Where to play in Sierra snow near Fresno: Shaver Lake, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon
Snow has returned to the majestic Sierra Nevada, with more mountain storms on the way.
Enjoy a winter wonderland at numerous spots for sledding, tubing, snowman-making and snowball fighting above Fresno and the surrounding central San Joaquin Valley.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular destinations for snowy family fun.
Shaver and Huntington lakes
There are designated Sno-Park locations along Highway 168 between Shaver and Huntington lakes, named Coyote, Tamarack, Eastwood and Huntington Lake. The Balsam Meadows snow park location was reported as currently closed.
Permits are required to park at these sites. Day permits are $5. Season permits are $25. They can be purchased online at ohv.parks.ca.gov or at a number of businesses listed on fs.usda.gov. More information is also available by calling the Sno-Parks hotline at 916-324-1222.
Yosemite National Park
Goat Meadow Snowplay Area in Sierra National Forest just outside Yosemite’s south entrance along Highway 41 in Fish Camp is a beloved destination for snow play enthusiasts.
Crane Flat Campground near the junction of Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) and Tioga Road in Yosemite also turns into a snow play area in winter.
Badger Pass Ski Area Snow Tubing Area up Glacier Point Road offers more snow fun with a $17 fee per person for two hours. Tube rentals are available.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Wolverton snow play area is an open area with sledding hills two miles north of the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park off Highway 198 (Generals Highway).
Big Stump and Columbine snow play areas are in the Grant Grove section of Kings Canyon National Park via Highway 180.
In the northern section of nearby Giant Sequoia National Monument via Highway 180, there are Quail Flat, Big Meadows and Cherry Gap snow play areas.
Winter weather: Snowstorms on the way
More snow is expected to fall in the Sierra starting Sunday morning, continuing into Tuesday, said Jim Andersen, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford.
Snow is expected at elevations above 4,000 feet, with the snowline potentially dropping lower as the storm progresses.
There will be two storm systems, with only a short break between them expected Monday. These storms should bring 8 to 10 inches of snow at higher elevations, and around 3 to 6 inches at lower levels, Andersen said.
These aren’t expected to be “blockbuster” storms, Andersen said, but the winter weather so far appears to be “normalish” – although precipitation started a little later this year.
Some rain is expected in the Fresno area and surrounding central San Joaquin Valley during this time – likely up to a quarter-inch of precipitation on the eastern edge of the Valley and foothills. There’s a high-wind watch in effect in Kern County, with strong winds possible before storms start, including over the Grapevine.
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 11:41 AM.
