Hello,
I was wondering if anyone had advice for the temps at Tuolumne Meadows for the first week of July? I'm sure it could vary greatly from year to year, but I'm just curious about how cold it gets at night. Should I just use the temps at the valley floor and subtract 3.6 degrees per 1000' of elevation difference? I went there once at the end of September in 2009 after staying in the valley for a few days. The days were incredible, but the nights were a little cold. I was fine in my sleeping bag, but once it started to get cold I wanted to crawl into bed even though it was very early.

Thank You

You should prepare for freezing temperature before dawn.

--B.G.--

I have seen a fair amount of variance over the years… lows between 15-50. I typically expect around freezing. But you can at least see what's been happening by looking at the toulumne meadows weather station.

Edited by verber on 06/17/2012 22:20:46 MDT.

Hi,

I assume you mean the Tuolumne Meadows car campground?

I have always found it to be cold there. (Colder than most equivalent camping areas located just below 9000 feet.) It's in deep trees and near a big creek; both of those factors tend to make a site much colder than the surrounding terrain.

However, it'll probably be warmer (maybe considerably so) than at the end of September.

If you don't have a reservation there, consider trying to find a nicer campground. I guess I am not a fan of that one. It's so dark.

- Elizabeth

The large TM campground (behind the store/PO) contains a large Backpacker's area (about 15 sites) near its center that is not reservable. It is first come, first served. Only backpackers are allowed to use it. I've seen the rangers order car campers out of it. I've also seen them come through in the evening asking folks to double up when the number of BPers exceeds the supply of sites.

All the other sites in the CG are reservable in advance, so your chances of finding an open site during high season are about zero.

Mark,
Thanks for the link. That is exactly what I was looking for, but could not find. As most everyone has said, appears to be freezing temps there at the moment.

Hello Elizibeth,
Thanks for the comments. No I don't have reservations at Tuolumne Meadows campground yet, but for the campsites that are reservable, that is all that is left in Yosemite that is available. Yes I am talking about car camping and just trying to day hike. What are some of the nicer campgrounds you are referring to in Yosemite? I have only stayed at Tuolumne and the valley floor. I was thinking about Porcupine Flat or White Wolf, but I don't know anything about those locations and I can't make reservations.

Thank You, James.