PassPorter's
Article Tools |
| |
Yosemite: A Natural Wonderby Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Featured Columnist
Last modified 6/26/2007
| | |
Cool Tip: Click here to get a FREE PDF version of this article, fully formatted to print and put into your PassPorter Deluxe Binder!
Filed in Articles > U.S. Travel > Traveling
It's safe to say there are many wonders of the world. Some, like bustling cities around the world, have been created by mankind over many years, but there are others that owe their origin to nature and have changed very little in centuries. Yosemite National Park in California is one of those wonders that falls into the second category.
Covering almost 1,200 square miles in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite is a four- to five-hour drive from San Francisco, making it a popular day trip for visitors staying in the Bay Area for a few days, and that's exactly how we explored Yosemite.
There are many companies offering day-long tours and most will have one thing in common - a very early start and a very late finish to your visit. We were picked up before 6:30 a.m. and didn't get back to our hotel until after 7:30 pm. But in that time, we were treated to some of the most famous sights in the park.
It's believed that Yosemite has been home to Native Americans for something like 8,000 years, but the discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada foothills in 1849 brought thousands of miners to the area to seek their fortune. Once they discovered the area's wonders, Yosemite's fame quickly spread. Known as the "Incomparable Valley," before long, hotels were being built and livestock brought in to graze in the meadows. Fortunately, before too much damage could be done, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill protecting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Now, around four million people enjoy the beauty of Yosemite every year.
One part of the park that nearly all those four million visitors head for is Yosemite Valley, and it's no small wonder. Not only can you reach it all year round by car, it's also the best place to see beautiful meadows and get some superb views of the park's most famous rock formations and waterfalls.
Forget the waterfalls you've seen anywhere else, as they pale into insignificance compared to what Yosemite has to offer. The tallest is Yosemite Falls, more than 2,400 feet high. It's made up of three separate falls and even if you don't want to be active on your visit, it's easy to walk to Lower Yosemite Fall. You'll certainly feel the force of the water as you near it, particularly if the wind is blowing in your direction. Even on a dry day, an umbrella or coat is a good idea, as getting close to any of the falls is like stepping out in a rainstorm!
Another fall well worth seeing is Bridal Veil. Although it's a lot smaller than Yosemite Falls, at just 620 feet, if you see this first, as we did on our tour, it'll help prepare you for the breathtaking views you'll get of Yosemite Falls.
It's not just waterfalls that provide a stunning view in Yosemite. All around the valley are rock formations, with Half Dome up there with Yosemite Falls as one of the park's most recognizable icons. Looming almost 5,000 feet above the floor of the valley, it's something you can't fail to see as you travel around. Opposite Bridal Veil Falls is El Capitan, which at nearly 3,000 feet high, is the largest monolith of granite in the world.
While in the valley, it's worth heading for the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center complex, where you can find out more about the history of the area and the Indians who live here. The nearby Ansel Adams Gallery is also well worth a visit, as it displays some beautiful work from a range of photographers and artists.
Although you can see a lot from the floor of Yosemite Valley, even if you're short of time, you should head for some of the Giant Sequoia groves above the valley. Mariposa Grove is the most famous of these and, to give you an idea of the scale of the park, it's located 36 miles south of Yosemite Valley. Even when we visited in late April, there was still a lot of snow around and the trek down there was pretty treacherous, so if you plan on visiting Yosemite during the colder months, you're likely to find the road there closed.
Yosemite is also home to a number of hotels, with the Ahwahnee, a National Historic Landmark, perhaps the most beautiful of the choices for overnight stays there. Completed in 1927, if you like Disney's Wilderness Lodge, you'll love the design of this place. Even if you don't stay there, you may want to visit this beautiful resort.
It's the same story with the Wawona Hotel, which dates from the 19th century. Although not as stunning as the other two resorts, you can't beat the location of Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. As the name suggests, it's just a few minutes walk from Yosemite Falls and very centrally located.
Yosemite is technically open all year round, but parts of the park can be inaccessible by car due to snow between November and May. On a visit with my parents many years ago, we were the last car to be let through the park, as the snow was coming in. That was quite an experience and when they close the roads due to snow, they do so for a reason!
