National Parks

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is the park that started it all. Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant in 1864, protecting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove—the first time the U.S. government set aside land specifically for public enjoyment. It's a place where granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and 2,400-foot waterfalls create landscapes that seem impossible.

Quick Facts

• Location — California's Sierra Nevada mountains
• Established — October 1, 1890 (as a National Park)
• Size — 1,169 square miles (748,000 acres)
• Highest Point — Mount Lyell at 13,114 feet
• Annual Visitors — Around 4 million
• Distance from SLC — About 660 miles (10 hours)

The Icons

• El Capitan — 3,000-foot vertical granite face. The world's most famous big wall climb. Alex Honnold free-soloed it in 2017 (no ropes).
• Half Dome — 8,839-foot granite dome rising 4,737 feet above the valley floor. Permit required to summit via cables.
• Yosemite Falls — 2,425 feet total drop, North America's tallest waterfall. Three sections: Upper, Middle Cascade, and Lower.
• Bridalveil Fall — 617-foot plunge, often the first waterfall visitors see. The Ahwahneechee called it "Pohono" (Spirit of the Puffing Wind).
• Tunnel View — The classic Yosemite photograph: El Cap, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all in frame.

Best Hikes

• Half Dome — 14-16 miles round trip. Brutal 4,800 ft elevation gain. The cable section is exposed and strenuous. Permit required (lottery).
• Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls — 5.4 miles round trip to Nevada Fall. You will get soaked in spring. Iconic granite staircase.
• Yosemite Falls Trail — 7.2 miles round trip. 2,700 ft elevation gain to the top of North America's tallest waterfall.
• Mirror Lake Loop — 5 miles. Easy, flat walk to a seasonal lake that reflects Half Dome.
• Glacier Point — Drive up or hike 4.8 miles from Sentinel Dome. Best valley overlook.
• Cathedral Lakes — 7 miles round trip from Tuolumne Meadows. Alpine lakes beneath Cathedral Peak.

The Geology

Yosemite's granite formed from magma that cooled slowly underground about 100 million years ago. Over time, the overlying rock eroded away, exposing the granite. Then, starting about 2-3 million years ago, glaciers carved the valley, creating the dramatic U-shaped profile and sheer cliffs we see today.

• El Capitan Granite — Among the hardest granite in the world, which is why the cliffs are so vertical.
• Glacial Polishing — Smooth rock surfaces where glaciers scraped and polished the granite.
• Exfoliation — Curved sheets of rock peel off domes like layers of an onion, creating Half Dome's shape.

Ansel Adams & Yosemite

Photographer Ansel Adams is inseparable from Yosemite. He first visited in 1916 at age 14 and spent decades capturing the park in iconic black-and-white photographs. His images helped build public support for wilderness protection. The Ansel Adams Gallery still operates in Yosemite Village.

The Firefall

Every mid-to-late February, if conditions are right, the setting sun illuminates Horsetail Fall on El Capitan's eastern edge, making it glow orange and red like flowing lava. This natural "Firefall" lasts only about 10 minutes and draws huge crowds. Completely weather-dependent.

Giant Sequoias

Yosemite is home to three groves of giant sequoias, the largest living things on Earth:

• Mariposa Grove — 500+ mature sequoias, including the Grizzly Giant (over 2,000 years old).
• Tuolumne Grove — 25 mature trees, including one you can walk through.
• Merced Grove — The smallest, most secluded grove. About 20 mature trees.

When to Visit

• Spring (April-May) — Peak waterfall season. Snow melting means roaring falls. Some roads still closed.
• Summer (June-August) — All roads and trails open. Crowded. Waterfalls start to dry up by late summer.
• Fall (September-November) — Smaller crowds, fall colors in the valley, Tioga Road closes with snow.
• Winter (December-March) — Valley open year-round. Snow on cliffs is stunning. Badger Pass ski area open.

Climbing Mecca

Yosemite is the birthplace of American big-wall climbing. The Valley has produced legends: Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, Lynn Hill (first free ascent of The Nose), Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson (Dawn Wall), and Alex Honnold (free solo of El Cap).