Intro –
Yosemite National Park is a national park of the United States in California. It is bordered on the southeast by the Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers 1,187 sq mi (3,070 km2) in four counties – centered in Tuolumne and Mariposa, extending north and east to Mono and south to Madera. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, groves of giant sequoia, lakes, mountains, meadows, glaciers, and biological diversity. Almost 95 percent of the park is designated wilderness. Yosemite is one of the largest and least fragmented habitat blocks in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Yosemite
Giant Sequoia
Massive, ancient giant sequoias live in three groves in Yosemite National Park. The most easily accessible of these (spring through fall) is the Mariposa Grove near the park’s South Entrance, off of the Wawona Road (Highway 41). Two smaller—and less visited—groves are the Tuolumne and Merced Groves near Crane Flat. Located near the South Entrance of Yosemite, the Mariposa Grove is the largest grove in the park and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. During much of the year a free shuttle is required for use between the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and the Mariposa Grove. There is a variety of trails from easy to strenuous within the grove, as well as some accessible trails. Restrooms are located at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and areas within the grove. Drinking water is available only at the welcome plaza (year-round) and arrival area (summer only) so plan accordingly. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley.
Part of this restoration project focused on creating new trail systems that allowed for accessibility and overall visitor access, while protecting the sequoia ecosystem and promoting ecological health. Some options include:
Big Trees Loop Trail (easy)
- 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop from trailhead, 30 to 45 minutes (wheelchair accessible)
- Begin at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Winding through a forest with many giant sequoias, this trail features the Fallen Monarch and interpretive panels on the life and ecology of giant sequoias. This loop is relatively flat and is wheelchair accessible.
Grizzly Giant Loop Trail (moderate)
- 2 miles (3.2 km) loop from trailhead, 1.5 to 2 hours
- Begin at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Start along the Mariposa Grove Trail at the Big Trees Loop and hike past notable trees such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel Tree. Allow two hours to enjoy the full loop that winds along the edge of the grove and includes 300 feet (91 m) of elevation gain. Visitors with a valid disabled placard can drive as far as the Grizzly Giant parking area and enjoy this area of the grove via a section of trail that is wheelchair accessible.
Guardians Loop Trail (strenuous)
- 6.5 miles (10.5 km) round trip from trailhead, 4 to 6 hours
- Begin at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. After hiking to the tranquil upper portion of the grove, a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop takes hikers past many famous features including the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, the Telescope Tree, and the Mariposa Grove Cabin.
Mariposa Grove Trail (strenuous)
- 7 miles (11.3 km) round trip from trailhead to Wawona Point, 4 to 6 hours
- Begin at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. This wide and relatively smooth trail follows a route that people have used to access the grove for generations. See famous sequoias such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Faithful Couple, and the Clothespin Tree along this somewhat strenuous route to the upper reaches of the grove. Continue to historic Wawona Point, an overlook with panoramic views. Total elevation gain is 1,200 feet (366 m). A number of alternative trails may be used to access the upper portion of the grove. These trails are generally steeper and more primitive than the Mariposa Grove Trail.
Animals
Yosemite National Park is an iconic place, renowned for its towering cliffs and thundering waterfalls. It was here that the idea for the National Park system was born. Today, millions of visitors flock from around the world to experience Yosemite’s natural beauty and for some, their visit is highlighted by their first Yosemite wildlife encounter in a wilderness setting.
When coming to a national park to view wildlife it is important to keep a few safety tips in mind — for your safety AND the safety of the wildlife. First, never feed an animal in a national park. They are wild animals and eat natural foods found in their habitat. Animals fed by humans can become aggressive, sick, or dead. Additionally, you should never approach or touch wildlife. We are guests in their home, and they need their space.
Black Bears
Of the iconic species found in Yosemite, one of the most famous and most thought of is the black bear (Ursus americanus). Most visitors come into the park hoping for the chance encounter of seeing a bear in Yosemite. People often venture to the informational centers of Yosemite requesting where the best place is to possibly see a bear and some even hike all day in hopes of catching a glimpse of the iconic species. For many the black bear is the species that defines Yosemite wildlife.
An estimated 300 to 500 black bears call Yosemite home at any given time and while most visitors envision a black-colored bear, 90% of the bears in Yosemite are brown to blonde in color. Seeing one of these animals in their natural habitat is a unique Yosemite experience that often defines a visitor’s time in the park.
