lanard -- yeah, missed the "winter" part, but Hwy 88 and Hwy 120 get plowed, Hwy 4 does not. So, it's still doable -- and Hwy 49 is below the snow line, so is always clear. It would be worth the drive, over H-120 and back H-88, just to see it ... the Sierras are beautiful in that area. And, Columbia is in Murphy's, which is right above Angel's Camp, also Hwy 49 - no snow.
As for H-395, then - it does get snow, more than Hwy 49, which is a great drive too -- all through the gold country.
Just some thoughts anyway -- California is often odd in that area, sometimes snow, sometimes not - but Hwy 49is too low for snow.
And, right, Big Trees will probably close - too bad, it's a great campground, ever when California doesn't maintain its parks well any more. But the park areas are still great, if you can handle the park rangers and staff skipping the maintenance.
