We seem to be on the right track for snowcamping this year. Two years ago it stormed every time we tried to get out. Last year there was just no snow. This year we’ve already gotten out on two great overnights.
This past weekend we headed into a classic California snowshoe destination: Dewey Point in Yosemite National Park. This point is an easy day trip from the Badger Pass Ski Area, but the true beauty comes out at sunset, making it a worthwhile overnight destination. We met Paige, Pavla, and Greg from Northern California Hikers and joined the hordes of people heading to the point on Saturday.
We found a nice campsite near but not too close to the rim, and then spent the rest of the day eating and enjoying the scenery. A typical outing. The only downside to Dewey Point is that other people generally have the same idea – it’s a popular destination for snowcamping outings, especially for first-timers. We had our general area to ourselves until a large group stomped in just before sunset (we had seen them about six hours earlier two miles back – must have been a long day for them) and set up camp within a couple hundred yards of us. They weren’t terribly annoying, but still – when there is snow on the ground, you can set up camp anywhere. Why choose a location so close to others? I dubbed them the VonLoudendorks 2 (they reminded me of a group I encountered on the JMT this summer).
On our way out we had lunch at the Iron Door Saloon in Groveland (always good for bar food and a beer after a visit to Yosemite), and then got lightly rear ended on our trip down Old Priest Grade on the way out. Luckily there was no body damage to the truck, but it seems to have knocked out the 4WD – hopefully just the switch; it will be checked tomorrow, courtesy of our rear-ender’s auto insurance.
