• START HERE!
    • ABOUT CARLY
    • CONTACT
  • FASHION
  • BODY POSITIVITY
  • GIRL POWER
  • SD LIFE
  • DISNEY
  • SHOP MY INSTAGRAM
  • SHOP MY FAVES

Lipgloss and Crayons

Travel

Yosemite in April: What to Pack

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website. This post may also contain items gifted for consideration.

Visiting Yosemite in April? Here are the most important things to pack!

Visiting Yosemite in April? Here are the most important things to pack!

We just got home from visiting Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada area and Bass Lake, Ca……and had a total blast (no wonder they are one of the most popular destinations in North America).  As the seasons change, a spring visit to Yosemite in April is the best time for hiking, seeing waterfalls, and truly enjoying all that the Yosemite Valley has to offer. We found the weather to be great……not too hot and not too cold (no wonder this is peak season for trips, this is a great time to explore the entire park with mostly sunny days).  And since we had done our research, we packed just the right items for layering clothes and making each experience as comfortable as possible.  With a little preparation, April in Yosemite National Park is perfect for family vacations!

For a full family travel guide, check out our blog post on a family visit to Bass Lake and Yosemite!

Yosemite in April: What to Pack

The weather is a huge factor in what you'll need to pack for a Bass Lake and Yosemite visit. Keep in mind, in higher elevations, the higher you go, the cooler the weather will be (it tends to be about 15 degrees warmer in lower elevations like Bass Lake than in Yosemite on the valley floor and up into the hiking areas). You can anticipate that this time of year the mornings and evenings will be cool (around 30 to 40 degrees) and that daytime will be between 50 and 70 degrees.  It CAN still rain and snow in Yosemite in April, but it's not as frequent and you will see quite a bit of snow melt starting to happen.  For our trip? Neither was predicted.

Visiting Yosemite in April? Here are the most important things to pack!

Note, if you are planning to head to the Mariposa Grove or up north to the Tuolumne Grove these will most likely still have snow.  Plan accordingly.

Activities: As you're packing, make a list of planned activities so that you can be sure you're prepared.  For us? We had kayaking around Bass Lake on the agenda (during a cooler morning), hiking the Mist Trail or to Lower Yosemite Falls (this is a great easy trail option and a good idea for hiking newbies), visiting Glacier Point for spectacular views, stopping for a great view of El Capitan, and taking some time to picnic in Tuolumne Meadows, even our first time ax throwing on the list of activities.  Almost everything was outside, and we were definitely going to be physically active (during our visit the shuttle buses and public transportation options weren't running, so we planned on walking).  So for me? Comfort and function were key.

Clothing: In general, I wanted comfortable clothes that were made for being physically active.  We packed a ton of easily layerable items from Athleta (Lydia had items from Athleta Girl).  They were perfect for morning to night wear, and did a great job layered.  We wore long pants or joggers each day, and then layered tee shirts, sweatshirts and lighter jackets during the day.  At night or in the early morning, we switched our lighter jackets for heavier ones (we also brought rain gear just in case but ended up not needing it, we had average temperatures for early april during our trip).  Almost everywhere in the Yosemite Valley is casual, people head to dinner after a day of hiking…..so there is no need to pack fancier clothes.

Shop our Clothes:

Jackets: Since the temperature varies greatly in Yosemite in April, jackets are key to being comfortable.  I packed a lighter jacket for myself that was perfect for daytime use (and so did Lydia).  During the morning and evenings we used gloves, hats, and a heavier jacket.

Shop our Jackets:

Hiking Boots and Socks: I did a LOT of research about hiking boots.  The last thing I wanted was to be uncomfortable while hiking the popular trails to the epic waterfalls that Yosemite is so famous for.  Unlike my usual overpacking, I packed a pair of sneakers and a pair of hiking boots for this trip….and that was IT.  I wore the hiking boots everyday (even off the hiking trails), and the sneakers were just for the drive to and from San Diego.  So a great pair of hiking boots? Will be pretty much all you need (and a cleaner pair of shoes).

Shop Our Hiking Boots and Socks:

Backpack: No purses necessary.  I brought one great backpack (one of my favorite leather backpacks) that worked for everything from carrying food on hikes to keeping my camera dry while kayaking, to even a small guide to spring wildflowers.

Shop my Favorite Backpacks:

Other than these staples…….I'd suggest packing sunscreen (yes you can still get sunburned in the winter and spring), a great camera, cell phone battery packs, and snacks (remember to only throw food into the correct cans — there are tons of black bears in the park), and a bottle for carrying plenty of water.  Worst case? You can grab anything you need at the visitor center, but it will cost more than buying at home and carrying it in.

Visiting Yosemite in April? Here are the most important things to pack!

Have you been to Yosemite in April? What is on your must pack list?

