Yosemite National Park is located in the central Sierra Nevada of California, at the
eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa, and Madera counties in east central of
California. The park covers an area of 3,081 km² and reaches across the western slopes
of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. The park is approximately the size of Rhode Island
State.
Yosemite was made during the last Ice Age . The granite bedrock was turned into bare
peaks, sheer cliffs, rounded domes and huge monoliths. Yosemite is one of the largest
and least fragmented habitat blocks in the Sierra Nevada. Now flowering meadows fill
the valley and beautiful waterfalls surround it. Geological evolution, and Biological
adaptation is evident. Breathtaking panoramas of rugged scenery, thousands of lakes,
2,600 km of streams, 1300 km of hiking trails, 560 km of roads, and huge variety of
plant and animal life are incomparable this valley.
The park has an elevation range from 600 to 4,000 m. and contains five major vegetation
zones: wooded area of oak trees, groves of low mountains, high mountain vegetation, sub
alpine vegetation, and alpine vegetation. Of California's 7,000 plant species, about 50%
is in the Sierra Nevada and more than 20% within Yosemite.
Elsewhere in Yosemite National Park has vast areas of unspoilt and sometimes inaccessible
wilderness, as is the case with Kings Canyon and Sequoia, the other national parks in
Sierra Nevada.
Yosemite National Park, California State
There are three groves of giant sequoia trees, two near Crane Flat, but the most famous is
the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees in the southwest corner, near the private village of Wawona.
Another gigantic type of tree is the Grizzly Giant, estimated for having almost 3,000 years
old, in the park exist more than 400 trees of this type that grow on the hillsides.
The weather can be moderately warm and dry through the summer, but nights may be cool. In
the winter, it can be rather cold with frequent snowfalls that sometimes create dangerous
driving conditions. Tioga Pass and the higher elevations of the park are normally closed
from November through May due to heavy snow accumulation. Spring and fall are transition
periods that rotate between nice weather and wet or snowy conditions.
Summer offers the warmest weather but is the busiest tourist season. Spring, with its heavy
extra of snow melt offers the most spectacular waterfall show. Fall, with its multicolored
foliage and usually pleasant weather is a scenic time to visit. Although winter often
produces some beautiful snow covered landscapes. Independently of the station you decide to
visit Yosemite, is wise to take a variety of clothes, for the constant changes in the climate.
History
In 1851, a battalion of Indian fighters wandered around for Yosemite's Valley and was stopped
by the view. They were the first nonnative to see this landscape. Later a man who visited
this valley wrote: "Nobody who has not visited this can imagine the incomparable beauty of this
valley”.
Efforts to protect Yosemite Valley began in June 30, 1864, when President Abraham Lincoln
signed a law granting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to the State
of California as inalienable land. This was the first time in history that a federal
government had set aside scenic lands simply to protect them and to allow for their enjoyment
by all people. The area became a national park in October 1, 1890 following several years of
struggle by John Muir against the devastation of the sub alpine meadows surrounding Yosemite
Valley.
Yosemite National Park, California State
Despite its national park status, California controlled the initial grant area until 1906.
Prior to ceding control to the city of San Francisco, became embroiled in a bitter political
struggle over the Hetch Hetchy Valley, in which the city wanted to dam the Tuolumne River
as a source of drinking water and hydroelectric power. In 1913, conservationists led by
John Muir lost the battle when Congress passed the Raker Act, authorizing the construction
of O'Shaughnessy Dam. This day crusades to restore Hetch Hetchy were ongoing. John Muir said:
"The construction of a dam provides the drinkable water for the people of San Francisco, but
the dam was causing floods of the of the lower reaches of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne
River, and also it was damaging the Valley Yosemite".
Yosemite has grown; its historical meaning makes it a jewel of the System of American National
Park. With 3.5 million visitors per year, makes to Yosemite the best tourist destination of
the United States. Only 12 miles squared inside the valley Yosemite can be visited (about 1%
of the total park land).
The dual role of the park service is protecting the resource and provide for the enjoyment
of the visitor. Yosemite continues to be an important breeding ground for management ideas
about US National Parks.
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its
spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and biological
diversity.