Yosemite National Park is a California attraction and national landmark that has been millions of years in the making, culminating in a vast panorama of mountains and valleys that are unique not just in the United States, but the world over. The appeal of this park lies in the access to miles of trails, the abundant wildlife viewing and the outdoor opportunities that are beyond compare, all of which have contributed to Yosemite's reputation for wild beauty and spectacular natural wonders. Spanning some 750,000 acres, Yosemite encompasses 1600 miles (2,575 km) of streams, 800 miles (1,287 km) of hiking trails and 350 miles (563 km) of roads.

Yosemite NP Mountain

Located directly east from San Francisco, Yosemite National Park contains a wild expanse that inspires dreams of adventure, reveals natural majesty and instills a sense of why this is one of America's most treasured landmarks. The land was first set aside as a park during the Civil War in 1864, and over the years has earned a place in the annals of American history as one of the most revered travel destinations in the United States. It was here that renowned photographer Ansel Adams took some of his most famous pictures, from the imposing peak of El Capitan to the gentle rivers and streams that flow through the area. The Ansel Adams Gallery is located in west Yosemite, and is home to the artist's original prints as well as a memorial depicting his life and times.

Ninety-five percent of the park was designated as wilderness by Congress in 1984, meaning limited services and facilities. According to the Wilderness Act of 1964, such land is defined as being "in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."

HISTORY

	Winter in Yosemite

White settlers first came to the area in 1833, encountering American Indians that were primarily of Miwok ancestry. The tribe lived off the land until the gold rush, 20 years later, brought many miners and other non-natives to the area searching their fortune. With the influx of settlers came disease and encroachment that left the population of the Miwoks significantly diminished. As the tribes sought to protect their homeland, the U.S. Army moved swiftly to quash any resistance, and by 1851 the the Miwoks had succumbed to American domination.

Entrepreneurs took the helm in Yosemite following the gold rush, and development in the park began on a scale that would soon prove to be unsustainable. Calls for protection of the area were first voiced in the early 1860's, with President Lincoln signing a bill in 1864 in Washington making Yosemite part of an “inalienable public trust”. It was this legislation—the first granting protection to lands for the enjoyment of all people—that paved the way for the creation of the National Park Service in the United States. Though Yosemite wasn't the first National Park, it played a vital role in ensuring that such lands would be enjoyed by subsequent generations. Yosemite was granted park status in 1890, followed by the first rangers who set up camp in the area in 1914.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Most of the accommodation in the park comes in the form of campgrounds. Of the 13 campgrounds in the park, seven are on a reservation system while the rest are allotted to the first to arrive. Campsites can be reserved by contacting the park office or through the National Park Service website. It is recommended that campers wishing to reserve a site do so several months in advance to guarantee that their request can be accommodated.

Aside from camping, there are several hotels and lodges in Yosemite National Park that offer overnight berths. Some of these lodgings are open only during the summer months, however visitors wishing to explore Yosemite in the winter can be accommodated as well. One of the more well known lodgings in Yosemite is the Ahwahnee Hotel. Built in 1927 to entice affluent visitors, the Ahwahnee was originally meant as a showpiece to encourage wealthy patrons to endorse the preservation of Yosemite. Today, the hotel is a luxury accommodation that features a host of amenities and services, from a heated outdoor pool to cozy fireplaces to comfortable parlors. There is also a restaurant on the premises that caters to guests.

Another historic accommodation in Yosemite National Park is the Wawona Hotel, comprised of 104 rooms in six buildings. Though not as luxurious as the Ahwahnee, the Wawona offers attractive rooms for visitors not willing to “rough it”.

CLIMATE

Sitting at 4,000 feet above sea level, it is easy to attain significant altitude while hiking in the Yosemite Valley. With altitude comes unpredictable weather, a factor to consider when exploring any mountainous region. Summer is the most accessible time to visit the park, with temperatures averaging 65-75°F. The weather starts to cool down in late October, and snow is generally not far away. Winter temperatures vary between the mid-fifties in October down to the mid-thirties in January. Despite the colder temperatures, however, Yosemite doesn't hibernate. Activities and attractions are available to visitors year round at the park, with some of the most spectacular beauty revealing itself during the winter months.

	Wild Animals abound in Yosemite

TRANSPORTATION

Park users are encouraged to use the available shuttle buses while in the park. The buses are a free service that give visitors access to some of the more prominent attractions in Yosemite and are a good alternative to personal transportation. There are also two hiker's buses that drop visitors at Tuolumne Meadows and Glacier Point for those wishing to experience Yosemite's backcountry. Unlike the other shuttles, there is a nominal fee for the hiker's buses. Depending on the season, it is recommended that visitors call ahead to make sure that their planned destinations are accessible as some roads are closed in the winter due to snow.

There are five ways to access the park by road. From Fresno, head north on Highway 41 to the South Entrance to the Park. The Arch Rock Entrance is located on Highway 140 West from Merced, CA. For visitors approaching the park from Modesto or Manteca, take Highway 120 West to the Big Oak Flat Entrance. The Hetch Hetchy Entrance is just West from the Big Oak Flat. The last access to the park is found on Highway 120 East from Lee Vining, CA.

ATTRACTIONS

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite boasts a number of landmarks that have been popular with visitors since the park's inception. One of the most famous sights in Yosemite is El Capitan, a mountain that retains the distinction of the largest granite monolith in the world. This Yosemite treasure was immortalized by Ansel Adams in several photographs, and continues to inspire awe and reverence in visitors. El Capitan is also a preferred rock climbing destination, drawing hundreds of experienced climbers every year to its magnificent face. The Half Dome is another impressive rock formation in the park, towering more than 4,000 feet (1219 meters) above the Valley Floor. It is possible to hike to the top of this rock, and there are climbing opportunities on the face of the Half Dome as well.

Yosemite is also known for its breathtaking waterfalls, of which there are several. Yosemite and Bridalveil are two of the more notable waterfalls, each offering displays of awesome power that demonstrate the remarkable force of nature. Yosemite Falls is 2425 feet (739 m) high and is usually dry by August. Spring is the best time to see this waterfall as the run-off from the surrounding mountains bolsters the volume of water significantly. A famous ice spire forms in winter as mist from the falls accumulates and creates a massive cone. Holding the title of the world's fifth largest waterfall, Yosemite Falls is actually made up of three different falls, the Upper Yosemite Fall (1430ft./436 m), the middle cascades (675ft./206 m) and the Lower Yosemite Fall (320ft./98 m). In contrast to the height of Yosemite Falls, the equally impressive Bridalveil Falls drops just 620 feet or 189 meters. Easily accessible, this waterfall can be seen year round and is the first set of falls that visitors see when entering the park from Fresno or Merced.

Many visitors come to Yosemite in search of the legendary stands of sequoias, groves of old growth trees that are the largest of all living things. The grandeur of these trees is known the world over, rivalling the rainforests in terms of famous arbors. The Mariposa Grove is the most visited stand of Sequoias, and is located near the park's South Entrance. This stand of trees is among the most majestic and the most accessible to visitors, with roughly 500 mature giant sequoias. Guests can either hike up the trails or buy a ticket for a ride on one of the open air trams that go up to the groves.