10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Talking about Yosemite is talking about one of the most emblematic and spectacular places on the planet. Of course it is the most iconic park in California, but it is also the most iconic park in the United States, or at least it is on the podium. Roaring waterfalls, deep valleys, towering redwoods, a 9,000-foot peak and, of course, the world's largest granite boulder. Its amazing beauty leaves anyone speechless. Do you know Yosemite? If you belong to this select group of privileged people, then you will know what we are talking about. If you haven't been there yet, but you are free spirit and love nature, this will interest you. We are going to tell you 10 things you need to know about the “cathedral of nature”, Yosemite National Park. Are you ready?
1. YOSEMITE HISTORY
Do you know the history of Yosemite? Yosemite was first discovered in 1855, when two explorers traveling in search of gold were in awe of the sight. However, it would not be until nine years later, in 1864, when President Lincoln signed a law that entrusted the Yosemite area to the state of California. In 1890, the naturalist, explorer and writer John Muir (1838-1914), known as “the father of nature” campaigned and Yosemite was declared a National Park. It was the second space in the world declared a Natural Park, only behind Yellowstone.
2. YOSEMITE GEOGRAPHY
Yosemite is located in California, about 320 km east of San Francisco. The area of this natural park located in the Sierra Nevada mountains measures no less than 3.081km2. The park rises from 600 to over 4.000 meters above sea level. Given its size, it is impossible to visit the entire park, but it has four well-differentiated areas:
- YOSEMITE VALLEY
The main valley of the park, the most visited area. From here you can see El Capitan, Yosemite Falls (the most beastly waterfall), Half Dome (an iconic mountain), the "Happy Isles", Tunnel View and the Merced River.
- WAWONA
Ideal for discovering the history of the park and taking the best photos. There are 3 places that you cannot miss: Pioneer Yosemite History Center, where you can learn about the life of the first settlers of Yosemite; Mariposa Grove, to enter a universe of giant sequoias and Glacier Point, the highest viewpoint in the park.
- TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
One of the highest areas, ideal for hiking alone or with rangers (guards). Make note of these stops: Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove, two redwood museums.
3. FOR ALL TASTES
Backpackers, photographers, lovers of the mountains and hiking... Every year Yosemite Park welcomes more than 4 million tourists who dream of entering the heart of Mother Earth. There are those who travel here just to disconnect from the world, and those who seek a more complete experience and dare to climb the slopes, camp or even take advantage of the winter snow to do cross-country skiing. Are you into hiking? Then we leave you four routes that will blow your mind!
4. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Few places are as rich in fauna and flora as Yosemite. Did you know that Yosemite is home to more than 300 species of vertebrate animals? Approximately 95% of the surface is considered a wilderness area. The most characteristic animal in the park are the black bears. Eye! Bears are very curious and any new item they observe (food or any item of clothing) will attract their attention, so be careful and make sure you save any food that might tempt them. In addition to black bears, there are many specimens of puma, coyote, raccoon, lynx, fox...
As for flora, most of the vegetation is coniferous forests. But appreciating the redwoods, trees up to 100 meters tall, will cut your speech short. The largest collection of redwoods is found in the Mariposa Grove.
5. THE CAPTAIN: THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN
Although the number of attractions in Yosemite is inexhaustible, there is one element of the park that is iconic: El Capitan, the largest granite rock in the world. A granite monolith formed 100 million years ago that measures approximately 914 meters high, the result of glacial action. If you come by car, you can see it perfectly from the valley road, just arriving at the Visitor Center. The views that are here you will not see anywhere else.
6. YOSEMITE: THE MECCA OF CLIMBING
Climbing El Capitan is the dream of every fan of rock climbing, but then only the bravest dare to try it. Due to its steep slopes, it is a tremendously demanding scenario. Here's a plan for you in case you're not ready to do it yourself yet: go to El Capitan, sit back and watch the ridiculous size of the climbers in front of a monstrous 1 wall.095 meters high . Climbing the wall usually takes 3-5 days, so they have to sleep tied to hammocks. However, some "crazy" youngsters have been able to do it in just a few hours!
