Yosemite means “murderer” in the indigenous Miwok language, and in today’s parlance is an impressive and majestic place. Towering granite domes, sheer cliffs, turbulent rivers, crystal clear lakes, captivating waterfalls and tranquil meadows are found throughout Yosemite.
Yosemite, the third national park in the United States, is arguably worth preserving for recreation and conservation, from the park’s most famous natural features such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Mariposa Grove, and Yosemite Falls to a summer paradise. The best example of a place. Tuolumne Meadows and Glacier Point. It’s no wonder that over 5 million visitors each year admire Yosemite’s splendor.
It was here that conservationist John Muir fell deeply in love with Mother Nature and wrote an enthusiastic bulletin about the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which helped preserve it as a national park. Yosemite has not only impressed Muir, but it has lured generations of rock-he climbers who flock to the park’s challenging routes and rock faces each year. The park also continues to inspire new ways to see and experience nature. For example, the relatively new sport of slacklining was born in Yosemite by weary climbers trying new tricks between projects.
Activities in Yosemite
There are over 800 miles of hiking trails, ranging from simple his half-mile walks along the valley floor to nighttime backpacking expeditions and hikes. With 13 campgrounds and many backcountry locations, Camp 4 and Tuolumne Meadows attract a tight-knit climbing community during the summer months. Backpacks, tents and other equipment can be rented at the Yosemite Mountaineering School.
Horse riding, swimming, rafting, kayaking, skiing, fishing, even golf and hang gliding are available here. There is also Yosemite After Dark Entertainment. In addition to the events at the Yosemite Theater, other activities are planned throughout the year, including a campfire program, Photo His Hike for Kids, Twilight Walks, Night Sky Observations, Ranger Talks and Slide Shows. The Evergreen Lodge Tavern also hosts live bands on weekends.
Best views of Yosemite Valley
The park’s crown jewel, the spectacular meadow-clad Yosemite Valley, stretches seven miles (11 km) long, is bisected by the Merced River, and is surrounded by some of the most majestic granite boulders in the world. increase. Bands of water, including some of the tallest waterfalls in the United States, plummet dramatically before collapsing in a thunderstorm.A counterpoint to the sublime natural scenery is the bustling Yosemite Village.
For the best 360-degree views of the canyon, Tunnel View, at the eastern end of the Wawona Tunnel off Highway 41, is a large, crowded parking lot and lookout. It’s a short drive from the bottom of the valley. This view includes most of the valley’s landmarks. El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Falls on the right, and below is the lush valley floor with the spectacular Half Dome front and center. This vantage point is often erroneously called Inspiration Point. This point is on an old park road and is now accessible via a steep hike from the car park in his view of the tunnel.
His second view, called Valley View, is a good focal point along the way. With bottom-up (as opposed to top-down) views of the valley, it’s the perfect place to dip your toes in the Merced River and bid farewell to sights like Bridalveil Falls, Cathedral Rocks, and El Capitan. You can see the top of Half Dome in the distance. Head west from Valley on Northside Dr and look for the Valley View exit (road sign V11) about a mile past El Capitan Meadow.
The complex of buildings known as Yosemite Valley Lodge near the base of Yosemite Falls offers modern motel-like accommodations, recently upgraded restaurants including Base Camp Restaurant and Starbucks, shops, bars, bike rentals, a pool, and a tour desk. , and other amenities. The amphitheater hosts regular evening programs and the pool is open to the public.
The Yosemite Valley shuttle bus stops right outside, as does the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS). bus. Guided tram tours, ski shuttles and hiking buses all depart from here. Tickets can be purchased at the tour desk in the lobby.
Climbing El Capitan
At nearly 1600 feet high from base to summit, El Capitan is he one of the tallest granite monoliths in the world. Its rugged face made it a prime destination for experienced climbers, and it wasn’t surpassed until 1958. It has been flooded ever since. Look closely and you may spot climbers anticipating a series of cracks and outcrops on El Cap, including the famous ‘Nose’. Park along the street at night and dim your headlights.
As your eyes adjust, you can easily see the needle marks of the searchlights that dot the cliffs. Also, listen to audio. The meadow across from El Capitan is great for spotting rock climbers hanging from granite (you’ll need binoculars to get a good look). Look for the haul bag first. Bigger, more colorful, and more mobile than climbers, they are easy to spot. As part of the excellent “Ask a Climber” program, the Climb Rangers will set up telescopes on the El Capitan Bridge from 12:30pm to 4:30pm (mid-May to mid-October) to answer visitors’ questions. to answer. See Yosemite Guide List for schedule.
