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Yosemite National Park

yosemite
yosemite national park


Yosemite National Park

It is not just a great valley but a shrine to human prescience, vigor of the granite, strength of the glaciers, the diligence of life and the serenity of the High Sierra. The Yosemite National Park, United States, is one of the ever first wilderness parks of the nation and most popular for its stupefying waterfalls. And within the 1200 square miles of the park, one can discover some grueling deep valleys, antique giant sequoias, vast meadows, a cosmic wilderness area and lots more!    

The Park Past

The geology of this spectacular region is typified by granitic pieces of rocks as well as remnants of older rocks. It is known that about 10 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and tilted in order to form its moderately gentle western slopes complemented by the even more dramatic eastern slopes. And the uplift then amplified the steepness of the stream and the river beds and thus resulted in the formation of steep and deep, unfathomable canyons. Then, about a million years ago, ice and snow accumulated and that formed glaciers at the higher alpine meadows which moved down the river valley. It is said that during the glacial period, the thickness of the ice was known to be over 4000 feet. Eventually, the downward slope movement of the glaciers cut out and sculpted themselves into a U shaped valley and this fine valley lures millions of tourists every year!     

Climate

This stunning park of the United States witnesses rainfall mostly in the months of January, February and March. The summers are welcomed with warm and dry weather conditions. The most exciting are the months of spring and the fall which are highly transitional; one can be taken aback when warm sunny days abruptly turn into stormy evenings with thunderstorm activities.

The Park under the lens!

Yosemite National Park conserves a Sierra Nevada landscape characterized by its sun-baked scrubby chaparrals, groves of pines, sequoia, firs and massive alpine woodlands and meadows. The alluring park is a home to over 250 species of vertebrates enclosing fishes, amphibians & reptiles, mammals and countless birds. The western boundary of the park is conglomerated with coniferous forests personified with sugar pines, incense-cedars, white firs, ponderosa pines, the Giant sequoias and the giant Black Oak. And thus it is the habitat of many animals such as the American Black Bear, gray fox, mule deer, white-headed woodpecker, spotted owl and many more! As the elevation augments, the forest of the conifers turn into purer strips of red firs, western white pines, Jeffery pines, the Lodgepole pines and even the Foxtail pines. Owing to the elevation, little wildlife exists.

Activities in the Park

The spectacular national park of Yosemite is flocked by many people enjoying their short walks and long hikes to the waterfalls of the Yosemite Valley. People also admire promenades among the Giant sequoias in the Tuolumne, Mariposa or Merced groves. Some others prefer to drive to the glacier point to witness the breathtaking sight of the valley and the country; while the others love to drive down to the Tuolumne meadows and practice hiking. If you ever visit California and happen to miss this beautiful valley park, accept it that you would be missing out the most incredible sights of your life.

Related websites and additional information:
 

Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Yosemite National Park Vacation & Lodging Information
http://www.yosemitepark.com/

 

 

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