0 Leave a Comment

Subscribe to L&C Weekly!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous The Best At-Home Manicure Kit
Next Fostering Conversations with Kids: Underage Drinking

Related Posts

Best Kids Activities in Columbia South Carolina

Tropical Vacation Outfits

Bass Lake: A Family Travel Guide

Big Bear Family Activities

Primary Sidebar

Search

NEW? START HERE

DISCLAIMER

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Five years ago. This exact place. Robbie had jus Five years ago.  This exact place.  Robbie had just finished two years of grad school.  And it had been a long, tough two years.  That year involved one major teacher strike in my district, many many many jobs and gigs for both of us, minimal time off together, a whole lot of unknowns and a whole lot of stress.The Disney and Aulani team probably had no idea that they were giving us the gift of much needed peaceful time together when they invited us on a trip to this magical place.  A trip that….to be honest, was beyond our means at the time.  We cherished every moment. A lot has happened since then.  A move, buying a house, seeing those years of hard work pay off.  And now….we did it.  We’re back.  Lazy river here we come. TLDR? If you’re in the thick of it, I see you.  We’ve been there. Family, Welcome Home……we did it.  Aulani for the week.
Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled muscle? I should have known better.  When training for my race, I didn’t stretch or warm up enough most days and….here we are.Lesson learned.  I’m 4 weeks post race (do not recommend running a 10k on a pulled muscle) and I’m……almost better.  I’m learning to stretch and walk and to take better care of myself so that I can start running again REALLY soon (we’re almost there I think).For now? I’m doing recovery walks and trying to strengthen my leg.  And trying to make sure I get enough protein.  When I talked about Built Bars on my stories, a LOTTTTT of you raced about their Puffs.  Yup, I get it.  They’re AMAZING.  I’ve been bringing them along on my walks (and gluten free friends….they have some great options for us).Have you ever pulled a muscle? What was recovery like for you?#youGOTTAtrythis #BUILTProtein #BUILT #BUILTbar partner
💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zo 💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zoo (and swipe to the end for a close up)⠀⠀🌴Coming to San Diego for Spring Break or a Summer Vacation?⠀⠀📍Let’s talk San Diego Zoo (and yes, I got off a plane yesterday, picked up Lydia and we spent the afternoon at the zoo…..it was LOVELY).⠀⠀A few things to help you plan visits to San Diego and the Zoo:⠀1️⃣ the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are NOT close together.  The Zoo is close to downtown, the Safari Park is about 25 miles north.  I’d suggest one day at each.  They’re totally unique and both worth a visit.  The Safari Park is smaller, but has REALLY unique exhibits (Walkabout Australia is my favorite).⠀2️⃣ both have some really fun and unique dining experiences that you can reserve in advance: Albert’s at the Zoo is a FANCY and fun sit down option, and The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook at the Safari Park is great for happy hour or a fun lunch ⠀3️⃣ there are great kids play areas at both locations, the Wildlife Explorers Base Camp area at the San Diego Zoo is brand new and absolutely amazing⠀⠀✨ Now, a bonus tip.  Undercover Tourist now has NATIONWIDE savings on over 500 attractions in 50 cities and up to 25% on tickets for theme parks, zoo, museums, aquariums, city tours, water parks, and movie tickets. And the deals they have for San Diego?  AMAZING (I’m sharing details in my stories).⠀⠀@themeparkfrog #UncoverSavingsNationwide #ad
In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the b In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the bridge without permission.⠀⠀I grew up about 20 minutes from San Francisco, on the OTHER side of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Yes, you know that opening scene in Full House where they’re driving across the bridge? I was on the other side of that.  And one of MOST parents’ rules where I grew up? No going into the city without permission.  Sorry mom and dad, it’s been long enough…..now I can disclose that we broke that rule constantly.⠀⠀San Francisco is my favorite city.  It’s intimate and moody and filled with history and some of the best food in the world.  It reminds me of childhood trips to the zoo and Golden Gate Park, it reminds me of my first apartment after college and my first serious relationship.  It reminds me of 22 year old carefree nights with friends and milkshakes at Mels in high school and coffee in North Beach and nights in the Marin Headlands (the closest we were supposed to get to the bridge).⠀⠀So when I had the opportunity to spend 20 hours in my city by the Bay? I took it.⠀⠀Photo Diary:⠀1) nothing like a hotel room to yourself ⠀2) basically drove through a monsoon in San Diego yesterday to make it to the airport⠀3) through the fog? You can see the Golden Gate Bridge⠀4) SFO ⠀5) drove right through North Beach where my mom lived until she was 2, and texted her this photo of a church where she remembers going to weddings as a child⠀6) dinner with Dove, talking about the importance of diversity and representation in gaming avatars ⠀7 and 8) anyone else got a roblox fan in their house? Dove is changing the game (pun intended) and we love to see it.⠀⠀Have you been to San Francisco?
Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer? What’s your ideal?⠀Figured this was a good day to ask since….I’m boarding a plane this morning for a VERY quick trip.⠀❤️Over on stories, we are playing this or that. We’re making this a regular little weekly coffee chat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀☕️So, five of you will get a coffee on me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Want to join in?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀1) like this post⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀2) answer the polls in stories⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀3) tag a friend in comments, or tell me what your ideal vacation looks like, and how you’d get there!
  • Collaborate
  • Speaking
  • Contact Carly
  • PRESS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fashion
  • Body Positivity
  • Girl Power
  • SD Life
  • Disney
  • Travel
  • Highlights

© 2019 LIPGLOSS AND CRAYONS  |  SITE DESIGN: MLL DESIGN STUDIO  & FUZE BRANDING