Things to do during a Yosemite snow storm besides hiding in your tentSleet, wind and other 'interesting' weather (including
blowing snow that bites at your face if you are out in it) are rare but possible during our Yosemite winter camping trip. Sometimes storms come in so quickly that the weather report would not have given us advance notice.
What if we really have a blizzard?
What if it storms so much they close the road to the ski resort? We won't be able to snowboard, ski, do the ranger snowshoe walk or take one of the long hikes.
Will there be anything to do except hide in the car, play cards at the laundromat or go online at the Lodge or Degnan's Deli (for a fee)?
First, let's address the issue of sitting in your car with the engine running to stay warm.
In cold weather, batteries are 50 per cent less efficient.
Idling your car's engine will charge the battery if the alternator and battery are in good condition. If either is slightly below par, or if the belt is just a little loose, or the weather is cold, idling may slowly discharge the battery, without turning on the charge warning light.
Prolonged idling may drain the battery to the point that the car won't restart. This means that if you didn't pack enough proper gear to stay warm overnight on our snow camp trip, and you decide to try sitting in the car to warm up, with the engine running in the middle of the night, not only will you risk waking up everyone else, you could make it difficult or nearly impossible to start the car later when you want to go home.
So if you want to hide from the weather, it should be in your tent or possibly at the laundromat or cafeteria.
For a list of required equipment to be able to stay warm and dry (and another list of the things you will really wish you had), a discussion of what to look for in tents, long-johns, fabrics and rain gear, as well as ideas to save money, go to: Snow or rain camp must-haves.
If you don't want to just play cards all day during a snow storm or even a blizzard, and if you have the right clothes and rain gear, you really could try getting out into the storm a little and experiencing it. You could plan a few short walks to scenic places that will not take you far from shelter.
Our recommended tour uses the free Yosemite Valley shuttle bus. The bus stop is across the road from our campground near the campground entrance. You might want to ride one full loop to check things out.
On your second loop around get off at the main Valley Visitor Center (early 2009 open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and watch the stunning, award winning video Spirit of Yosemite with some swooping aerial views along with history and scenes from all seasons and all parts of the park.(early 2009 shown every half hour at the NPS Visitor Center Theater, a little behind the main building, Mon. thru Sat. from 9:30 to 4:30, Sunday from noon to 4:30.)
Checking out the new exhibit hall displays at the center could even take an hour. The Museum Gallery and Indian Cultural Exhibit (early 2009 hours from 9 to 4, may close for lunch), is a short distance from the Visitor Center, as is the Ansel Adams photography gallery and shop. (Early 2009 hours 9 to 5:00.)
Then get back on the shuttle bus and go to the Yosemite Falls stop. The walk to the base of lower Yosemite Fall is short enough that you should be able to do it without getting too cold or wind-beaten, especially if you wrap a knit scarf around your face. How to find the location of John Muir's cabin (hang nest) in Yosemite Valley
Another short walk (or the next bus stop) gets you to the food court/coffee corner (cafeteria, etc.) and by now it's probably time for lunch. And maybe a card game.
Hours early 2009 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 5. Dinner 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sun.- Thurs. and 5 to 8 Fri/Sat.
If the first walk wasn't too much for you, go across the road from the cafeteria, and walk through the row of hotel buildings, bear right down the road/trail on the far side of the hotel buildings and follow it to a bridge over the river. If the storm clears at all you can get a great picture of Yosemite falls reflected in the river.
Here, the view from that bridge in three seasons:
 
Back on the bus, you could get off at the Yosemite Village store, the biggest grocery in Yosemite Valley, with lots of tshirts and other souvenirs.
One of the next bus stops on the way back to the campground will be the laundromat at Housekeeping Camp, across the road from the Le Conte Memorial Lodge, where you can dry clothes that got a little damp. (early 2009 hours 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
The bus stop after that will be the ice rink, which operates even if it is snowing, but not in a real snow storm.
Out and about after dark? In thick fog or blowing snow you will see better to hike/walk if you put your flashlight headlamp on a belt at your waist instead of on your head.
There is a slight chance of our experiencing the "Mono winds." These are up to 70 m.p.h. and
have knocked down trees.
At the start of past Mono winds the Rangers moved people from the campground to the Curry
Village parking lot, site of an old apple orchard, so no tall trees would threaten campers. They
also moved people from their hotel rooms and cabins into the cafeteria, etc. One year the winds
were high until 2 a.m. and only the campers got sleep; the hotel guests were kept from their
rooms.
This means the possibility of no picnic tables or fire rings,
so bring lots of lunch box-type food and trail snacks,
so you can eat a cold dinner if necessary. Then just plan
on spending the evening in your tent solving the world's
problems, reading magazines or playing board games or
cards while the storm whirls around you.
Previous Mono winds we have experienced lasted only part of one day, not a whole weekend.
  
Please read:
Snow camp weather, hike safety and first aid considerations
First-timer's instructions has tricks for winter camping.
Trip details are at: Snow Camp
See also:
Safe driving in rain and fog
Prepare for winter driving has a link to bad weather driving tips, tips for using tire chains, tricks for dealing with frozen car locks, how to prepare your vehicle for winter driving, a winter survival kit for your car and what to do if you get stranded.
For the answer to the question:
How do I convince my parent(s)/guardian that I can go on this trip? or How do I convince them to pay for some gear for the trip?
Go to: Snow camp FAQs
NOAA weather radio in Yosemite is found at 162.450 MHz.
Those rumors about the dining conditions on club winter trips are unfounded.
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