Yosemite
People began living in Yosemite Valley nearly 4,000 years ago. In 1864, in the midst of the Civil War, Congress passed legislation that created the world's first public wilderness park. In 1890, 1,512 square miles of land around the valley were declared a national park--the nation's third.
Yosemite Valley was shaped by a variety of geologic processes and climatic influences. More than 80 million years ago, nearly a dozen types of granitic rock were molten deep beneath the surface of the earth. As the rock solidified, fractures and joints were created as the Sierra Nevada was forced upward. Over the next 50 million years, water and other forces of nature eroded millions of tons of earth and loose rock. Then, for several million years, glaciers tore at the cliffs, helping create the massive rock faces, hanging valleys, dramatic waterfalls, splendid domes, and other geologic wonders for which Yosemite is now so famous.
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Inspiration Point
The first view of Yosemite Valley. On the left is El Capitan, the largest piece of exposed granite in the world. In the center, off in the distance, is Half Dome, and on the far right are the Cathedral Rocks. Below the Cathedral Rocks is Bridalveil Falls. |
Cathedral Rocks and Bridalveil Falls
Bridalveil Falls, unlike Yosemite Falls, never dries up. Water plunges 620 feet to the base. |
Half Dome
Carved by a glacier thousands of years ago, Half Dome is 8,842 feet above sea level. Many people climb the face, and at night, you can see their flashlights twinkling. The Half Dome trail to reach the top is 12 hours round-trip! At sunset, Half Dome turns golden-orange. |
The Three Brothers
The similarity of the Three Brothers is the result of parallel fractures that formed in the rock as it solidified millions of years ago. |
Glacier Path
The path the glacier took while carving Yosemite Valley. This is a view from Glacier Point, the highest point in the park that can be reached by vehicle. You can look out over the entire valley from Glacier Point. |
Vernal and Nevada Falls
From the view from Glacier Point. Nevada Falls in the top falls and Vernal Falls is the lower falls. The Nevada Fall drop is 594 feet. |
Mist Trail
The Mist Trail is the path to the top of Vernal Falls. It took us about 3 hours to make the 2.5 mile round trip hike. It was tiring, but worth it. |
Vernal Falls
The Vernal Fall drop is 317 feet. It and Nevada Falls feed directly into the Merced River that flows through Yosemite Valley. |
Just Rewards
When you reach the top of Vernal Falls, there is the Emerald Pool with a view of Liberty Cap. It was very tranquil, except for the morons swimming in it, which is supposed to be prohibited. |
Another Ride!
One day, we took a two-hour trail ride to Mirror Lake, which at this time of year is pretty much a marsh. My horse's name was Dakota. Don't worry, he's not actually trying to eat my head. |
Mariposa Grove
The Mariposa Grove is a forest of giant sequoias. This is the venerable Grizzly Giant. It is 31 feet across at the base and is 2,700 years old. |
