Hotel Charlotte
On the way to Yosemite National Park

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Special Photographer Terri Metz at play in Yosemite Valley, Winter. What a cool place to make snow angles!

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Even unnamed granite visions become photo worthy in the winter.

Bridal Veil Falls through the trees

About these Photos
All of the photos on the right
 were provided by Terri Metz. Those on the upper left, by
Hotel Charlotte, and those below used by permission of  "Loves Photography", a tripadvisor.com contributor from San Diego

More Yosemite:
Hetch Hetchy
Photogallery
An Aerial View
Yosemite Tips & Activities
 

This great photo was provided to us by LovesPhotography, a regular poster on the
TripAdvisor.com Yosemite Forum

Hotel Charlotte winter hotel and vacation rental rates include great winter season discounts. Call for your custom package.
209-962-6455

Consider a winter Yosemite
wedding

Hetch Hetchy is also open in the winter. The trail is to Wapama falls is fairly level and and in good condition. Bring snow shoes!

Many of the photographs on this page including the Yosemite Chapel, Snowman, El Capitan and Merced River pictures were provided to us curtsey of Special Photography by Terri Metz

Yosemite in the winter is absolutely beautiful and very accessible. In the four month period that seems to define most of our winter, there are really only a dozen or so really bad driving days for getting into the valley. The thing is, we just don't know which dozen days these will be. Those traveling this area with airline reservations have a trickier time making Yosemite plans, but those who live in the San Francisco bay area,  Sacramento or any of our neighboring communities who can plan their Yosemite trips based on good weather should be coming up! If you wait two to three days after a good snow fall, the roads will be fairly clear, the skies brilliantly blue and the trip most memorable!

Winter temperatures are often in the 50's by mid day—a very comfortable trekking level. Wear sturdy waterproof boots, as the ground and trails are likely to be wet.

Many lodging properties might have unstated, but fairly liberal winter/weather cancellation policies. Have this discussion with your innkeeper when planning winter travel. Traveling to Yosemite National Park in the winter is also a time of year that you might not even need reservations, or can secure same day reservations and not risk a weather related cancellation. Be Whimsical!

El Capitan reflects nicely in the still winter waters of the Merced River
Consider joining the Yosemite Winter Club for fantastic discounts of ice-skating at the rink in Curry Village and Badger Pass ski days. The club also hosts a number of exciting events throughout the winter.
Even Half Dome collects snow in the winter. Take a look at more of our aerial photos of Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite in the winter offers up a serenity not evident with the summer crowds.
Even El Capitan carries a crisp majestic essence in the winter with the highlighting of each crevasse with fresh white snows.

Organized Winter Activities in Yosemite include:

Badger Pass Ski Area: (Scheduled to open for the season on December 12th, weather permitting) California's oldest ski park with great learning slopes for downhill and snowboarding. Relaxed and scenic are the words of the day at Badger Pass. Guests can enjoy 10 runs of various difficulty levels or 90 miles of cross-country and showshoe trails. Stay with us on your way to the slopes and save $20 on lift tickets. Call for details: 209-962-6455.

Ice Skating in Curry Village:  enjoy the feel of the ice under the shadow of Half Dome a dramatic event, day or evening!

Guided Moonlight Snowshoe walks: Walks begin at the Badger Pass day lodge and last about 2 hours. The cost if $14.75 per person including the snowshoe rental or $5.00 per person if you bring your own snowshoes. So get a pair so snow shoes, either in the park or from Mountain Sage in Groveland and begin your wild winter walks through Yosemite.

Bracebridge Dinner: Since 1927 this tradition has enchanted guests for decades with singers, jugglers and court characters retelling the story of Squire Bracebridge's magical Christmas, an Old English costumed dinner. Many guests over the years have stayed with us at the Hotel Charlotte to make this once in a life time event affordable. Dinner only tickets are $375 per person. December 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24 and 26.

Ahwahnee Vintner's Holidays: starting November 4th and running through December 6th with many wineries, events and speakers presented throughout the program.

Ahwahnee Chef's Holidays: from January 6th through the 31st with topics covering a wide range of interests.

Scanning archived issues of the Yosemite Today magazine will provide you with a good idea of the ranger-led activities available throughout the winter.

 

Yosemite Winter Driving: When calling Yosemite's roads & weather hotline, 209-372-0200 when Chain Controls are in effect, you will get instructions of R1, R2 or R3. Here is what each of these mean: R-1   Chains are required – snow tread tires are allowed Park road signs will show “AUTOS & PICKUPS SNOW TIRES OK”, “Carry Chains”. Tires must be rated for snow (M-S or M+S, All Season). Snow tires must have a minimum tread depth of 6/32 of an inch to be legal. You still need to carry chains in your vehicle.  If your tires don’t meet these requirements you must use chains.  R-2   Chains are required on “All” vehicles except four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels. Park road signs will show “4W DRIVE WITH SNOW TIRES OK”, “Carry Chains”. Four wheel drive vehicles meeting this requirement must still carry tire chains.  R-3   Chains are required – “All” vehicles – no exceptions.  It might be a better choice on days like this to sit curled up with a book until tomorrow when the weather is often nicer. The posted speed limit in the park is 25 mph when chain requirements are in effect.  State Law requires you to carry chains in your vehicle when entering an active chain control area.  Tire traction devices can be link chain, cable chain and/or spider straps.  For more info: www.dot.ca.gov/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm. Word on the street is that Fox and Dollar car rentals allow chains on the car and will rent them to you. Consider these car rental companies when traveling the Sierras in the winter.

Hotel Charlotte
On the way to Yosemite National Park
Cozy Lodging, Good Food & Spirits
Serving dinner Thursday-Sunday from 5:30
Lunch: Friday, Saturday & Sundays from 11:30
18736 Main Street (Highway 120) PO Box 787
 Groveland, California  95321
Reservations: (209) 962-6455,  Fax: (209) 962-6254
Email: HotelCharlotte@aol.com

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