Yosemite Park

Yosemite Park Yosemite National Park is framed by soaring snow-covered, granite peaks carved during the Ice Age, adorned with world-famous waterfalls and welcomes over 3.5 million people each year. The park is open year-round but winter weather conditions may require the use of tire chains and force the closure of some trails and roadways.

History of Yosemite Park

In 1864, President Lincoln declared Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove the first state preserve, placing the lands under California’s jurisdiction and retaining federal control over the surrounding areas. Dual control proved to be disastrous. Overgrazing was destroying the meadows, the Giant Sequoia were being harvested and the valley was being quickly overbuilt.

John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, and others fought to stop the destruction. Their efforts led to the area being designated as “reserved forest lands” in 1890 but left the original split ownership in place. A week long fire in the Illilouette basin in 1903 and the ensuing dispute over its extinguishment further demonstrated the problems of dual control. California approved recession in 1905 and in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt unified the lands. The reserve was later officially designated as Yosemite National Park in 1916.

Yosemite Plantlife

Elevations range from around 2,000 feet to over 13,000 feet above sea level creating five distinct temperate zones within the park. Wildflowers and lichen grow in every zone, creating splashes of color among lush green foliage and towering gray, granite peaks. From the tiny lichen to the Giant Sequoias, to the California Black Oaks and the Jeffrey pine with their odd vanilla scent, exploring the plant life of Yosemite is an adventure in botany worth taking. John Muir proclaimed, “Never was mountain forest more lavishly furnished.” For more extensive information about Yosemite’s plant and wildlife, please visit: Nature in Yosemite National Park .

Yosemite Wildlife

The towering trees, soaring granite peaks, dramatic waterfalls and wildflower strewn meadows of Yosemite host a huge variety of wildlife. Guests are reminded to enjoy the black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, porcupines, western rattlesnakes and feral pigs from a safe distance. A safer and more personal encounter is likely with the chipmunks, squirrels and Steller’s jays who often compete for food handouts. Yosemite is also one of the few places in the United States to view the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep in the wild.

A total of 90 species of mammals live in Yosemite. The park is designated as a “Globally Important Bird Area” with 256 documented species of birds and is home to 111 species of butterflies, 60 of which are rare Alpine varieties.

Yosemite Peaks

The Sierra Nevada mountain range was formed as huge granite deposits started to uplift and were further exposed by receding glaciers. Located in Yosemite National Park, El Capitan is the largest granite monolith in the world at 3,000 feet tall. Facing El Capitan across the Yosemite Valley are the 2,700 foot tall Cathedral Spires.

Not all of Yosemite’s peaks were polished smooth by receding glaciers. The Three Brothers on the north rim of the valley are jagged and rough. Some of the most photographed and explored granite exfoliation domes can also be found within Yosemite. The North Dome, Sentinel Dome, Basket Dome and Half Dome were created between 86 and 120 million years ago. Glacier Point can be reached by trail, tour bus or via Glacier Point Road. Hikers can ride the bus to Glacier Point and hike back to Yosemite Valley on the Four Mile Trail or Panorama Trail.

Yosemite Waterfalls

Yosemite’s 19 named waterfalls are primarily fed by snowmelt. Many only flow for a few months of the year. Some waterfalls can only be viewed from trails considered strenuous during the warmer months and extremely hazardous during the winter months when snow and/or ice may cover the trails.

Less adventurous souls still can enjoy many of the park’s waterfalls from scenic turnouts along the park’s paved roads, short trails considered an easy hike and even a number of parking lots. Half of the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is handicapped accessible so everyone in the family can visit America’s tallest measured falls and even catch a bit of spray at the base of the falls.

For more info please visit: The Waterfalls of Yosemite.

Yosemite Activities

Winter sports activities include skiing at Badger Pass, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing on Glacier Point Road and ice skating in Curry Village. During the warmer months, Yosemite offers the following outdoor activities:

Hiking & Backpacking: trails range from paved, wheelchair accessible walkways to a steep, 600 step granite stairway on the Mist Trail. Overnight trips require wilderness permits. Permits are now required on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays to hike the Half Dome Trail above the subdome when the cables are up.
Rock Climbing: rockfalls and peregrine falcon nest sites are off limits but rock climbers in Yosemite are mainly limited by their own skills. Conservation regulations have been put in place and should be followed.
Bicycling: peddle along several miles of paved track on your own or a rented bike. Off-trail riding and mountain biking are prohibited.
Water Sports: 2 public pools and all waterways except the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and the waterways above waterfalls are open for swimming. Guests are asked to use the sandy beaches along the Merced River. Rafting is permitted on sections of the Merced River along with non-motorized, human powered boats. Kayakers may prefer Tenaya Lake’s calm waters .
Fishing: regulated by the State of California, the park is open to fishing year-round but some waterways have a prescribed season, bait restrictions and catch limits.
Hunting: prohibited within Yosemite National Park.
Picnicking: picnic areas are available throughout the park, most have tables, toilets and garbage receptacles; none have potable water. Space is first-come, first-served.
Camping: 13 seasonal and year-round campgrounds and 5 backcountry campgrounds are scattered throughout the park. Some of the 1,504 campsites require advance reservations and others are first-come, first-served. Amenities vary and pets are not welcome at all of the campgrounds.
Horseback Riding: a number of trails are designated as bridle paths and the Wawona, Bridalveil Creek and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds offer horse campsites (reservations required).

Other park attractions include:

Yosemite Museum: experience Yosemite as it was in the 19th century and learn about Yosemite’s Miwok and Paiute Indian settlements.
Yosemite Art & Education Center: purchase original art and art supplies or attend a four-hour art workshop.
Nature Center at Happy Isles: a great place for families to learn about Yosemite’s natural history. Free admission.
Pioneer Yosemite History Center: shares the history of Yosemite and its role in the National Park system.