Amazing Snowshoeing to Dewey Point (Yosemite) – What You Need To Know
High elevation roads closed in Yosemite? No problem! One of the best ways to experience Yosemite in winter is by going on a snowshoeing adventure from Badger Pass to Dewey Point.
Our first time snowshoeing was on this Badger Pass to Dewey Point winter trail, and it was so rewarding. Initially, we were nervous about getting lost and also not having the right gear for snowshoeing. However, knowing that many people have done this before was reassuring.
If you’re visiting Yosemite in winter, I highly recommend allocating a day for this experience. This moderate trail to Dewey Point takes you to the side of the granite cliffs overlooking Yosemite Valley. You likely won’t find an easier hike with this kind of view in winter.
In this article I’ll be sharing all the details about how you can snowshoe to Dewey Point, including lessons learnt from our trip. Hopefully, you’ll be able to plan your winter trip to Yosemite with confidence.
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Badger Pass to Dewey Point trail summary
Here’s the popular Dewey Point Trail we took:
- Round trip Distance: 7.2 miles (4-5 hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 780 ft (238 m)
- Starting point: Badger Pass Ski Area
- Our exact route on AllTrails: link
You can also book a guided snowshoe hike to Dewey Point at $95, which also includes snowshoe rental for the whole day.
Location and route map
Here’s a summary of the trail we took, which is slightly different from the usual Dewey Point Winter Loop.
We chose to skip the Ridge Trail (#14) that loops back from Dewey Point. Instead, we went out and back via the easier Meadow Trail (#18) because we were beginners and wanted to take it easy.
There is a vault toilet at the intersection of trails on Glacier Point Road as well as back at Badger Pass Lodge. You can see the toilet icons by zooming into the map below.
Time stamps
9:30am – Get to Badger Pass Ski Area to pick up snowshoe rentals
10:00am – Taking a scenic detour on Old Glacier Point Road
11:00am – Crossing Glacier Point Road to take the Meadow Trail
12:30pm – Snack and photo break at Dewey Point
1:00pm – Snowshoeing back via Meadow Trail
2:15pm – Finish the loop via Glacier Point Road
2:45pm – Back to Badger Pass Ski Area for lunch
Cost
You can rent a pair snowshoes from Badger Pass Ski Area for $26.50 for the day. The good news is that it’s free to access the snowshoe trails. There are no parking fees involved too.
However, you do need to pay the entrance fee to Yosemite National Park, which is $35 per vehicle.
Our Dewey Point snowshoeing experience
We went on this hike in March 2024, 2 days after a massive snowstorm.
Where we stayed – Yosemite West
The closest place to stay near Badger Pass Ski Area is Yosemite West. This is a quiet and rare vacation rental estate that is actually inside Yosemite National Park. Since we were visiting with my family, we booked this cozy place called Yosemite View for the 7 of us.
From Yosemite West, it only takes 15 minutes to drive to Badger Pass Ski Area. In comparison, driving up from Yosemite Valley Lodge takes 45 minutes.
For a more affordable stay, consider Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort which is a 1.5 hour drive away via the all-weather Highway 140.
Check out my guide on the best places to stay in Yosemite for more ideas and options.
Getting to Badger Pass
Driving your own vehicle
The roads were still open and you can drive along Glacier Point Road up to the Badger Pass Ski Area. Beyond that, Glacier Point Road is a groomed ski trail all the way to the end.
We brought our tire traction equipment but did not have to use them since it was just R2 condition and we had an AWD with M+S tires.
Refer to my article about tips on California car rental – including how to deal with snow chain requirements.
Taking the free Yosemite shuttle
Most people will opt to drive to Badger Pass because it’s more convenient. However, if you are worried about driving after a storm you can choose to take the shuttle.
The shuttles depart at 8:30am and 11am from Yosemite Valley Lodge, and they take 1 hour to get to Badger Pass Ski Area.
When you’re ready to return to the valley, make sure to make it back for the 2pm or 4:30pm shuttle.
Pick up rental snowshoes at Badger Pass Ski Area
You don’t need to call in advance to rent snowshoes, so just walk in when you get to the rental store. There are lots of useful maps and information displayed there too, such as whether certain trails have been broken since the last snow.
The staff told us that the Dewey Point trail had been broken, which means someone had left their tracks already. This made us feel less nervous, knowing that the trail would be fairly straightforward to follow.
We got the MSR Evo Trail Snowshoes from the rental shop, which I was happy about because I’d been thinking of buying it. This is the perfect chance to test it out!
Taking a scenic detour on Old Glacier Point Road
The trail started just a short walk away from the snowshoe rental store, and we made our way onto the Old Glacier Point Road. Although our original plan was to follow the original AllTrails map for the Dewey Point Winter Loop, we decided that this trail was way too beautiful to forgo.
Hence, we decided to take the Old Glacier Point Road which is a slight detour, but would also lead us to the starting point of the Dewey Point Meadow Trail (#18) eventually.
It starts with an initial incline, just enough to make us take off our warm layers. The rest of the journey would be flatter, so we were fine with it.
Snowshoeing under the snow-covered trees with no one else in sight other than us was so magical. I felt like I was living in a Frozen Disney movie.
Crossing Glacier Point Road to take the Meadow Trail
After the first hour, we were thankful for the vault toilet on Glacier Point Road. We took a quick break and then crossed over onto the Dewey Point Meadow Trail (#18). Follow the yellow triangle signs in case you can’t see a clear trail in the snow.