For that reason, most people visit in the summer months, although that's not the best time to see the waterfalls. Because most of the water in Yosemite comes from snow melting on the high ground, the waterfalls are at their best in April and May, which was certainly our experience during our visit. Despite that, if you choose to visit in the spring, bear in mind that you may still see an occasional winter storm.
Whatever time of the year you choose to visit Yosemite, you'll find a beautiful, unspoiled park waiting for you that's truly one of the natural wonders of the world.
About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to Disney, and they have made numerous visits to destinations across America and Europe. They recently completed their tour of every Disney theme park around the world, which culminated in their visit to Japan, including the Tokyo Disney Resort. Click here to view more of Cheryl's articles!
Related Links:
Traveling Carry-On to Walt Disney World - Avoid Those Baggage Fees last updated 3/2/2011
New York City - Something Old, Something New last updated 01/02/2009
On the Road to Walt Disney World - Doing "The Drive" last updated 01/20/2009
Airline Security - 10 Important Tips and Reminders last updated 1/21/2009
Sick at Sea - (But Not Sea Sick!) last updated 5/14/2009
Reader Comments:
View all comments in forum thread
So what do you think? Click here to share your comments, feedback, and experiences on this article and topic!
(Note: You must be a member of our PassPorter Message Board Community to leave comments. Join today for free!)
Updated 6/26/2007 - Article #256
Read additional articles from PassPorter.com
|
Subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter, PassPorter News, published for more than 50,000 opt-in subscribers worldwide.
As an added bonus for subscribing, you will receive a 20% discount coupon for the PassPorter Store -- no catch!
We respect your privacy and never sell or rent our subscriber list. Subscribing will not result
in more spam! We guarantee it.
|
Copyright 1999-2011
by PassPorter Travel Press, an imprint of MediaMarx, Inc.
| | | LEARN MORE |
Learn More With Our Award-Winning Guidebooks
|
RSS General
PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disn...
Planning a trip around the globe, or just away for the weekend? Ask questions and share experiences!
Forum Sponsored by CruisingCo.com
Cruising Questions??
by kingfamily1129
31 Jan 2012 at 8:31pm
Hello everyone!!
So, my DH just surprised me by telling me we are going on a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas for our Anniversary in June!! YAY!!!...
(click title above to view replies)
DC's Chinatown
by Carousel96
31 Jan 2012 at 10:09am
This may be the narrowest, most specific question ever, but I know my PP'r friends can help.
DD and I will be in DC this summer. She wants to go...
(click title above to view replies)
Gatlinburg in April
by Wendyismyname
17 Jan 2012 at 7:11pm
We are heading down to Gatlinburg for our first time, finally! We have put this off for so many years and I am looking forward to it.
We have...
(click title above to view replies)
Kid friendly Philly?
by Suzie&Jay
16 Jan 2012 at 12:16pm
DH and I are planning a log weekend road trip to Philadelphia, stopping at the Crayola factory on the way :) we have 3 kids; DD 5, DS 3 and DD 18...
(click title above to view replies)
Where in the U.S. is it nice in September?
by Disneybine
14 Jan 2012 at 3:50pm
If we were to travel anywhere in the (continental) U.S. in September, where would we find the best weather?
We like sunshine, temperatures in the...
(click title above to view replies)
A trip to D.C.
by pago
13 Jan 2012 at 12:17pm
I would love any suggestions on where to stay in Washington DC with two kids ages 11 and 17.
Thanks in advance.
(click title above to view replies)
grand canyon
by cburke
10 Jan 2012 at 4:24pm
We would like to go to the grand canyon but not sure where we like to stay. Our budget is tight and I was thinking of a cabin but not sure how their...
(click title above to view replies)
DC off the beaten path
by Carousel96
10 Jan 2012 at 10:47am
I've gone to DC for a conference every year since 1990 and my roommates and I manage to fit in some sightseeing every year. So we've seen all the...
(click title above to view replies)
Tell me about your last non-Disney vacation in the US!
by Disneybine
6 Jan 2012 at 8:23am
Hi guys, I'd love to hear about your last trip you took *in the U.S. that wasn't Disney-related:*
1) Where did you go?
2) How long did you stay?...
(click title above to view replies)
Total Visits: 1786
|
