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Visiting Yosemite National Park
This report will include the park's history and geology, the wildlife, the trees, the valley and falls, the fees and permits for the park, and when to visit.
The American Indians have lived in the Yosemite region for over 8,000 years (National Park Services, Page 1). By the mid-nineteenth century, the native residents had their first contact with non- Indian people. The native people of Yosemite had an ethnicity of traditions, including religion, songs, and political affiliations. On June 0, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill granting Yosemite Valley to the State of California, as an inalienable public trust. This meant that it could not be taken away from the State of California. This was the first time in history that the federal government had set aside scenic lands, simply to protect them and allow all people to enjoy it (National Park Services, Page ). Yosemite became a national park on October 1, 180. Automobiles were not permitted into the park until the year 11. By the year 154, visitation surpassed one million people and by 176, over two billion people had visited the park. In the mid-10's, visitation peaked over four billion people (National Park Services, Page ). Yosemite National Park covers a huge area of the western Sierra Nevada Mountains in central California. Yosemite is approximately 00 miles east of San Francisco. There are three state roads that approach from the west and meet on the lower ends of the valley. At the western ends of the valley, where the mountains at either side come close together, the roads become narrow and pass through several tunnels. The park ranges from ,000 feet above sea level to more than 1,000 feet with several major attractions, including Yosemite Valley (with waterfalls), cliffs, and extraordinary rock formations (Exhibit 1). The gross acreage for Yosemite National Park is 761,66.8 acres (Uhler, Page ).
Yosemite has various kinds of wildlife, which include animals as well as trees. The California big horn sheep was forced to extinction in Yosemite because of hunting, disease, and the competition for food by domestic sheep. With help from the National Park Services, U.S. Park Services, California Department of Fish and Game, and the Yosemite Association, the bighorns are now again roaming in the wildlife of the park (Uhler, Page 0). The bighorn sheep are found along the eastern edge of the park. Yosemite is the home of the rare and endangered great gray owl. A current study is being prepared to determine the status, distribution, numbers, habits, and the health of the population of this owl. In some areas of the park, their deeply toned hoot can be heard. The coyote can be seen year round. At night, they are heard howling and barking. Coyotes are primarily predators of field mice and squirrels. Human food can be harmful to them, so feeding them is not a good idea. All the deer in Yosemite are known as mule deer. They are often seen grazing near meadows. The mule deer are very timid and have grown accustomed in seeing people. Although, the mule deer may appear tame, they are wild animals and will charge at people if cornered or threatened. Always leave the deer in a wide-open area so they can move away when they want to and never tempt them with food. The Steller's jay is a bright blue bird with a pointed grey-black crest. The bird is known as the "camp robber." This is because of the sly way in which it steals food from a table in the campgrounds. The Steller's jay has a distinctive caw-like screech, which is an alert that food has been found. Again, it is not recommended to try and feed the jays. The jays are best seen in the meadows, along the Merced or Tulome River. The peregrines falcon is an endangered species, but is returning to Yosemite. Efforts by the National Park Services, Yosemite Association, and Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group have signicantly increased the population, but are carefully watching and protecting them.
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There are 7 varieties of trees found in the park. Four of these are easily identified, due to their size and characteristics. The California black oak is very abundant in the park. These are trees with yellowish green leaves and dark trunks. They produce acorns, which the Miwok Indians ground into flour. The cedar trees you can identify by the intense smell and the feathery reddish bark. These are grown abundantly throughout the park. The giant Sequoias are the largest trees on the earth (Exhibit & ). These giant trees often live from 1,000 to ,000 years. Settlers in Yosemite Valley planted few of these big trees, though they are not native to the valley. The Ponderosa Pine can be identified by its bark. The bark is made up of irregularly shaped plates separated by dark grooves. Mature trees are considerably wide at the base with a straight trunk, rising very tall before reaching the branches.
There are two roads leading up to Yosemite Valley. The roads stretch for about 0 miles. They pass trough flat woodland and flower-filled meadows. These roads are filled with many viewpoints and trails. Some of the viewpoints are spectacular. You can stop and look at them as you travel your way to the top. Here are just a few of the wide variety of sites that can be seen.
