The granite cliffs of Yosemite are a wondrous sight. Over eons, rivers and glaciers carved solid granite to create Yosemite Valley. These are the rock formations, for which Yosemite National Park is famous.
Resembling a hooded giant, Half Dome stands over 4700 feet from the valley below. This mountain is over 87 million years old. Still, it is the youngest plutonic rock in Yosemite Valley. Thousands of people hike to the summit each year. Photographers take in the orange and red colors of the sunset reflecting off its face.
Standing guard over Yosemite Valley is Sentinel Rock, an obelisk, which reaches an elevation of 3000 feet. The peak is a spire of solid granite. The dome affords a 360 degree view of the land below.
El Capitan is a monolith, the largest single granite rock on earth. It stands almost 4000 feet from base to summit. It is another favorite of experienced rock climbers who come from around the world to challenge their craft.
Waterfalls of Yosemite National Park
Sprinkled throughout Yosemite are spectacular waterfalls. The best time to view the falls is in the spring, when melting snow and ice make them full and vigorous. Many dwindle to a trickle in late summer, only to be renewed by rainfall in the autumn months.
Probably the most awe-inspiring falls in the park is Yosemite Falls. Foaming water cascades a total of 2425 feet. It is the fifth tallest waterfall in the world— the tallest in North America. The thundering water tumbles 1430 feet at the upper falls, and then travels 675 feet through the middle cascades, and drops 320 feet over the lower falls.
Quite a bit smaller, but no less breathtaking is the Bridalveil Fall. This beauty plunges 620 feet from the brink to the river below. Sometimes strong winds swirl around this cascade, blowing it sideways.
Another picturesque cascade in Yosemite is Horsetail Fall, which appears to be on fire as it reflects the evening sunset while descending 1000 feet. Ribbon Fall (1612 feet), Nevada Fall (594 feet), and Vernal Fall (317 feet) area also favorite sights at Yosemite National Park.
Giant Sequoia Trees
Perhaps the grandest sights to see at Yosemite National Park are the giant sequoia trees. Members of the redwood family, these arbors can be over 2500 years old. They grow up to 35 feet in diameter and 300 feet high. These beauties grow from seeds produced by cones the size of a chicken egg. The seeds require help from fires and animals in order to germinate.
The Mariposa Grove is the largest grove of giant sequoia trees in Yosemite Natioal Park. These colossal trees rarely die of old age. They are more likely to die from toppling, as one can observe when visiting the Mariposa Grove. The huge monsters lay on their sides; their toppled bases are taller than two men.
The diversity of vegetation and animal species of Yosemite National Park are due to the differences in elevation. Some visitors say that as they ascend or descend in elevation, it feels like they are visiting a completely different park. There are over 1400 species of flowering plants and 37 varieties of trees at Yosemite. Over 370 species of wildlife call Yosemite National Park their home.
Established as a national park on October 1, 1890, Yosemite is an exceptional place to visit. 95 percent of the park is designated as wilderness. Cascading waterfalls, ancient sequoia trees, and mammoth granite cliffs are wonders to behold. Throw in some beautiful lakes, a couple of glaciers, and abundant wildlife—what’s not to love?
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