Description: Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous national parks in America. Each year, more than three million visitors go to the park. The park has breathtaking waterfalls, trees and nature. Also living there are many different species, including deer, bears and squirrels.
General about Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and lies to the east of the State of California, approximately the height of San Francisco. San Francisco is about 310 km away from the national park, which is about four hours drive away.
The best time to visit Yosemite is from April to June, because then the snow is melting and the waterfalls are the best. In the postseason you have particularly beautiful plants in the park. From mid September until about the beginning of April, many roads in the park are closed because of snow. The temperature in summer can reach 32 degrees Celsius. The park has an area of over 3080 square kilometers.
In the park are shuttle buses. This is free to use and they stop at many places where famous landmarks are or where you have nice walks. Everywhere is a shuttle bus every fifteen minutes, so you never have to wait.
There are also visitor centers, shops, museums and restaurants. You can also stay in different places. There are a few hotels within the national park. There are also some campsites. At the camp you have your food in special boxes. Also perfumes, shampoos and other stuff with strange odors have here. That's because the bears, at night these might come. Want to stay in Yosemite, it is advisable to book as early as possible.
Animals in Yosemite
In Yosemite, you can find many different animals. There are many different bird species, from songbirds to raptors. Also you can run into bears and a lot of deer. On the ground you can hardly miss the many squirrels, but there are also guinea pigs and turkeys. There are also coyote, snakes, and feline animals in the park. Also millions of mosquitoes can fly at certain times of the year. Although many people do, it is forbidden to feed the animals. It is also advisable not to close certain animals. Deer are such people fairly quickly, something that is often underestimated by the visitors. Usually the deer are more people than bears do. Be careful!
Sights
Yosemite is actually quite a big attraction and there is so much to do, that you can fill whole books. Therefore I will only mention the more familiar places.
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is a waterfall with a height of 739 meters. In summer there is little or no water from this waterfall. In height, this is the fifth waterfall in the world. The waterfall consists of three parts and the best you can see by a walk.
Vernall Fall
Throughout the year there is water of this waterfall, though in the summer less than in the spring. The waterfall has a height of 97 meters. The waterfall is easy to see by walking or from Glacier Point.
Nevada Fall
Nevada Fall has a height of 181 meters. This waterfall is above Vernall Fall in an area known as the Giant Staircase. Throughout the year there is water of this waterfall and you can see this best by a walk or go to Glacier Point.
Half Dome
Half Dome is one of the most famous rock formations in Yosemite. The formation has a height of 2693 meters and is the landmark of Yosemite National Park. It has a half dome shape for as many experienced hikers on Half Dome provides the necessary challenge.
El Capitan
El Capitan is another famous rock formation. This rock is 2307 meters high. It is the largest granite monolith in the world. See the rock climbers as a challenge and if you look closely from the ground you can almost always see some climbers.
Glacier Point
Glacier Point is the place where to go if you love beautiful views. From Glacier Point you have a beautiful view of Yosemite National Park, El Capitan, Half Dome and waterfalls. Glacier Point has an altitude of 2199 meters and is one of the most visited spots in Yosemite National Park.
Tioga Road
Tioga Road is the highest road in America. If you are on this road you can see very different area of Yosemite, with separate rock formations, plants, trees and big blue lakes. Tioga Road is closed in winter due to snowfall.
Hiking
There are dozens of hiking in Yosemite National Park. Walking is the best way to explore the park and nature really take you. Yosemite is truly a nature reserve where you must walk and not have to drive through. Many walks are to combine and there are both heavy and light tours. All tours also vary in length. It is possible for you to be informed about these tours at the visitor centers
My opinion
Yosemite is truly a magnificent nature, you must have seen to understand how beautiful it is. I had a lot of my travel pictures viewed this nature, but it can not reflect what the beauty of the park was.
The walks in the park are very worthwhile. During my visit I have done three and found them all great. You can only really see the waterfalls when you get there. The immense size of the trees is hard to imagine. And because you're pretty sheltered in a forest walk, you do not suffer from any heat. The Half Dome and El Capitan are much see places in Yosemite. The rock formations are breathtaking. And the falls are well worth a look. Unfortunately I was there during the season and the waterfalls were not optimal. I've seen pictures of how they can be and I would definitely go back in the spring.
During my visit I have seen quite a few animals. Unfortunately, no bears, but deer, squirrels, birds and even a coyote. The squirrels seem at first very cute, but simply aren’t. They are brutal. The staff in the visitor shops and is very friendly. Throughout the park are toilets available, but only at the visitor centers that are equipped with running water. In many places you can be happy drinking water. This water comes straight from the mountains and is fine to drink. The water tastes even better than the water from the tap in America, as there a chlorine taste to it. Although now a half years since I have visited Yosemite, I can still talk with great enthusiasm. Yosemite is terribly nice and has certainly left an impression on me. It is a nature which I think everyone at least once in his life must have been.
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