El Capitan is the most famous cliff in Yosemite (Exhibit 4-6). It is a ,000 foot high foot of granite. This cliff is very popular with rock climbers, whom sometimes have to camp overnight halfway up, while securely fastened to narrow ledges. El Captain is the single largest piece of granite in the world (National Park Services, Page 5). The cliff is best seen at the far west end of Yosemite Valley. Half Dome is the most recognized symbol of Yosemite (Exhibit 7-). This huge domed granite mountain is 8,800 feet high and was cut in half by glacial activity, leaving a ,00 foot cliff with the steepest vertical grade in the United States (Crossley, Page ). Nevada Falls is three miles from the roads in the Yosemite Valley (Exhibit 10). A visit to Nevada falls is said to take a half-day, to hike a seven mile round trip, due to the rocky trail and 1,00 feet elevation. Above the actual drop of the falls the waters surge and swirl forcefully around a series of pools and cascades. Nevada Falls is a very peaceful place for thinking and resting. Vernal Falls is 17 feet high and is not visible from the main valley, but easily reached along a well-marked trail (Exhibit 11-1). The path is level at first, although sandy and rocky. It winds through wooded land and when looking back towards Yosemite Valley the view gets more dramatic as the path ascends. The path will then continue to Nevada Falls. Yosemite Falls (upper and lower) has a two stage drop of ,400 feet as the Yosemite creek falls to the valley from the north (Exhibit 1). The lower falls is the most visited landmark in Yosemite. The falls are hidden by trees from many places and you have to get close to get a good view (Exhibit 14-16). The lower falls can be seen by taking a short level path of a ¼ mile. The trail ends in a wide open area with a pool and many large boulders upon which the waters crash down on. The upper falls is further along the trail. They can be heard some distance away before they become visible (Exhibit 17).Most people only go as far as the base of the upper falls because, beyond that the path becomes very steep as it climbs another 1,00 feet up a cliff. At the top, after a walk of .6 miles, the land flattens and becomes a very beautiful site. Glacier point is the most easily accessed high elevation viewpoint in Yosemite (Exhibit 18-0). A paved, 16 mile road reaches this point and the road is opened from June to October (Crossley, pgs -5).
When planning a trip to Yosemite National Park, there are different entrance fees, permits, and special use permits to consider. First, the entrance fees. The National Parks Pass is an annual pass that provides admission to any national park that charges an entrance fee. The pass costs $50.00 and is valid for one year from the month of purchase. More than 80% of the proceeds from the sales go directly into supporting priority projects in the national parks (Uhler, Page 8). This pass admits the signer, spouse, children and parents into the park. It does not cover or reduce fees for camping, parking, tours, or concessions. The Golden Age Pass is for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are age 6 or older. A valid driver's license or birth certificate will be asked for to show proof of age. This is a lifetime pass. There is a one time fee of $10.00 for a processing charge. An annual Pass for Yosemite National Park is $40.00. There is a car fee of $0.00 and the pass is valid for seven days. Permits are also available. There are wilderness and special wedding permits. The wilderness permit is free, but you have to make reservations and it costs $5.00 per person for the reservations. This is so you can stay overnight. A special use permit is required for a wedding held at any location in the Park. The permit costs $150.00. The approved permit must be in possession at the time of the wedding. The entrance fees are not waived for the participants or the guests of the wedding.
Visiting Yosemite National Park can be done year round, however depending on when you come parts of the park may be off limit. From June to September all areas of the park are open. From October through November all areas are open however short-term closure is possible due to snow. From December through May only certain parts of the parks are open and there are many restrictions, such as tire chains (Uhler, Page ).
In conclusion, Yosemite National Park has many interesting historical facts and landmarks. They are sure to be breathtaking and spectacular, however be prepared for several fees and any restrictions that may apply when visiting different times of the year.
Bibliography
Crossley, Jim. "The American Southwest, California National Parks and Tourist Guide"
http//www.americansouthwest.net, United States, 16, March 00
National Park Services, "Yosemite National Park"
Pamphlet, United States, January 00
Uhler, Mike, "Yosemite National Park"
http//www.yosemite.national-park.com, United States, , January 00
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