Half Dome
Rising 8,842 feet above sea level and nearly a mile above the valley floor, Half-His Dome is the spiritual centerpiece of the park and one of the most glorious, monumental (not to mention most famous) domes on Earth, He-1 It is considered one.
Its namesake shape is indeed an illusion. Although the dome appears to be cut neatly in half from the valley, viewing from Glacier or Washburn Point reveals it is actually a slender ridge, the summit of which is almost as steep as the fabled façade. increase. As you travel through the park, you’ll discover the many faces of Half Dome. From Mirror Lake, for example, it exhibits a powerful shape, and from Panorama Trail, it looks like a big toe sticking out over rocks and trees.
Glacier Point
Built in 1882 to replace a wagon road, the 16-mile modern Glacier Point Road leads to what many consider to be Yosemite’s most beautiful vantage point. Soaring 3200 feet above the valley floor, Glacier Point at 7214 feet offers one of the park’s most breathtaking views and sits almost flush with Half Dome.
Half Dome Village, located just below Glacier Point, is his second largest concentration of restaurants, shops and accommodations in the Yosemite Valley. Originally called Camp Curry, it was founded in 1899 by David Curry and Jenny Curry as a place where everyday visitors could find “a good bed and clean napkins at every meal.” rice field. The camp was just a handful of tents, but with David Curry’s growing entrepreneurial spirit and personality, the camp grew quickly. One of his biggest promotions in his program was his Firefall, a nightly event and major tourist attraction.
Yosemite Falls
One of the world’s most dramatic natural spectacles, Yosemite Falls is a true wonder. Naturalist John Muir devoted an entire page to his changing personality, myriad sounds, moving with the wind, and the changing seasons. No matter where you are, you can stop by a waterfall (which appears periodically from across the valley).
In the spring, the meltwater rushes into Yosemite Creek and the sight is breathtaking. Another sign of spring is the strange, non-icy, non-snowy slurry “Fragileis” that moves like lava from the base of the falls below the Yosemite Creek bridge. On nights when the falls are full and the moon is bright, especially in May and June, you may see a “moon bow” (also known as a moon rainbow or splash bow). When the spray freezes in the air in winter, a cone of ice or snow, depending on its density, forms at the bottom of the falls and can be hundreds of feet high.
To reach the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, hop off at Shuttle Stop 6 (or park in the parking lot just north of Yosemite Valley Lodge) and join the crowds for a 400-meter walk. prize. When the thaw disappears in midsummer, both the upper and lower falls usually dry out. Sometimes it will be a trickle, other times it will stop completely.
Bridalveil Fall
At the southwestern tip of Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Falls drops 620 feet. The Ahwaneechee call it Pohono (spirits of the blowing wind). Because gusts of wind often blow the fall left and right, and can even lift water into the air. This waterfall usually flows year-round, but in midsummer it only whispers. Bring rain gear or expect to get wet if it rains heavily.
Take the seasonal El Capitan Shuttle or park on the large lot where Wawona Road (Hwy 41) joins Southside Drive. meet. The trail is paved but probably too bumpy for wheelchairs and has a bit of an uphill at the end. Do not climb slippery rocks under your feet. Nobody likes fractures. Yosemite Nature Preserve plans to redesign the normally congested parking lot and trail access to make it more visitor-friendly.
If you prefer to walk out of the valley, the trail (part of the Loop Trail) continues along Southside Drive, starting near the Yosemite Heritage Conservation Center and running west to the falls for about 3.8 miles.
Tuolumne Meadows
About 55 miles from Yosemite Valley, the 8,600-foot Tuolumne Meadow is the largest subalpine meadow in the Sierra. Lush green fields, crystal clear blue lakes, jagged granite peaks and domes, and cooler temperatures provide a stunning contrast to the valleys. Wildflowers color the meadows in July or August. Hikers and climbers will find a paradise of opportunities.
Tuolumne Meadows Grill serves delicious burgers and hot dogs, as well as several salads. Seated at a picnic table outside. The Tuolumne Meadows Store has everything you need for a picnic.
Tuolumne Meadows is just off Tioga Road (Hwy 120), west of the park’s Tioga Pass entrance. The Tuolumne Meadows Hikers’ Bus runs Tioga Rd once a day for easy hiking. There is also a free Tuolumne Meadows Shuttle that runs between Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and Olmsted Point, including a stop at Tenaya Lake.
The Majestic Yosemite hotel
Almost as iconic as Half Dome itself, the elegant Majestic Yosemite Hotel has been attracting wealthy tourists through its towering doors since 1927. Of course, you don’t have to be even slightly wealthy to participate in its many attractions. In fact, no visit to Yosemite Valley is complete without strolling through the Great Lounge (aka Lobby), exquisitely decorated with stained glass, carved tiles, Native American rugs, and Turkish kilims.
