Yosemite is One of America's Most Impressive National Parks - California
Photo by Kolala Sridhar
What is It - During 2019, America's national parks attracted 327 million recreational visits by people from around the world seeking to experience the natural beauty and majesty of these locations. One of the most popular parks is the Yosemite National Park located near the eastern border of central California in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This World Heritage Site which is the size of the State of Rhode Island is known for its sheer mountains, alpine wilderness, tall sequoia trees and spectacular waterfalls.
History - Very few people other than local Native Americans knew of the existence of Yosemite prior to the California gold rush and the influx of settlers to the region in the 1850s. Over the next fifty years, prominent people took steps to set aside the land for public use and protect its natural resources. Abraham Lincoln granted a portion of the land to State of California for preservation in 1864 and in subsequent years renowned conservationist John Muir and magazine editor Robert Underwood Johnson started a national campaign to create a national park at Yosemite like Yellowstone. Congress passed legislation in 1890 designating the high country around Yosemite as a national park. But it was not until Theodore Roosevelt became President and visited the park with Muir, that the decisive step of transferring the key parcels in Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the federal government was completed.
Photo by Kolala Sridhar
Popular Locations and Activities
The National Park Service has been working in recent years to reduce overcrowding at popular destinations by sometimes requiring reservations to drive into the park. In addition, it encourages visitors to Yosemite Valley to use the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle Service. The shuttle buses operate from 7 am to 10 pm and they stop at twenty locations such as the Visitor’s Center, the campgrounds, rental offices, valley hotels, and trailheads leading to sites.
There are dozens of beautiful places to visit in Yosemite. The more popular ones are:
Yosemite Falls – The Yosemite Falls are a special site to see in the spring and early summer when a torrent of water emerges from the top of the cliff and plunges down the granite wall in two separate sections before crashing on the rocks at the base. The two Yosemite Falls drop 2,424 feet making it the highest waterfall in North America and the fifth highest in the world.
Some people enjoy viewing the falls from the distant overlook at Glacier Point which provides an impressive view of the entire Valley while others take the falls trail that runs behind the Yosemite Lodge to the base and enjoy cooling off in the spray on hot days.
Half Dome – Another impressive feature of Yosemite is the 8800-foot-tall Half Dome granite plutonic rock formation that towers over the valley. While looking like a flat wall from some vantage points like Mirror Lake, its dome like shape is more apparent from other places like Glacier Point. This formation was created when the glaciers receded, and a large part of the mountain fell away.
Photo by Kolala Sridhar
El Capitan – The sheer rockface of El Capitan rises 3593 feet above the west side of Yosemite Valley. For over 125 years, climbers have coveted reaching the summit by various methods. George Anderson, one of the valley’s early settlers drilled holes for spikes and was the first climber in the late 1800s. He later ran a tour business taking people to the top. More recently, an American Alex Honnold climbed to the top on his own without ropes in under four hours. Despite these remarkable climbs, thirty people have died over the past century in unsuccessful attempts.
Mirror Lake - Mirror Lake is seasonal lake that often dries up into a meadow during the summer. It is known for its beautiful setting and reflections of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon in the water. It is a popular spot for visitors to take photographs and for families to go swimming as I did with my son years ago. The lake is located slightly more than a mile from the Mirror Lake shuttle stop and it is a pleasant walk or bike ride up to the lake.
Mariposa Grove – The Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias trees is located thirty-six miles from Yosemite Valley at the south entrance to the National Park. A seasonal shuttle service provides an excellent way to see the forest and learn about the natural history of these ancient trees including the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest giant sequoias in the world.
Bridalveil Fall – Bridalveil Fall located on the south side of the valley is another beautiful site. Its tribal name is “Spirit of the Puffing Wind” because of the way the water is lifted and blown from side to side by the wind. The fall along with Half Dome and El Capitan can be seen best from the nearby Tunnel View during the afternoon. It can also be reached by short trail.
There are many other activities and experiences for visitors to enjoy at Yosemite besides looking at these natural wonders. Hiking and backpacking, camping, swimming, river rafting, biking, bird watching, and nature photography are popular during warmer months, while mountain and cross-country skiing attract visitors in winter.
Photo by Kolala Sridhar
Interesting Facts - The National Park Service describes the interesting geologic history of Yosemite as follows: “The story of Yosemite landscape began about five hundred million years ago when the Sierra Nevada region lay beneath an ancient sea. Thick layers of sea-bed sediments eventually were folded and twisted and thrust above sea level. Simultaneously molten rock welled up from deep within the earth and cooled slowly below the sediment layers to form granite. Erosion wore away nearly all the overlying rock, exposing the granite. Even as uplifts still were forming the Sierras, water and then glaciers worked at carving Yosemite’s face. Weathering and erosion still shape it today.”
When to Go – Daily maximum temperatures range from 48 degrees in December to 90 degrees in July and August in Yosemite Valley. However, nights can be quite cool even in the summer and the temperature is usually 10 to 20 degrees less at higher elevations. Since some of the mountain roads used to access the park or visit sites close in the fall and flows in the waterfalls and lakes peak in late May, the most comfortable months to enjoy the park and be able to hike, bike and swim is from June to September. There is also little precipitation during those months.
Where to Stay – The two main hotels in Yosemite Valley along the shuttle route and close to main sites are the Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee. Both have long histories as prime locations to stay but early reservations are a necessity. These hotels can be fully booked and quite costly during the summer season. People willing to drive to the park each day find it convenient to stay at hotels located in El Portal or along Highway 120 to the west.