Yosemite wasn't the first but it is one of the most amazing National Parks. It is almost 1,200 square miles of mostly wilderness, undeveloped land, filled with waterfalls, soaring rock cliffs, massive mountains, deep valleys, grand meadows and some of the oldest living things on earth, the giant sequoias.
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Yosemite Vacation Plans
No matter where you stay, either at a hotel or rental in Yosemite valley or a cabin near Yosemite valley, there are some things you just want to make sure you see if you are visiting. While you are in the valley be sure and look up. Half Dome is awe-inspiring. It soars 4,733 feet above the valley. Across the valley is El Capitan a 3593-foot vertical wall of granite. The waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Falls, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall are all near the valley. One fall deserves special mention and is often missed because it falls into deep recesses in the rocks and dries up by the summer, that's Ribbon Fall. It is the highest in the park, at 1612 feet, and one of the highest in the world. Whether you are travelling alone or as part of an organized tour group, you don't want to miss these.
Visiting Yosemite National Park
For visitors and tourists at Yosemite National Park, three other places deserve special mention. Glacier Point is reached by a seasonal road, that means it is closed by snow in the winter but usually opens in late May. It is on the south side of Yosemite Valley, 3200 feet above the valley floor. It provides a panoramic view of Yosemite valley, the falls and the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada beyond. The Mariposa Grove is south of Yosemite Valley just inside the southern park entrance. The Mariposa Grove is a stand of giant sequoias. Some of the trees are believed to be over 2500 years old. The other must see during any visit to Yosemite National Park is Tuolumne Meadows. It is up in the high country, about 8600 feet above sea level. Tuolumne Meadows is a large, open sub-alpine meadow with the winding Tuolumne River flowing through the area. Majestic peaks and domes, including Lambert dome at the eastern end, surround it. The area is great for skiing, hiking and mountain climbing.
Visiting Yosemite National Park has been described by some as a religious or spiritual experience. You'll even find an historic chapel there, which is a perfect setting for a Yosemite wedding. But if you'd rather go it alone, the farther you get away from the crowds the more nature you'll find.
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Yosemite Tour
Yosemite National Park plays host to close to 4 million visitors each year. Most of those people visit Yosemite Valley, as do many of the official tours, but there is much, much more to Yosemite National Park. The valley is the place to see many of the famous waterfalls, Half Dome and El Capitan, and many tour groups do, but outside the valley are many other wondrous places. The Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias sits just inside the park's southern entrance and Tuolumne Meadows is an alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada. Tuolumne Meadows is part of what is called the high country in Yosemite. It is an area to backpack and get away from the crowds. There are even a number of wineries nearby. The Mariposa area and Madera county have the right soil and climate for wine making. You may want to schedule a visit or even book a limousine winery tour at some point during your stay.
History of Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is the result of a number of natural events that started millions of years ago. Yosemite Valley was originally carved by the Merced River, which still flows from the high country over numerous waterfalls and through the valley. Then about a million and half years ago, a series of ice ages began and glaciers formed. As they pushed down into the valley, they tore along the valley walls and widened the valley. After the glaciers, a lake formed and over many years, it silted up, leaving the level valley floor of today.
The People
No one can say when Native Americans first came to Yosemite but it is estimated they lived in the valley for close to 4,000 years before the arrival of Americans. Seven present-day tribes descend from the people who first called this area home, the Ahwahneechee. The first white men to see the valley are believed to arrived in 1833. They were followed by others who spread the word about the beauty of the area. In 1851, the Mariposa Battalion entered Yosemite Valley to remove the Ahwahneechee. As more people came conservations agitated for protections. President Abraham Lincoln signed an 1864 bill granting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the State of California. Four years after that John Muir saw Yosemite Valley for the first time. That started a lifelong quest to protect not just the valley but also the rest of the area. In 1890, he finally convinced congress to turn the area surrounding Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove into a national park. Sixteen years later California turned its land back to the federal government and the present boundaries of Yosemite National Park were established.
Development
The 20th century saw an explosion of growth in Yosemite, most of it in Yosemite Valley. Buildings and other development, including roads were built to handle the growing crowds. In 1997, a major flooding of the Merced River swept many buildings and campgrounds away. Since that time, the National Park Service has rethought development in the valley and devised a new master plan. When fully implemented the plan calls for fewer cars and more mass transit in and out of the valley. That doesn't mean there isn't still development in Yosemite Valley.
The Ahwahnee Hotel
One of the grandest buildings in Yosemite Valley is the Ahwahnee Hotel. It was built in 1927 and stands six stories high. It was designed to blend into the natural environment. The dining hall is 130 feet long and can sit 350 people at a time. There are numerous huge fireplaces in the public spaces of the Ahwahnee Hotel. During World War II, it was used by the military as a convalescent center. Visitors to the Ahwahnee Hotel have views of many of the major points of interest in Yosemite Valley including Glacier Point, Half Dome, the Royal Arches and Yosemite Falls.
Yosemite Village
Yosemite Village sits in the center of Yosemite Valley. It is where you will find the visitor center, the Indian Cultural Exhibit and the Ansel Adams Gallery. It is a good place to get your bearings for the rest of the area. There are also stores and places to get food in Yosemite Village. Nearby you'll find Yosemite Lodge, which has accommodations as well as restaurants. Curry Village is also on the valley floor. This may be one of the busiest places in the park with motel rooms, cabins and 427 canvas tent cabins. There are a number of places to get food in Curry Village as well.
Weather
The weather at Yosemite National Park varies depending on the season and on the elevation. The valley, which is at 4000 feet, is usually warm and dry in the summer. Winter is wet and not that cold with highs in the 40's. Outside the valley, things are very different. Snow closes many roads, especially in the high country. Insects can be a problem during the summer months. Spring may be one of the best times to visit the valley. Some high country roads will still be closed at this time but the snow is melting, the waterfalls are roaring and the weather is nice.
