Shine On – Yosemite Glows in Late Winter & Spring
Nature is constantly changing. Snowmelts reveal tufted poppies and spider lupines among dozens of early spring flowers. Moonbows appear with spring frosts, and the sun illuminates an ever-changing granite cast as time moves steadily toward the spring equinox. This dazzling, natural theater performs glorious acts in Yosemite yearly, a stage teeming with brilliant characters like El Capitan, Tenaya Falls, and "Firefall."
"Spring storms are the harbinger of spring and provide the 'ingredients' for the reawakening of Yosemite."
Brett Archer, general manager of Tenaya at Yosemite resort
Yosemite in Spring
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Mariposa County
After four decades, Archer still describes Yosemite as “magical and awe-inspiring,” an environment known for its iconic elements like Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, but also full of surprises like when a black bear sow and her twin cubs wander through the meadow or each evening when forest fills with nocturnal calls, as heard during Tenaya’s popular “Flashlight Hikes.”
"Our guests have the freedom to adventure their way at Tenaya," he says. "We also have many programs like the Flashlight Hikes. Our guests of all ages say they experience their other senses taking over once the trails are blanketed in darkness. You listen to all these nocturnal creatures sing their songs as you wander into the forest under a blanket of stars while learning about the nighttime ecosystem of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Do not fear, though; our expert staff guides you through this adventure where you will be able to "shine" some light on what happens at Tenaya after dark!”
Changing light is a theme across Yosemite, often with spectacular and, in one vibrant instance, “Only in Yosemite” illumination.
“Firefall is a true phenomenon,” Archer says. “All the things that must come together to create this spectacular visual are amazing: perfect timing, the ideal weather conditions, and both water and light. It happens for a few short weeks in February when the sun's setting rays hit the water from Horsetail Fall perfectly to create a waterfall of fire. It’s a "WTF" moment: water, timing, fire!”
Photo by Charles Phillips
Don't fret should you miss the Firefall. Most sunrises and sunsets in Yosemite achieve legendary "snap" status. Archer recommends watching from Glacier Point as the sun ascends from behind Half Dome, splashing across the High Sierra and flooding the valley with first light. Migratory and nesting songbirds greet each morning with the "dawn chorus," an acoustic accompaniment to the sunrays and unfurled blooms.
“I also like to watch the sun dance across Half Dome as the sun sets,” he says. “It creates this warm spotlight in hues of yellows, then oranges, then brilliant reds. This phenomenon also possesses a storied name: the ‘Alpenglow.’”
Access to solar fireworks is hardly the only advantage of lodging in Tenaya at Yosemite. The Sugar Pine Railroad is one of several less-visited attractions within easy reach. Formerly a logger steam train, the railway takes passengers deep into a forest populated by towering sugar pines, many predating the logging era.
“But the train ride isn't the only adventure that awaits,” says Archer. “Gold panning, a logging museum, and the Kids' Depot Toy Store only add to this immersive experience. All Aboard!”
In addition to the historic iron horse, equestrian and human-powered expeditions offer more adventures. Wawona Stables open May-September with two-hour roundtrip trail rides. Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures lead guided one-hour and two-hour rides into Mariposa Grove.
According to Archer, getting off the beaten path on foot is as easy as stepping out Tenaya’s front door.
“You’ll find many manageable but unmaintained trails off Jackson Road that lead down to the creek where hidden waterfalls such as Tenaya Falls can be found,” he says. “Grab a pair of our complimentary snowshoes if there’s still snow on the ground. Our front desk folks are happy to map out a trail ideally suited for your interest.”
Photo by Chris Migeon
Tenaya at Yosemite is celebrating its 35th Anniversary with a renovated lobby, refreshed rooms, and new offerings to come in community spaces, including a pool at the Explorer Cabins.
"We have a few more surprises planned," says Archer. "But if I told you, they wouldn't be surprises."
Yosemite has always offered a combination of the familiar and the unexpected, a cherished environment where every hour of each day reveals something breathtaking, an ice spire detaching from Bridalveil Falls in the afternoon sun or perhaps a curious Clark’s nutcracker in the alpine caching seeds in a whitebark pine. Late winter and spring provide an ideal time to catch a glimpse of magical Yosemite forever in transition.
Visit the Yosemite Mariposa County website to plot your adventure.
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Tenaya at Yosemite is a full-service resort located just two miles from the south gate entrance to Yosemite National Park. In addition to hotel rooms and suites, guests can book Cottages and two-bedroom Explorer Cabins. Visitors will also enjoy the spa, multiple dining venues, and on-site programs, from e-bikes to horseback riding.
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“Having quiet moments like these can give you the most wondrous winter experiences.”
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Yosemite Resorts represents an array of lodging options to fit every visitor’s need. Yosemite View Lodge sits beside the roaring Merced River within minutes of the park entrance. Cedar Lodge is ideal for family groups with its own sandy beach. Indian Flat RV Park provides sites for all styles of camper. Yosemite Resorts also offers a variety of vacation homes for families and groups.
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Photo by Chris Migeon
“Grab a pair of our complimentary snowshoes if there’s still snow on the ground. Our front desk folks are happy to map out a trail ideally suited for your interest. scout for wildlife.”
Brett Archer, General Manager of Tenaya at Yosemite Resort
Later winter and spring in Yosemite provide other unique opportunities, too, such as a diverse schedule of outdoor activities where you can snowshoe and ride horses on the same day. And we visitors are hardly alone in our adventures. Bobcats and mule deer emerge in the valley, peregrine falcons return to nest on the granite promontories, and Yosemite toads inhabit freshly melted meadows to belch and breed. Seasonal tempests also rattle through, casting an impromptu light and sound show.
“Spring storms are the harbinger of spring and provide the "ingredients" for the reawakening of Yosemite,” says Brett Archer, general manager of Tenaya at Yosemite resort. “They bring the booming waterfalls and blooming wildflowers and dogwoods. They bring the next generation of Yosemite's original inhabitants: coyote, mule deer, and black bear. After a spring storm clears, blue skies, crisp temperatures, and a sense of a fresh start arrive.”
In 1985, Archer arrived in Yosemite from the Midwest right after high school to take a summer job in a hamburger stand and “never really left,” he says. “I went from flipping burgers to becoming the manager of The Ahwahnee. I moved down the road in 2018 to manage Tenaya at Yosemite, which I consider a perfect home base just outside the park."