Relax on the plush old sofas, admire the 10 floor-to-ceiling windows, visit the solarium, or send the kids to the walk-in fireplace (no longer in use) for a photo shoot. I can do it. You can also sneak up the back staircase and peer into a private Tudor room with stunning views of the Great Lounge. The hotel was designed by American architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who also designed Zion Lodge, Bryce Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge. If hotel lobbies sound familiar, it might be because it inspired the lobby of Stanley Kubrick’s Overlook, the ill-fated inn from The Shining.
Yosemite Ski Area
California’s ski industry basically started in Yosemite Valley, and Badger Pass (now Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area) was California’s first alpine ski resort. After Yosemite’s All Year Highway (now Highway 140) was completed in his 1926, and the Ahwahnee Hotel (now The Majestic Yosemite Hotel) opened the following year, Yosemite Valley quickly became a popular winter destination. rice field.
When the Wawona Tunnel opened in 1933, skiers began flocking to Badger Pass. In 1935, a new lodge opened on Glacier Point Road and a new device called an “upski” was installed on the pass. The crude lift he consisted of only two counterbalanced sleds worked well, and the site became the first alpine ski resort in California. A free shuttle bus operates between the valley and the Yosemite ski and snowboard area during the winter months. Wilderness permits are also available in the winter by self-registering at the A-Frame building, which is also where the first aid station and ski patrol are located. Rangers are usually in the office from 8am to 5pm.
History of Yosemite National Park
The Ahwaneechee, a group of Miwok and Paiute peoples, lived in the Yosemite area for about 4,000 years until a group of pioneers, most likely led by explorer Joseph Rutherford Walker, reached the area in 1833. In the valley alone he had an estimated 3000 people in 22 villages. During his Gold Rush, conflicts between miners and natives escalated, and in 1851 a military expedition (the Mariposa Battalion) was sent to punish the Awaneechee, eventually leading Chief Tenaya and his tribe to forced to surrender.
Stories of thundering waterfalls and towering stone pillars followed Yosemite to the Mariposa Battalion and quickly spread to the public. In 1855, San Francisco entrepreneur James Hutchings organized the first tourist party in the valley. With the publication of his travels chronicling the region’s pristine beauty, others began to follow him, and it wasn’t long before inns and roads sprang up.
Alarmed by this development, conservationists petitioned Congress to protect the area, which was successful. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, eventually deeding the Yosemite Valley and the Giant Sequoias of Mariposa to California as a state park. This landmark decision, along with the pioneering efforts of conservationist John Muir, led to the Act of Congress in 1890 creating Yosemite National Park. This paved the way for the National Park System, established in 1916.
Yosemite Tickets and Tours
Admission to Yosemite is $35 per car, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per person walking or biking.
Guided tour packages are offered by a number of third party his providers, including some inside the park and some outside its boundaries.
Yosemite Conservancy – A non-profit organization associated with the park offers multi-day courses, private trips, and seminars that are great alternatives to tours.
Sierra Club – A national non-profit environmental organization that offers both paid tours and free activities sponsored by local chapters.
Discover Yosemite Tours – Year-round coach tours from Oakhurst, Fish Camp and Bass Lake.
Aramark/Yosemite Hospitality – The park’s main concessionaire offers bus and tram tours, including the highly popular 2-hour wheelchair-accessible Valley Floor Tour and day trips from the Valley to Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows. It offers. Stop by the Tours and Activities Desk at Yosemite Valley Lodge, Half Dome Village, or Yosemite Village. Call 209-372-4386. See www.travelyosemite.com. For information and pricing, see our Yosemite guide.
Tenaya Lodge – Large family-friendly resort in Fish Camp offers his full-day park tours in luxury Mercedes-Benz retractable-roof buses to experience the natural scenery in a more natural way. I can do it. Priority given to lodge guests.
Green Tortoise – offers his 2-day ($300) and 3-day ($360) trips for backpackers from San Francisco to Yosemite. Travelers sleep in refurbished buses and campsites, cook together, choose from hiking, swimming, or just plain activities. Hanging out (and there’s always a great hanging out). Prices (which change annually) include most meals and park entrance fees. Incredible Adventures – This company uses biodiesel vans for their San Francisco-based Yosemite tours, from 1-day sightseeing tours ($159) to 3-day camping tours ($489). Park entrance fees and most meals are included, and all cooking and camping equipment is provided, except sleeping bags.