A shrine to nature lovers and a crowned jewel amongst all the valleys; a marvel that strikes everyone, be it a vacationing family or an outdoor adventure enthusiast or an explorer; Yosemite National Park is a mixed bag of picturesque scenery and an array of activities. Located in the central eastern region in the state of California, Yosemite National Park covers an area of 747,956 acres (3,026.87 km2) and stretches across the western slopes of the mountain chains of Sierra Nevada. This essay intends to give the readers a glimpse of the vast wilderness, diverse biological community and deep history of the national park that overwhelms every traveler who has treaded his / her way into this expanse of serenity.
The history of the Yosemite National Park dates back to almost 8000 years. The Native Americans inhabited the place and called the valley “Ah-wah-nee" and themselves the “Ahwahnechee”. With the advent of Europeans into these lands, the native population got displaced by the Mariposa Battalion. The first White settlers termed that the valley’s beauty remained unmatched and unparalleled. With the Euro-American settlement in the valley, the landscape and the tranquility of the place began to get exploited. With the appeal of many conservationists, President Abraham Lincoln granted the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the State of California in 1864. The trigger for the creation of the Yosemite National Park was by John Muir in 1890.
The national park serves as a paradise for nature lovers. It is recognized worldwide for its biological diversity, striking granite cliffs, ancient giant sequoia groves, majestic waterfalls and crystal clear streams.
The Yosemite Valley traverses for 8 miles and is the heart of the park, as it draws visitors from all across the globe. The valley is bordered by the mighty granite cliffs and pine forests, and it opens up to an enormous expanse of scenic meadows that offer a spectacular view of the surrounding waterfalls. The valley holds granite rocks that are as old as 114 million years! It harbors a diverse biological community with over 400 species of fauna and thousands of species of insects.
The diversification in the flora has influenced the wide range of fauna which inhabit the park. At every elevation, the park houses a unique variety of fauna. The park contains more than 250 species of vertebrates ranging from reptiles, amphibians, varieties of fish, and birds to mammals. Different species can be found based on the topography and elevation gradient. Mariposa Grove is made up of more than 500 ancient, mature sequoia trees that span over a wide area of the valley and the trees are as old as 3000 years.
The lofty granite cliffs are one of the most iconic features of the national park. Amongst these, the Half Dome serves as a significant landmark in Yosemite. Towering over 5000 feet above the floor of the valley, it gives an expression of a massive granite dome that has its north western portion missing – hence the name Half Dome. El Capitan is yet another outstanding feature of the park that rises over 3000 feet from the valley floor. It is the largest granite monolith in the world!
Yosemite is a home to innumerable waterfalls that are fed by melting glaciers. The most prominent amongst them is the Yosemite Water fall which is the tallest waterfall in North America and falls down to 2,425 feet.
Being a marvel for outdoor enthusiasts, Yosemite offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages. It caters to the interests and passions of people of all categories. It serves as a haven for art enthusiasts and photographers, a perfect vacationing spot for families, a nirvana for backpackers and hikers due to its wilderness and lofty peaks and ranges, an ideal station for bird watchers due to the habitat it offers for over 165 species of the avifauna, a challenging feat for all rock climbers, a jubilant destination for different water based activities like swimming, boating, rafting etc.
We can thereby say that the grandeur of the Yosemite National Park warms the heart and mind of every traveler. It kindles the urge to explore and discover the place in depth and fosters a sense of adventure and exuberance. Hence, it has also served as a haven for shooting several famous movies. “It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter” quoted John Muir (Gisel, Bonnie Johanna 74.) Thus, it can aptly be said that Yosemite National Park undoubtedly lives up to the quote mentioned by John Muir and its breath taking beauty coupled with tranquility truly remains unparalleled making it a paradise for all visitors.
Works Cited
Valley, Yosemite, and River Plan. "Yosemite National Park." California, during the.
Graf, Mike. Yosemite National Park. Capstone, 2002.
Lake, Swamp. "Yosemite National Park." California.” Quarternary Research 38.
Hall, Margaret. Yosemite National Park. Heinemann-Raintree Library, 2006.
Gisel, Bonnie Johanna. "Kindred and related spirits: The letters of John Muir and Jeanne C. Carr." (2001): 57-59.
