#Winery close to rush creek lodge full

Overall 8/10 Rush Creek Spa - I was totally delighted by this spa, light experience.Took my son in with us for 3 hours. It led me to run the heater more and I didn't care for the added noise. Lowlight: The comforter was thin, and failed to keep me warm. Highlight: Whole wood stump stool or end table. It’ll go a long way in bringing your body temperature back to normal in between hikes and even quick jumps out of the car for picture taking.Rush Creek Lodge - Room: Enjoyed the decor. I’d also suggest bringing a large thermos filled with hot coffee.

A walking stick could certainly help, too, and when in doubt, try to step in snowy patches versus ice.

They work just like chains on tires and you can get them at most adventure gear stores like REI. Even our proper hiking shoes didn’t have quite enough traction, but I noticed a handful of hikers confidently navigating the ice like Olympic athletes thanks to traction systems made out of coils or spikes that they had attached to their shoes. I saw too many ill-advised tourists attempting to get around in standard sneakers, trying and failing to find their legs. Once we got to Yosemite Valley, the temp had dropped 10 to 15 degrees (hovering in the mid-to-high 20s), and I was kicking myself for leaving my warmest jacket back in the room.įor hiking, good shoes are critical as you’ll often be trekking through deep snow and atop extremely slippery ice (yes, even if you’re simply strolling around the valley). On the first day of a recent trip, my husband and I actually underestimated the cold based on temperatures outside of the park at Rush Creek Lodge, where we booked a cozy villa. Pack a hat, gloves, and more warm-weather layers than you think you’ll need. The good news is that if you don’t need them, you can return them later. The most obvious item you’ll need for a winter Yosemite trip is snow chains for your tires: Depending on the road conditions, they’ll be required to enter the park. What to Pack for a Winter Trip to Yosemite

Don't forget to stop by The Ahwahnee to warm up with some peppermint schnapps hot chocolate. I noticed that, on the way back, the ice was much slushier and easier to navigate, so it could pay off to wait until late morning, when the sun starts to warm everything up.īefore you leave, drive a bit up from the valley to the east end of Wawona Tunnel on Hwy 41 and take in the sights at Tunnel View, probably the most famous panorama in the park featuring killer views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall at once. We passed several groups that had actually decided to turn back before reaching the footbridge, but we pressed on until we reached our destination (the path to the top of Vernal Fall was closed, unfortunately). Though also only about three miles round trip, this trail was extremely icy and included some moderate climbs that had us nearly sliding backwards and off the trail. The most challenging hike we did was to the Vernal Fall Footbridge. Once we got there, some sections of the lake were so frozen that it was actually safe to walk on, and we did so at our own risk. It was about a three-mile trek round trip and we only saw a few other souls along the way. Loop around the Meadow (here, we caught several families having good old fashioned snowball fights) for a great view of Half Dome and both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls.Īnother easy hike through snowy solitude is Mirror Lake, which we hiked to from The Ahwahnee. From the falls, continue on through an icy forest and across the road to Cook’s Meadow. You don’t have to do the whole thing, but can instead drive, park, and hop in and out at certain points, like Lower Yosemite Falls, which was still pumping a good deal of water when we went just before Christmas.

#Winery close to rush creek lodge full

The mostly-flat Valley Loop Trail goes a full 11 miles around the valley floor of Yosemite, passing through snowy meadows, under cliffs, and along the Merced River and its snow-capped rocks. But there’s still plenty of hiking to do, albeit with limited elevation gain. The biggest drawback of Yosemite in the winter is that most of the more rigorous trails are closed and impassable due to snow and ice. The park's $35 entrance fee will you get park access for up to seven days. This time of year, advance reservations are required to enter Yosemite only during weekends in February, when the annual fiery phenomenon at Horsetail Fall draws larger crowds than usual.