Yosemite after this lil storm on Tuesday?

[Willythedog]

2 part question- Obviously no one knows but for the grizzled vets, your best guesses-

What’s your guys’ take on doing Clouds Rest from the valley after this little storm we’re getting on Tuesday? I think their calling for about 6 inches at badger pass (I use OpenSnow for snow forecasts.) Thinkin bout a day hike Friday (high pressure system moves in.) You guys think I’ll be trudging through 6+ inches of snow most of the way? Or you think itll settle pretty quick? I’ll be going solo but Im confident in my route finding and fitness. I have a bunch of fair weather backcountry experience and a good amount of winter splitboarding and mountaineering experience.

Do you think Tioga pass will be closed the the season following this storm?

Totally a loaded question and obviously will ultimately decide after the storm passes but I’m one of those people that need to start planning trips in advance or I’ll end up not doing it lol.

[paul]

I would expect that 6 inches to settle pretty quick, based on the daytime temps in the forecast that i just looked at. I would be more concerned about ice on the rocks in the morning, since it looks like overnight lows will be below freezing. I would want some traction aids.
As for Tioga, pretty much a crap shoot there. It seems like the park will not usually put much effort into keeping that open at this time of year, but they do have a big construction project going to redo the Tuolumne campgrounds, so if they haven't shut that down already they may put more effort into keeping the road open to keep that rolling. But i doubt the park would say at this point what they intend to do.

[c9h13no3]

I bet this storm closes Tioga for the season. If the storm fizzles, the others could open. But they’re very conservative with Tioga.

Clouds rest from the valley seems doable as a November objective. The Mist trail stairs will warm you up during the morning headlamp time. I’d probably just carry gaiters and poles, but as Paul mentions, melt-freeze ice on rocks would be top of mind.

[Wandering Daisy]

The NWS forecast shows at 9800 feet (Clouds Rest at 9865) Tuesday morning low is 6-degree F, Wednesday high 21-degrees F. Like other said, ice is a real problem and it will be darned cold all the day Wed. Not sure what you meant by "after" the storm on Tuesday. Add the short daylight hours and that it is a long day to do Clouds Rest even in summer conditions, I would think a better idea would be to take 2 days and camp at LYV. Also wait a few days after the storm.

Add to this wind chill and I think conditions will be brutal all week. Wind gusts 25 mph. Morning windchill numbers are from 0F to -7F all week, even after the storm. The snow is not going to melt above about 8500 feet.

I would not want to be going up the stairs on the Mist Trail with a headlamp early AM with the likely ice. JMT takes longer. Also a problem with ice on this trail. Split into 2 days you can avoid much of the morning cold. These will be winter conditions. Not my idea of a day-hike.

[Willythedog]

I would be doing it most likely Friday once high pressure settles in and it warms up a bit but I’m sure it’ll still be quite cold.

I’ve done clouds rest multiple times (always in November/December for some reason… I think I subconsciously avoid the summer crowds) and it’s definitely a haul but I think I can pull off a day hike. Not that I have much of an option- all my backpacking gear is in storage in a different state

Thank you all for your insight. You guys are awesome. Duly noted on icy conditions and frigid conditions

[maverick]

YNP:

Tioga Road (the continuation of Highway 120 through the park) will temporarily close on Monday, October 31, at 6 pm, due to a forecast of snow.