Yosemite National Park Introduction

Yosemite National Park encompasses nearly 1,200 square miles of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Park was one of the first wilderness parks established in the United States and ranges in altitude from 2,000 feet to more than 13,000 feet above sea level. Yosemite National Park has a variety of terrain, from picturesque valleys with granite cliffs and spectacular waterfalls to giant sequoia trees and expansive wilderness areas.

Yosemite is only hours from the major metropolitan regions of San Francisco, Los Angeles and Reno and offers 800 miles of hiking trails. Most visitors to the park remain concentrated in the Yosemite Valley, a seven square mile area that is internationally recognized for its impressive waterfalls, meadows, cliffs, and unusual rock formations.

Yosemite National Park has a variety of other natural features that are popular with visitors as well. Glacier Point provides a commanding view of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome from 30 miles south of the Yosemite Valley, The Mariposa Grove, the largest stand of giant sequoias in Yosemite, lies 36 miles south of Yosemite Valley. And Hetch Hetchy, the lesser known twin valley to Yosemite that is the starting point for many wilderness trails. (The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is the source of drinking water for much of the San Francisco Bay Area and is actually managed by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.)

Outdoor Activities
One of the most popular ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park is by taking a day hike in the Yosemite Valley, these can range from easy to quite hard. In addition, there are over 12 miles of paved bike paths available in the Yosemite Valley.

Two world-famous trails accessible in Yosemite are the John Muir Trail, which passes through Yosemite Valley and continues on to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States; and the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends from the borders of Mexico to Canada and follows the crest of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades mountains.

Yosemite is also known as one of the greatest rock climbing areas on the planet. Climbers can undertake a variety of challenges--from the crack climbs of the Merced River Canyon to the granite-faced domes in the Tuolumne Meadows, to multi-day climbs on the big walls of the Valley such as El Capitan.

Climate
Summer in Yosemite can be warm to hot, with occasional afternoon thundershowers. In the Spring and Fall, the weather is highly variable, with sunny and relatively warm days changing to rainy or snowy. Winter in Yosemite is snowy and cold.

Interesting Fact
Black bears in Yosemite are active both day and night. Most bears that rely on natural food sources are active during the day. However, those that get food from people are often active at night, when they can quietly sneak around and grab unattended food.

Other Details
Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and no reservations are required to visit. However, some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June.

Public Information Office
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389

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Location