7. HIKING ROUTES
The promised is debt! So we are going to show you four hiking trails, suitable for different physical levels. It is impossible to go all over Yosemite, doing it by car would take us several hours… These are our 4 favorite routes, they will fascinate you:
- UPPER YOSEMITE FALL AND YOSEMITE POINT
Demanding route: 13 km long, with a drop of 1177 m and usually done in 6 hours. It starts at Camp 4 and zigzags until you reach Upper Yosemite Fall, the most impressive point of the waterfall. We will continue climbing until we reach Yosemite Point, with an unbeatable view of Half Dome. Recommendation: do it first thing in the morning to avoid the heat and too many people.
- VERNAL AND NEVADA FALLS
Moderate route: 13 km of circular route with a drop of 650 m. It starts and ends at the Upper Pines campground. It takes about 5 hours and we recommend you do it in the morning, because with the sun you can better appreciate the waterfall.
- TAFT POINT AND SENTINEL DOME
Simple route: 9.5 km at a drop of 408 m. Part of the parking lot next to Glacier Point, after about 3km we pass Taft Point, one of the best views, and continue to Sentinel Dome, a rock that overlooks Mirror Lake.
- MIRROR LAKE
The last and easiest: 12.5 km at a drop of 150 m. It starts at the Lower Pinnes campground and is circular. The entire river is traveled through Mirror Lake and other lakes. We advise you to do it in the afternoon, which is when the sunset illuminates the landscape.
8. TRANSPORTATION
Don't you want to bring a car? Don't worry. The park puts at your disposal different means of transport, from free buses to tram tours. There are daily buses every 10 minutes from the valley that take highway 120. Do you prefer to go with a guide who explains it to you? There is the Valley Floor Tour, which lasts 2 hours and covers the entire valley by tram, while a professional explains all the details of the falls, the Half Dome, El Capitan…
9. WORLD HERITAGE SITE
We will not be surprised that a place with such characteristics has been declared a World Heritage Site. Yosemite has 7.000 different species of plants in California, it has 5 zones of different vegetation... not to mention the diversity of its fauna. For all this and much more, in 1984 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.
10. HOTEL MAJESTIC: LUXURY IN THE HEART OF NATURE
Would you like to visit an old luxury hotel? Then you have to discover the Majestic Hotel, a great classic. It is a noble accommodation that was born in the twenties. Celebrities such as the Kennedys, Queen Elizabeth II, or Churchill have passed through its 123 rooms. It is a National Historic Property and offers “public” rooms, which you can visit. Its architecture is worthy of a museum, with 19th century paintings inspired by Yosemite, stone chimneys... The night is not the cheapest, but it is worth going into this monument.
Yosemite is a place that, if you have the chance, you have to visit it. It is one of the most spectacular places on earth. In front of its immensity you will feel like a dwarf, at the same time that you will connect with nature. Important! Remember to wear sunglasses to protect you from the rays. Our favorites for this adventure are Polar Wood sunglasses, perfect to wear in the middle of the forest. Don't think twice and go discover Yosemite!
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- WHERE IS YOSEMITE?
Yosemite Natural Park is located in the state of California, 320 km from San Francisco.
- WHAT TO SEE IN YOSEMITE?
Yosemite is a unique environment, full of incredible attractions: from the falls, El Capitan, Half Dome mountain, Yosemite Falls…
- HOW TO GO TO YOSEMITE?
The ideal way to go to Yosemite is to go in your own vehicle, since you will be able to access the areas that interest you the most and at the times you want. However, there are free buses that run throughout the valley, and guided tours by tram.
- IS IT POSSIBLE TO CLIMB IN YOSEMITE?
El Capitan, in Yosemite, is one of the world temples of climbing. Any climber dreams of one day climbing this wall of 2.308 meters.
- WHAT ANIMALS ARE IN YOSEMITE?
Yosemite's wildlife diversity is inexhaustible. The most common animal in this valley are black bears, but there are also many other species such as puma, coyote, raccoon, lynx, fox…
- IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO HIKING IN YOSEMITE?
Sure! Yosemite is one of the most amazing places in the world to relax while hiking. Above we have revealed our 4 favorite routes for hiking.
- WHAT IS THE LARGEST GRANITE ROCK IN THE WORLD?
El Capitan, in Yosemite, is the largest granite monolith in the world and, therefore, the main attraction of the park.
