--about 4.5 miles, something like that. And it is an old mining camp, with lots of old iron equipment around. But yes, there ae plenty of places to camp there.

[AlmostThere]

Inquire at Sierra National FS office in Clovis or Oakhurst about overnight permits for Hite Cove. It's outside the park. They also close the trail for the summer, and have been known to close it earlier - part of the trail is on private land and access is dependent on the owner's permission. This last year it closed early and then reopened as the owner and the FS were negotiating again.

(Note that the webpage for Sierra NF says Hite is open, but the page is also dated - last revised in June. Always best to call first.)

[Dave Miller]

I did a quick overnight trip to Hite's cove in May. I contacted the Sierra National Forest and they told me I did not need a wilderness permit but a standard fire permit is required even for backpacking stoves. Once you get to Hite's cove, there are a couple decent places to setup camp, but not too many. There were a few spots that looked nice before you got to the cove.

I loved getting out to the cove and checking out some of old mines and gear left behind.

One thing to mention: When I contacted the Ranger station, the Ranger on duty emphasized and warned me that the first mile of the trail is on Private land and there is no current "public access" agreement for the trail use. She basically told me I shouldn't use the trail which really confused me since all the signs at the trail head encourage you to use the trail. She hinted that there may be changes in the future to trail access.

For now I'm going by the trail signs and hoping the land owners get things worked out with the NF.