Mule deer
Another iconic and popular Yosemite wildlife species is the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). The first thing many notice about mule deer are their large, mule-like ears — giving them both their name and excellent hearing ability. Their tall ears allow the mule deer to pick up even the slightest dangers like approaching predators. Their huge ears are perfect for Yosemite’s meadows and oak woodlands where keen senses provide an advantage.
Mule deer are also powerful jumpers, thanks to their elongated rear legs. This allows them to jump effortlessly over logs and shrubs with just a few strides. In Yosemite’s rocky high country, their jumping prowess helps them navigate the craggy terrain with surprising agility.
California Ground Squirrel
One species of Yosemite wildlife that visitors may not initially consider iconic, but which nearly all will encounter, is the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi). Despite their small stature, California ground squirrels are remarkably fascinating creatures with some extraordinary traits.
Perhaps their most impressive adaptation is their immunity to rattlesnake venom. Researchers have discovered these squirrels have varying levels of venom-resistance as adults. Even more incredible, mother squirrels gather shed rattlesnake skins, lick them, and then transfer the scent to their pups — helping disguise the young from hungry rattlers before they develop venom-immunity.
Coyote
Coyotes are a common sight in the park, though they are typically shy and avoid humans. If you don’t spot one, you might still hear their howls in the evening. Coyotes are native to the Sierra Nevada and can be found throughout Yosemite, including high country and valley areas. They are often seen hunting in meadows or near water sources.
They are skilled hunters that prey on small mammals like mice and gophers. A common hunting tactic in the snow is “pouncing” or “mousing” to capture prey beneath the surface.
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep
Yosemite is home to over 600 Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep, a species currently on the endangered list. Thanks to preservation efforts, these majestic animals thrive in the park’s higher elevations. For the best chance to spot them, bring binoculars.
Sierra Nevada bighorn range in color from white to dark brown, with a white rump and dark tail. There is some seasonal change in coloration due to the shedding of a thicker winter layer. Specialized hooves with adhesive soles provide traction in steep rocky terrain.
Centuries of unregulated hunting, disease outbreaks, and mountain lion predation took a heavy toll on the Sierra bighorn population. Human-induced threats include habitat loss due to development and climate change, hunting, and competition for food with domestic livestock. However, disease played the largest role in the decline of the subspecies with domestic sheep transmitting virulent diseases, in particular pneumonia from Pasteurella, beginning in the 1870s.
Wildflowers
Monkeyflower
This flower has a large number of species represented in Yosemite, from the lowest to the highest elevations. When you see a monkeyflower, lightly touch the tip of its stigma and notice its two lips slowly close. This traps any pollen brought to the flower by an insect and prevents self-pollination as the pollinator leaves the flower.
Beardtongue
With opposite or whorled leaves, penstemons have a tubular shape with two lips: the upper lip two-lobed and the lower three-lobed. Find more than 250 species, primarily in western North America. Those of the scentless red or magenta variety, such as Mountain Pride, are pollinated by hummingbirds, which lack a sense of smell. Their long tubular flowers allow hummingbirds access but exclude many insects.
Shooting Stars
A distinctive look within the primrose family, shooting stars produce a cluster of four to five flowers that nod to erect in an open umbel, subtended by bracts, terminating in a scape. Known as one of the early spring wildflowers in the lower elevations, shooting stars are pollinated by bees that “grab” the anthers of the plant and vibrate their wing muscles at a frequency that shakes the pollen loose. Listen for the high-intensity buzz of the bees at work. Of the 14 shooting star species in western North America, the Jeffrey shooting star is the most common in Yosemite—reaching its peak in wet areas of mid-elevation montane meadows.
Landmarks
Half Dome
Half Dome is a quartz monzonite batholith at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. It is a well-known rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half.
El Capitan
El Capitan (Spanish: El Capitán; lit. ’the Captain’) is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith is about 3,000 feet (914 m) from base to summit along its tallest face and is a world-famous location for big wall climbing, including the disciplines of aid climbing, free climbing, and more recently for free solo climbing.
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is a major waterfall in Yosemite National Park, known for its height and beauty, dropping a total of 2,425 feet and made up of three separate sections: Upper Yosemite Fall, the Middle Cascades, and Lower Yosemite Fall. Its peak flow is in late spring, but it can become a trickle or completely dry by late summer and fall. Visitors can enjoy different viewpoints, from the accessible, paved loop trail to the base of the lower fall to strenuous hikes to the top of the upper fall
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