Yosemite

travel wonder in America

Why Yosemite

is special

Its valley is bounded by sheer mountain cliffs, towering falls, and a forested valley floor. The combined scene is one of nature's most inspired creations.

Most famous sights

Half Dome - The icon of Yosemite (see photo).  Tip: It's best photographed in the afternoon sun.

El Capitan - This steep sided peak soars almost 1,100 meters (nearly 3,600 feet) above the valley floor.

Falls - The park has a number of lofty falls, the two most famous are:

Bridalveil Falls - The 188 meter (620 foot) high Bridalveil Falls gained its name because winds push its falling water around, creating a plunging gossamer spray.

Yosemite Falls - It is one of the world's highest falls, the equivalent of a modern 240 story building. Although it appears to be a single entity, it is a combination of three sequential falls.

Mariposa Grove - Home of Giant Sequoias, the world's biggest and oldest botanical life form. One sequoia tree is 2,700 years old, dating back to the seedling days of the Roman Empire.

Yosemite - its best

Vantage Points

Below are three spots that offer memorable views:

Glacier Point - It is about 970 meters (3200 feet) above the valley floor and offers a fabulous vista of the valley, Half Dome, and more. Glacier Point is my favorite lookout.

Sentinel Bridge - Camera-friendly view of Half Dome are seen from the valley floor level as you walk across Sentinel Bridge.

Wawona Tunnel - Seconds before you exit the tunnel on the main road heading into Yosemite, the valley suddenly comes into view and is artistically framed by the Wawona Tunnel's curved ceiling. This is a popular postcard shot and is most people's first view of the valley.

When to visit

Yosemite

This central Californian national park is a four season travel destination. In planning your visit, you should be aware of these factors:

Early May is the best all around time to visit. Late September is the next best.

The park's waterfalls are most vigorous in May and early June. They typically dwindle to a trickle by late Summer and Fall.

The lion's share of the three million annual visitors come in the mid May to mid September period.

During this peak tourist season, you will likely experience overwhelming crowds and traffic clogged roads. To make matters worse, middays in midsummer are typically hot (32°C or 90°F).

If you do visit in the summer, try to avoid weekends and holidays - and see the principal sights early or late in the day when the heat and crowds are less severe.

In winter, snow are heavy and can close many roads. On the positive side, Yosemite becomes a winter wonderland.

Other

tips & insights

The national park open 24 hours a day every day. However, entry can be delayed on high traffic days.

Accommodations anges from luxury (the Indian themed Ahwahnee lodge) to cabins (Curry Village) to bare ground sites for bring-your-own tenters.

Lodge, cabin and camping reservations should be made months in advance for the summer season. The Ahwahnee Lodge is usually fully booked for weekends a year in advance.

Yosemite is about 300 kilometers (200 miles) east of San Francisco

The light faced canyon walls are beautifully lit during full moons. And, stars are brilliant on moonless nights because Yosemite is not near a city or large town. Another factor: You're in a very deep valley. This further helps shield the invasive, defused sky glow emanating from distant cities.

There are a variety of hiking trails to please nearly everyone. They range from challenging backpacker paths to short easy loops.

Wildlife includes bears, mountain lions (cougars) and cayotes.

Anthropologists believe that Indians first settled in the valley some 8,000 years ago.

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©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications