Day: October 29, 2009

Yosemite National Park lies in the heart of California. With its ‘hanging’ valleys, many waterfalls, cirque lakes, polished domes, moraines and U-shaped valleys, it provides an excellent overview of all kinds of granite relief fashioned by glaciation. At 600–4,000 m, a great variety of flora and fauna can also be found here.

Yosemite is one of the major parks in the US and one of the first national parks in the US Park Service. The Yosemite valley is one of the most photographed and special places in the country. If I had to come up with a short list of places to visit in the United States, this would be near the top of the list.

Overview

Yosemite National Park is a unit of the US National Park Service and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was inscribed into the UNESCO list in 1984 for its natural importance. The park spans three counties in Northern California with over 3,000 square kilometers in land area. Since it was established as a national park in 1890, Yosemite National Park gets an annual number of more than 5 million visitors.

The Yosemite Valley and part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range forms majority of the park. This park is internationally recognized for its unique geological features that include granite cliffs, clear streams, mountains, glaciers, giant sequoia groves, waterfalls and its rich biological diversity.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park was recognized by UNESCO for its showcase of how glacial erosion on granitic bedrock can result in one of the most unique geological features in the world. These glaciations took place for millions of years in order to produce what the current state of the park is, along with unique formations such as free-flowing waterfalls, domes and soaring cliffs.

Yosemite is also home to 5 of the highest waterfalls in the world. In addition, there are three groves of giant sequoia within the park. This is one of the alpine meadows, deeply incised valleys and the diversity of life zones within its protected property. Roughly 5% of the landforms within the park were derived from volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

The Yosemite Valley might consist only of one percent of what the park has to offer, but it is also the most popular spot for tourists to visit. Hence, it speaks a lot about the magnitude of this park in terms of size and features. The Tunnel View is the most iconic view of the valley for visitors who visit the park. It is also the most photographed part of the park. El Capitan is another notable attraction in Yosemite National Park. It is a granite cliff that prominently looms over the Yosemite Valley. It is also a popular destination for avid rock climbers.

Tips: Yosemite National Park

Before you visit the Yosemite National Park, here are some practical tips and information you need to know:

The weather in the park varies according to the time of year. Rainfall is at a minimum during the summer months. However, spring brings with it some rainfall to the park. Winter is not the best time to visit as heavy snowfall could be dumped into the park without notice.

There are guided tours available for visitors who want to explore the Yosemite National Park. You can find trails that lead to some of the park’s most notable waterfalls and other geologic features. There are also history walks and interpretive programs at various times of the year.

There is a camping ground at the park, which can accommodate up to 9,000 people.

The term Yosemite was named after a renegade tribe that once inhabited the area but was driven out until they became extinct.

Wildlife

The Yosemite National Park is home to many wildlife creatures and species. In fact, it is home to as much as 400 animal species. Among the most notable wildlife species that inhabit the park include mule deer, foxes, black bears, and other mammals. Meanwhile, bighorn sheep inhabit the higher parts of the park, near the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

In addition to the aforementioned wildlife species, there is also a significant amount of bird population within the park. You might be able to spot great gray owls and California spotted owls during your visit.