SophiaTravel

In Jan 20-21, 2024, I joined OAC group for snowshoeing backpacking in Yosemite. The trail is Crocker Point which usually is closed during summer time given the trail is actually a creek, but during winter time, the creek is frozen, so the trail is open.

It was my first time on either backpacking or snowshoeing. I would say I am quite brave to sign up on this as a green hand. And it turned out to be an unforgettable, challenging and once in a life experience for me.

We met at Yosemite visitor center in the early morning, there are total 6-7 people in the group along with an experienced guide. It was the first time I know Yosemite has ski lift, it does have ski lift. But the ski level seems like the green lane, so not a fascinating ski resort. And bunch of people backcountry ski in Yosemite as well.

The weather was tough on the first day of the hiking, it was snow hard and temperature was quite low. I do not have a good backpack (not a professional one), it made the weight piled up in my shoulder, not on the hip, very very unconformable.

The picture of the group hikers.

After one day hiking, we camped in the snow. The whole camping site only has have us —7 people, it was so quiet and you really felt immersed in the nature.

To set up the bedding in the snow, usually it takes 3 layers – isolation layer, mattress, sleep bag. The sleep bag does not generate the heat, but it keeps the heat. So before going to bed, we need to warm up the body (squat, jumping jack, walking around, etc), then went to the sleep bag to sleep.

The view in the campsite was gorgeous.

We need to wear snowshoes in order to walk in knee high snow, I made a mistake to purchase crampons, crampons are used for walking on the ice.

Snowshoes

Crampons

For Yosemite backpacking, we need to put all the food inside the bear can and carry that in the backpack.

To cook in the snow, the guide used the gas stove, and we dig the tunnel / bench in the snow to sit on.

If you have not tried snowshoeing backpacking, I would to say try at least once, it is worthy the challenges and experience.