First time hiking Yosemite!

[BikeRunBackpack]

Hi everyone! Myself and a friend will be coming to Yosemite to camp and hike the first week in March. What will the weather be like? Is this a good time to come to hike and visit Yosemite?? If anyone has recommendations on where to camp and which hikes to do, that would be awesome. We'll probably be there for 2 or 3 nights. Thanks!

[AlmostThere]

1. In a campground that is open. March is winter, and in winter, many of the campgrounds are closed. Check the Yosemite website for a list of open ones. I believe in the valley it will be Upper Pines. You don't need a reservation.

2. In winter, some of the trails close due to ice and snow. Currently there is a little snow, but unless we get more, that may melt. What will be present is ice - the gear store at Curry sells Stabilicers, Yaktrax or similar, if you are hiking up one of the trails from the valley it's best to have them along so long as night temps drop to freezing or below. And it's March, so that will be likely to happen.

There is a list of roads and trails that are currently closed/open on the Yosemite website.

All hikes in Yosemite are good hikes! You can get an idea of the level of difficulty of each by visiting yosemitehikes.com.

[BikeRunBackpack]

Should I not go?? Maybe Zion would be better weather?

[ndwoods]

Winter is my favorite time to see the valley! Are you planning on backpacking or hiking? If hiking, then do the valley loop that includes the north end ...nobody does that! And the Merced Canyon wildflowers are something to behold then...somebody help me with the name of the hike that starts at the old Indian souvenir outpost? On my way to work and don't have time to look it up. I would not skip Yosemite...there is plenty of camping in the valley in winter...never not found a spot and no crowds on the trails! March is great...

[BikeRunBackpack]

Thanks for the info! We will just be hiking. We'll stay in the campground two or three nights, and hike during the days. I'll look into those hikes!

[AlmostThere]

If you don't want the horrible traffic jams, crowds, and crazy - winter is the only time to go.

Hite Cove will probably be flowering early - all the trees are budding right now.

[BikeRunBackpack]

Hi again,

Was just reading some reviews about camping in Yosemite, and I got some mixed information. I'll be arriving this Tuesday probably early afternoon. Do you think a campsite will be available at Camp 4? I thought that I read camping in March would be plentiful, but I read a review of someone that went in January and had to wait in line at 5am. ????

Also- how safe is it to leave your tent and your belongings in your tent, while you're gone on a hike? I was thinking I would leave my tent set up (it's not super fancy), but I would put my new slightly expensive sleeping bag, along with my clothes, back in my car when I'm gone hiking.

Thanks!

[AlmostThere]

Camp 4 is walk in and first come/first serve. if you go in winter no problem. If you go in summer, you might be out of luck by 8 am.

I very much doubt anyone had any issues in January - you could get an open campsite in the main campground without an issue then.

[BikeRunBackpack]

Ok great, thanks!

[Paddy]

Hi again,

Was just reading some reviews about camping in Yosemite, and I got some mixed information. I'll be arriving this Tuesday probably early afternoon. Do you think a campsite will be available at Camp 4? I thought that I read camping in March would be plentiful, but I read a review of someone that went in January and had to wait in line at 5am. ????

Also- how safe is it to leave your tent and your belongings in your tent, while you're gone on a hike? I was thinking I would leave my tent set up (it's not super fancy), but I would put my new slightly expensive sleeping bag, along with my clothes, back in my car when I'm gone hiking.

Thanks!

Don't know about January, but I drove by camp 4 couple times less than two weeks ago (Feb-20/22) and the camp looks empty. The parking lot was maybe 1/3 full. If you are worried about not able to get a site at camp 4, plan for backup plan to stay at Upper Pine camp ground. Due to warm weather, the camp was about 1/3 to 1/2 full (105 sites). At this time of year, Upper Pine is first come, first serve.

I saw warning signs about cameras and climbing gears grew legs at camp 4. But to have a peace of mind, put them in your car.

I would be more worried about camp-mates leaving food out on picnic tables or food lockers, which attracts bears and other critters.

[Paddy]

Should I not go?? Maybe Zion would be better weather?

This year is not as cold as last year. There was barely any snow on the ground. I saw some on a trail and a pile behind the chapel. My water bottles did not form any ice over night and I was able to do dishes after breakfast without any hot water.

However, I had a backup plan (most of the time)

[AlmostThere]

It will be in the twenties most nights this week. Just because it's intermittent doesn't mean it's not still winter....

[BikeRunBackpack]

We had a great time! The park was so empty. I counted maybe 8 cars total in the parking lot at Camp 4 for the 2 nights we stayed there. Had no problems leaving our tents up...but we put our sleeping bags in my car just to be safe. Thanks for the advice, can't wait to get back there again!!