2014 Yosemite "Snow" Trip

This year’s big trip was (allegedly) a snow trip to Yosemite National Park.  One of the jewels of the National Park System. 

The trip approached with great excitement, but an impending sense of disappointment.  The trip was conceived as a snow outing, but at the end of the driest year in California history, there was precious little snow to be found anywhere in Sierras.  Thankfully, the week before the trip, the first massive storm of the season finally arrived, and webcams finally showed snow at Badger Pass.  So, at least the troop could find snow there.

As departure approached, the weather threatened again.  Rain was in the forecast, but it was predicted as an overnight event on Saturday Night.  We hoped that the threat of rain would keep people from visiting on the holiday weekend.

The morning of the event things started to go awry.  One of the drivers fell ill in the night!  Thankfully, there were just enough seats to go around if everyone crammed into the remaining vehicles.  Departure went smoothly and the group made it to their first rest stop outside Stockton.  From there it was up into the mountains!  This turned sobering as the caravan approached Yosemite and drove through the burned out area from the massive Rim Fire the summer before.  The devastation was overwhelming.  Mile after mile of burned out trees as far as the eye could see.  

Eventually the troop made it to the gates of Yosemite, only to learn that the valley camping had filled up the night before!  Luckily with no snow in the high country, Hogden Meadow campground was opened just inside the gates to the park.  On the downside, the campground had been winterized and the water was turned off.  The troop had to haul water in from the valley floor!  So, to the valley floor we went and visited the museum and visitors center.  

In the night the rain did come down, but only from 11 to 6 so everyone was in their tents and safe.  The next morning the troop headed up to Badger Pass.  The boys enjoyed a two hour snow ball fight interrupted by snow man building contest.  We would have liked to do more, but there was only a foot or so of snow on the ground, so snow caves and such were not in the cards.  After that, the group headed down to the valley and had lunch before taking off for their hike.  We headed up the Vernal Falls Trail for the grueling uphill seven tenths of a mile to the bridge.  Taking a break there, the troop retook the trail to the top, only to be stopped by a trail closure (darn).  So, we turned around and headed down.  On the way back to camp, the troop stopped by the world famous Yosemite Falls and took the trail to the base of the falls.  

Monday morning, we packed and headed home, stopping for lunch along the way having seen one of the great wonders of the natural world.

Participants:  Eric, Ben, Andrew W., Carl, Daniel, Devon, Owen, Bryce, Adam, Lucas, Andres, Payton, Brian, Jeff, James, Marcus, Andrew P.

Leaders:  Mr. Polkinghorn,  Mr. Morris, Mr. Frazee, Mr. Drenth, Mr. Griffin

Lessons Learned:  Presidents Day Weekend is really busy.  Go another weekend.  Hogden Meadow if very nice if remote.  Bring radios for each vehicle.