It’s meant to be an easy trail so we took in all the sights and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the journey. However, we didn’t expect to be so tired that quickly. I guess snowshoeing can be quite different from hiking, and my lack of stamina was showing every time I had to take a break on an uphill section.
I could tell we were walking along a little creek, as some parts of it were not covered by the snow. Thankfully we had our eyes wide open and did not step into these gaps accidentally. It’s very pretty to have these winding patterns amidst the snow though.
As we got closer to Dewey Point, we started to catch glimpses of the surrounding High Sierra peaks in the distance. We were excited as we knew we were closing in on the granite cliff edge!
Snack and photo break at Dewey Point
We walked along the cliffside for a little while before coming to Dewey Point – finally! Admittedly, we were so tired from dragging our snowshoes through the snow so it wasn’t a good idea to stand at the edge for too long.
The thick snow also made it hard to see where the granite cliff ends, so we quickly took some pictures and went to sit down. Looking down into the valley was vertigo-inducing too! There are no barriers at all, which kind of adds to the fun of being out in nature.
The snow-covered view at Dewey Point is such a rare sight because you can only get there by snowshoeing or skiing through the backcountry. Sure, you could hike here in summer when there’s no snow but where’s the fun in that? Besides, Glacier Point would already be open down the road.
I laid my rain jacket down on the snow and sat on it for our quick snack break. It will be so much more comfortable if you have an insulated sit pad though. Plus, my bottom sunk into the soft snow so getting back up was a two-person job.
Snowshoeing back via Meadow Trail and Glacier Point Road
Satisfied with our accomplishment of getting all the way to Dewey Point on our own two feet (and snowshoes), we turned back to complete the trail.
If we didn’t already decide to take the easier trail back, the ache in our legs would have made us change our mind at this time. Thankfully, it was mostly downhill as we backtracked to Glacier Point Road.
We saw a few more people skiing and snowshoeing after we left the Meadow Trail (#18) and got onto Glacier Point Road. For some reason, seeing people around helps us to feel more comfortable about new places and experiences. We even saw tracks that skiers left behind as they went off Glacier Point Road to ski down the hill.
The groomed trails made it much easier to snowshoe, since we didn’t have to lift our legs up as high. For some reason we were also getting blisters on our little toe – maybe because we strapped the snowshoes on too tightly.
You can imagine the relief we had once we took off our snowshoes and stepped onto the parking lot. After returning our rental snowshoes, we dove into Badger Pass Lodge for some burgers.
What a day!
Things to prepare
Although you don’t need much to enjoy a snowshoeing adventure in Yosemite, here are some tips on how you can make the most of the clothes and gear you might already have. If you want to know more about hiking gear for beginners, check out this article. I’ve also written a guide for winter hiking gear.
What to wear for snowshoeing
Although California’s winters are not a big deal, it’s good to be prepared for temperatures below freezing. The key to staying warm and dry is in appropriate layering. Here are some things in your Yosemite packing list that are worth highlighting.
Snow/hiking boots (waterproof if possible) with gaiters: To keep the snow out of your socks
Sweat-wicking (NO cotton) base layer: Ideally synthetic blend or wool
Warm mid-layer: Such as a fleece or light down jacket
Waterproof outer shell: A rain jacket works too
Non-cotton socks: Synthetic blend or wool
Gloves (water resistant if possible)
Rain/Snow pants (if you have)
Sun protection: Sunglasses, cap, sunscreen, etc.
Gear for snowshoeing
If you plan to buy your own snowshoes instead of rent, here are two great options I’ve tested out.
Many people recommend the MSR Evo Trail because it is more affordable, but it is heavier compared to its upgraded equivalent – the MSR Evo Ascent. You can really feel the weight difference when you’re snowshoeing for hours.
In addition, the MSR Evo Ascent has a tab you can pull to raise your heel. This makes it easier to tackle the uphill sections because the snowshoes are supporting your heel and it gives your calves a break.
Both use the strap-down method of attaching the snowshoe to your shoe. They are reliable snowshoes and the MSR brand is synonymous with high quality. You can also get hiking poles that double up as snowshoeing poles too.
Wouldn’t they be a great gift for someone (hint hint)?
Safety and navigation tips
- Navigation: AllTrails downloaded link (Google Maps doesn’t work well here)
- Satellite communication (optional): Like the Garmin InReach Mini 2
- Flashlight: In case you stay out too late, and winter’s sunsets arrive early
- Hiking backpack: I would bring a larger backpack because there are more layers and safety items to bring when you’re hiking in winter – here are some under $100
- Snacks: I like to bring 300 kcal for every hour of hiking
- Water: At least 2 liters (0.5 liters every hour)
- Emergency bivvy: In case you need to spend the night out there
- Multi-tool: This one includes a handy Ferro Rod that can start a fire even when wet
Conclusion – You need to try snowshoeing to Dewey Point this winter
Even if you’ve never been a winter sports person (same here – because I grew up in a tropical country), Yosemite is simply gorgeous in the snow. Not only should you spend a day in Yosemite Valley, I also highly recommend spending a day to explore the scenery from 7,200+ ft elevation.
The Dewey Point snowshoeing trail is easy to follow as it is mostly straight and doesn’t have a ton of elevation gain. In addition, you don’t even need to bring your own snowshoes. Just remember to wear appropriate clothing for safety and comfort, and bring some snacks and water.
Don’t forget to book your stay in Yosemite early to take advantage of any off-peak winter deals! If you’re visiting California for the holidays, check out these Christmas cabins and things to do in December.
