Views from Dewey Point

Several years ago a group of us booked a weekend in Yosemite to go cross country skiing but due to the lack of snow, Badger Pass wasn't even open and we ended up just hiking around the valley floor.  Lee and I tried again a couple of years ago to go snowshoeing and again, not enough snow.  So last month, just a few days before MLK weekend and after several snow storms, we decided we would go to the Sierras for a couple of nights.  We found a place to rent cross country skis in Fremont, booked a room in Oakhurst and were there in time for a late dinner on Friday night.  

The weather was unseasonably warm that night and it was pretty wet even up at Badger Pass first thing Saturday morning.  But fortunately, due to a late start, the rain subsided by the time we were heading out on skis. We drove up to Badger Pass, picked up a map and asked for recommendations.  This was only the second time I had ever been on cross country skis and it was Lee's first time on anything besides water skis.  We had absolutely no idea what we were doing.  I only knew that I wanted to be able to "see" something and unwisely and ambitiously encouraged us to go out to Dewey Point.  The guys at Badger Pass didn't think it was too crazy, but in hindsight, it probably was.  The trip out to Dewey Point was a 7 mile round trip ski, three of which were black diamond/expert terrain.  Fortunately we made it there and back without any broken bones or injury to any of the other skiers out that day.   And despite the sore muscles and exhaustion we felt by the time we got back to the car, we still had a great time.   We definitely want to try it again -- perhaps with someone who knows what they are doing and on a trail more aligned with our level.   Even though we were overly ambitious (I take full blame for that), going out to Dewey Point was BEAUTIFUL.  We loved seeing a new view in one of our favorite parks and were so grateful we had a few minutes of high clouds and blue skies while we were there.     It was on the only blue we saw all weekend.    Views from Dewey Point

Sunday morning we attended church service at the chapel in Oakhurst and then drove in to the valley.   We love seeing the valley with snow.  Since it was a holiday weekend, the park was more crowded than I had ever expected for January.  Not once were we able to pull off the side of the road and park -- all spots were taken by families with kids playing and sledding in the snow.   And when we did find a place to park in a lot within walking distance of the visitor center, we witnessed/helped get four cars unstuck -- the snow and ice was detrimental to anything without 4WD.  Needless to say, we were back on the road by early afternoon heading home to Fremont.  

No matter what time of year we visit Yosemite, it is always beautiful.  I'm so glad I finally got a chance to play in the snow in Yosemite and hope it's not the last!  Pictures are here.