Yosemite National Park

About Yosemite National Park it was said "It is by far one of the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter" by American naturalist John Muir. One cannot help but be astounded by the views of the park. The park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1984 and with good reason. The amazing granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, quiet clear streams and groves of Giant Sequoia trees makes this land truly unique. Located in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, the elevations range from 2,000 to 13,114 feet. The Yosemite valley was formed by the interaction of glaciers with the underlying rock. The canyons, domes, peaks and waterfalls are all a result of this glacial action.

The Yosemite National Park's coniferous forests offer a flourishing habitat for the over 400 species of vertebrates. You will often find bobcat, grey fox, white-headed woodpecker, and Spotted Owl to name a few. In the valley, one can see mule deer and black bear while at higher elevations there are Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, chickaree and hermit thrush. A re-population of Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep exist in the Tioga Pass area.

Among the activities available are hiking, biking, camping and ranger led activities. http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

Yosemite National Park is a popular tourist attraction, boasting beautiful waterfalls, amazing granite cliffs, many steams, rivers and giant Sequoias.

• Waterfalls: Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Ribbon Fall, Horsetail Fall, Illilouette Fall, Wapama Falls, Chilnualna Falls. Peak times to see any of the falls is May and June as buy August most of the falls are not more then a trickle. The trails range from wheel-chair accessible to strenuous.
• Rock Formations: Half-Dome, El Capitan, Cathedral Rock and Spires, Three Brothers, Sentinel Rock, Glacier Point. All of these rock formations can be seen from the roads.
• Giant Sequoias: Seen at Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove. The most accessible is Mariposa Grove. Some sequoias can be seen from the parking lot and there is a tram tour that runs from May to October. If the road is closed you may travel by foot.
• Viewpoints: Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Olmsted Point, El Portal View, O'Shaugnessy Dam, Pothole Dome, El Capitan Meadow, Valley View, Sentinel Meadow, Yosemite Chapel, Sentinal Bridge. There are many other beautiful views and if you spot a lookout you should take some time and check it out. http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

• El Capitan - 3,593 foot vertical wall of granite has the most challenging and difficult rock climbing in the lower 48 states.
• Half Dome - 8,842 feet. One of the most recognized peaks in the park. It has been called, "The grandest monolith on earth". http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Yosemite/Yosemite3.html
• Sentinel Rock
• Tuolumne Meadows
• Yosemite Falls

Roadwork is being done in the park. Expect delays in the following areas:

• Beginning April 2010, Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41 from Fresno)
• In July and August 2010, Tioga Road from May Lake to Tioga Pass (Highway 120 through the park)

For more information on road conditions call 209/372-0200 (press 1 then 1)http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

• Amazon.com: National Geographic Destination Map: Yosemite National Park

• Yosemite Library: Online Yosemite Books

• Bearclover.net: Yosemite Books

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