Yosemite National Park – the world’s natural treasure
Yosemite National Park was founded in California back in 1890 and is therefore the third oldest park in the United States. It occupies an area of 3080 square kilometers and is currently one of the most visited places in the country. Park got its name from the old Indian name Uzumati, which means a grizzly bear.
The first inhabitants of this territory were here long before the arrival of white men. They were Miwok Indians. In 1849 two European prospectors came to this area and were literally mesmerized by the beautiful landscape that they discovered here. They told everybody about their discovery and the information gradually brought even to the President. He did not hesitate to declare Yosemite a protected area, and few years later a national park.
Taft Point, Yosemite National Park, California, USA by Peter Dutton
Visit Yosemite National Park!
Yosemite National Park is a great natural treasure, you will find wild nature here, beautiful scenery, huge waterfalls, clear rivers and lakes, unique fauna and flora.
Sentinel beach, Yosemite National Park, California, USA by Su-May
Park is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in a vast valley, which was made by a glacier. Yosemite provides ideal conditions for climbers as it has massive and highly challenging rock walls. This is why it became a popular destination for climbers from all over the world.
One of the biggest attractions is a high rock massif El Capitan, which dominates the bottom part of the Yosemite Valley. This granite wall is 900 meters high and is an irresistible challenge for climbers that try to fulfill their dreams here. El Capitan is also a popular place among base-jumpers.
El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California, USA by n4rwhals
Another similar attraction here is a rock wall known as Half Dome reaching a height of 2,695 meters above sea level, with the elevation of around 1400 meters. Just below these huge mountains are beautiful Tuolumne Meadows.
The highest peak of Yosemite National Park is that of Mt. Lyell reaching a height of 3997 meters. In the park there are also a lot of beautiful waterfalls falling down from the high granite cliffs.
Half Dome as seen from Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, California, United States by Diliff
The most famous waterfall is none other than Yosemite Fall, which is with its height of 740 meters the fifth highest waterfall in the world. The other popular falls are Bridalveil Fall (188 metres), Nevada Fall (181 meters) and Vernal Fall (97 meters high).
Although Yosemite is situated only about 6 hours drive from Los Angeles, you will find truly unspoiled nature here. Every year it serves to around 4 million tourists, but despite this high number the park is still not overcrowded.
Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California, US by Joyce cory
Most visitors head to Yosemite Valley, and some crowds of tourists can be experienced also on short routes and most popular places, such as Glacier Point.
From the Glacier Point however you will have an opportunity to enjoy perhaps the most beautiful views of Half Dome and other parts of Yosemite National Park.
Glacier Point view, Yosemite National Park, California, USA by Miguel Mendez
Park became famous thanks to the huge Sequoia trees that grow here in abundance. They are the oldest trees in America, some of them are even 3200 years old which is unbelievable.
The area with redwood trees belongs to one of the most visited in the park. The most famous trees are then Grizzly Giant Tree which is 2700 years old. But there are even older trees such as General Sherman Tree or California Tree, into which a tunnel was excavated in 1895.
California Tunnel Tree, Yosemite National Park, California, USA by David Fulmer
Yosemite National Park has become a refuge for many species of animals such as grizzly bear, cougar, coyote, wapiti, bighorn sheep, badgers, weasels, rabbits, many species of ground squirrels and others.
In addition to grizzly bears there are also about 300 American black bears. Even the bird kingdom is well established here as about 300 species of birds live here and many species of fish, amphibians and insects.
Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park, California, United States by Diliff
So this is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world! Have you already visited Yosemite National Park? Have you got something to tell us, your story, your adventure, your own experiences? We’d like to hear from you!
59 US National Parks
Yosemite is not the only National Park in the US! See all US National Parks in another article:
A comment ? Write there !
Leave a Reply