| Yosemite National Park is located in the | | | | (summer-fall), a large subalpine meadow |
| central Sierra Nevada of California and lies | | | | surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch |
| 150 miles east of San Francisco and only a | | | | Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a |
| six hour drive from Los Angeles. Designated a | | | | twin of Yosemite Valley. |
| World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is | | | | |
| internationally recognized for its | | | | The geology of Yosemite is characterized by |
| spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear | | | | granitic rocks and remnants of older rock. |
| streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological | | | | About 10 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada |
| diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 | | | | was uplifted and then tilted to form its |
| square-mile park contains thousands of lakes | | | | relatively gentle western slopes and the more |
| and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles | | | | dramatic eastern slopes. The uplift increased |
| of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. Two | | | | the steepness of stream and river beds, |
| federally designated wild and scenic rivers, | | | | resulting in formation of deep, narrow |
| the Merced and Tuolumne, begin within | | | | canyons. About 1 million years ago, snow and |
| Yosemite's borders and flow west into | | | | ice accumulated, forming glaciers at the |
| California's Central Valley. Annual park | | | | higher alpine meadows that moved down the |
| visitation exceeds 3.5 million, with most | | | | river valleys. Ice thickness in Yosemite |
| visitor use concentrated in the seven square | | | | Valley may have reached 4,000 feet during the |
| mile area of Yosemite Valley. | | | | early glacial episode. The downslope movement |
| | | | of the ice masses cut and sculpted the |
| Highlights of the park include Yosemite | | | | U-shaped valley that attracts so many |
| Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; | | | | visitors to its scenic vistas today. |
| Wawona's history center and historic hotel; | | | | |
| the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds | | | | (This information was obtained from the |
| of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's | | | | National Park Service and is in the public |
| (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite | | | | domain. |
| Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows | | | | |