Yosemite National Park
Summary |
Full Detail |
Regions |
Directions |
Accommodations |
Weather
Hiking Trails |
Backpacking Trails |
Mountaineering
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Park Overview
Often called "the Incomparable Valley," Yosemite Valley may be the world's best known example of a glacier-carved canyon. The dramatic scale of its leaping waterfalls, rounded domes, massive monoliths, and towering cliffs, has inspired painters, poets, photographers and millions of visitors
The park embraces almost 1,200 square miles of scenic wild lands set aside in 1890 to preserve a portion of the central Sierra Nevada that stretches along California's eastern flank.
The park ranges from 2,000 feet above sea level to more than 13,000 feet and has these major attractions; alpine wilderness, three groves of Giant Sequoias and the glacially carved Yosemite Valley with impressive waterfalls, cliffs and unusual rock formations.
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The Valley's sheer walls and flat floor evolved as alpine glaciers lumbered through the canyon of the Merced River. The ice carved through weaker sections of granite, plucking and scouring rock but leaving intact harder portions, such as El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks. Glaciers greatly enlarged the canyon that the Merced River had carved through successive uplifts of the Sierra. When the last glacier melted, its terminal moraine, left at its farthest advance into the valley, dammed up the melting water to form ancient Lake Yosemite in the newly carved U-Shaped valley. Eventually sediment filled in the lake forming today's flat vallley floor. Glaciers did not reach the Merced Canyon along Highway 140 outside the park, and its river-cut, V-shaped profile contrasts markedly with Yosemite's Valley's sheer walls.
More in the pamphlet.
Fees
The cost for entry is $20.00 per private, non-commercial vehicle for a seven-day stay. The individual entry fee, for those arriving by bus, bicycle, on foot etc is $10.
Camping
Reservations may be made between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time by calling (800)436-PARK. The number for international callers is (301)722-1257. Reservations may also be mailed to N.P.R.S., P.O. Box 1600, Cumberland, MD, 21502. Reservations may be made with MasterCard, Visa, Discover, personal check, or money order. Persons may reserve two campsites at one time. Reservations are not available by fax or e-mail.
In Yosemite Valley, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and North Pines campgrounds require reservations. Sunnyside Walk-In campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Outside Yosemite Valley, Crane Flat campground, half of the Tuolumne Meadows campground, and all group camps require reservations. Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow campgrounds require reservations May through September. Bridalveil Creek, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Porcupine Flat and Yosemite Creek campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lodging
Lodging in the park is operated by the Yosemite Concession Services Corporation. Rates range from $37.00 per night for a basic tent cabin with nearby bathroom, to over $200 per night for a room at The Ahwahnee. Reservations can be made up to one year and one day in advance by calling (209) 252-4848 or by writing to Central Reservations, 5410 East Home, Fresno, CA 937277.
Climate, recommended clothing
Weather can change rapidly during all seasons of the year. Elevation plays a major role in temperature and precipitation. Most of the moisture comes in the months of January, February and March, and the winter climate is relatively mild. Sierra summers are typically warm and dry. April and November are transitional months, when warm, sunny days can suddenly become stormy. Clouds can build up during the summer to produce spectacular thunderstorm activity.
Transportation
To Park: access by state highways 120, 41, and 140. Several airlines serve Fresno Yosemite International and United Express serves the Merced airport. Motor coach transportation is available year- round from Merced Amtrak station and Transportation Center to Yosemite Valley.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, tour bus. Free shuttle bus service in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley (year-round), between Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and from Tuolumne Meadows to Tenaya Lake (summer only).
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Center/Exhibits: There are four visitor centers in Yosemite National Park. The Valley Visitor Center, located in Yosemite Valley is the largest and most comprehensive in terms of displays, books, postcards and maps. The Big Oak Flat Information Station, Wawona Information Station and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center are open on a more limited basis.
Trails, Roads: One-hundred and ninety-six miles of paved roads within the park, 840 miles of trails. Eight-miles of paved bike path in Yosemite Valley.
Programs/Activities: Regularly scheduled ranger-led walks, talks and evening programs. Concessioner-operated bus tours, guided horseback rides and bicycle rentals.
Food/supplies: Food service and groceries available in the park and in surrounding communities.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities: The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Bookstore located at the Valley Visitor Center operated by the Yosemite Association.
Accessibility: The park's major sites can be viewed by automobile. Some trails and facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Viewing waterfalls and well-known rock features in Yosemite Valley; visit to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and historic Wawona area; drive or hike to Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the High Sierra; drive to Tuolumne Meadows along Tioga Road and take a hike - numerous trailheads available.
Reservations/Permits
Wilderness permits are required for any overnight travel into the park's back country. The number for Wilderness Permit Reservations is 209-372-0740, the number for Wilderness Information is 209-372-0745. Permits are required for commercial filming, weddings and other special activities through the Special Use Permit Office at (209) 379-1850.
Basic Visit Recommendations
Stay for a minimum of four hours to tour Yosemite Valley; will require at least two days for visit to all sites and areas in the park.
Special Events, Programs
Activities are available year-round.
Visitor Impact
To prevent congestion and overcrowding, automobile access may be temporarily restricted in Yosemite on spring weekends and busy holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. If restrictions are necessary, they are expected to be in effect from mid-morning to early evening, depending on available day-use parking space and traffic congestion.
Additional Information
Write Public Information Office, Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Phone (209) 372-0265, Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
