The Wonders of Yosemite

A must on everyone’s list when visiting California must surely be Yosemite National Park with its mixture of wildlife, plant life, natural geographic features, history and cultural diversity. Yosemite valley lies in the midst of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range which was formed by changing landscapes created during volcanic eruptions and ice ages. The best time to visit is during the summer months as winter can see the falls dry up and some of the passes closed to travellers due to being blocked with snow.

Stare in wonder as you enter the eastern side of the park and witness the size of the Half Dome. Rising 1444m above the valley floor and with one side a sheer face while the other three are smooth and round makes the Half Dome Cable Route the ultimate hiker’s dream.

Yosemite offers visitors amazing views of a variety of waterfalls. Yosemite Falls are the highest in the park and can be seen from all over the park but hike to the top and you will experience just how high up they really are. The most popular fall is the Bridalveil Fall. This is the place where the Ahwahneechee tribe, who lived in the valley, believed that inhaling the mist of the falls would improve one’s chances of marriage. They also warned that those leaving the valley shouldn’t look directly into the falls or they would be cursed by a demon guarding the valley. Nevada Falls is one truly spectacular waterfall. At almost 600 feet tall, it is best viewed in the spring when the waters are at their most powerful.

Visit the Mariposa Grove and you will be filled with wonder when you view the majestic Giant Sequoias. The oldest sequoia, known as Grizzly Giant, is considered to be between 1900 and 2400 years old; is over 200 feet in height and approx 95 feet in circumference. It has been known for a car to drive through the open trunk of a giant sequoia.

Close to the grove you will find the area of Wawona home to the historic Big Trees Lodge and the Pioneer Yosemite History Centre. During the Victorian era the Lodge was known as the Wawona Hotel and here one can view the period perfect rooms before descending the stone stairs to the 19^th century covered bridge. Take a peek into the past with a visit to the cluster of ancient buildings depicting the history of the park or perhaps enjoy the pleasure of a challenging round of golf.

There are many different areas to explore in Yosemite National Park but one cannot leave until they discover the sub – alpine Tuolumne Meadows. Here you will discover a meadow surrounded by majestic high peaks, huge domes and still water mirror lakes. The Toulumne River meanders its way across the land and was declared as a wild and scenic river by Congress in the 1980’s.

Yosemite is home to many unique animals such as the Sierra Nevada big-horn sheep, coyotes, mule deer and bobcats. Who knows you might even catch sight of one of the famous American Black Bears, never brown or grizzly bears. Be careful and know how to react if one strays across your path.

Once you have visited Yosemite you will never forget its beauty and may well be drawn back  during the different seasons to find even more hidden gems in this spectacular feat of nature.