Half Dome Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in the United States. Numerous artists and photographers have glorified its species, making it the most popular natural screensaver for our computer desktops. Three million tourists come to Yosemite every year to experience the famous valley and other famous natural attractions.

Tourist routes and trails cover only 11% of the entire park area; the rest is protected wilderness untouched by man. Most of the park consists of granite and sedimentary rocks, which, under the influence of erosion, have formed unusual landscape elements - natural columns and pillars, semicircular canyons and gorges, and dome-shaped folds. Half Dome is a perfect example of the latter.

Half Dome is a granite rock (monolith) that is very popular among tourists and one of the symbols of Yosemite National Park. Located in the central part of the Sierra Nevada range (California, USA). This is one of the largest monoliths in North America. The summit is located at an altitude of 2,694 m above sea level and rises 1,450 m above Yosemite Valley. Consists of granite.

Its granite dome is located at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. The 1,444 meter high granite ridge is the valley's most famous landscape. This image appears on the US 25-cent coin series and on modern California driver's licenses.

In 1875, George Anderson was the first to conquer the mountain, making a dangerous climb that had previously been considered impossible. The ascent took 5 days. There are currently more than 10 climbing routes on Half Dome. In addition, one route, Via Ferrata, leads to the top.

About a thousand tourists storm Half Dome every day.

Thousands of people, under the control of national park rangers, climb the rock, and of the 12 km of the way, the last one and a half hundred meters to the top they walk along a special rope route (created in 1919), holding on to two stretched braided metal ropes.

Yosemite Valley is a US national park, so there are strict rules to preserve the nature and rocks in their natural state. Climbers must follow the “leave no trace” principle. In other words, they are obliged to take absolutely everything with them and leave nothing on the route, including waste products. In addition, you cannot leave water or food for the “next group”, for the “next climb”, or for any other reason. Hidden (stashed) water and food are trash!

You cannot make fires unless absolutely necessary. If, in the event of an emergency, the group needs to start a fire, they must use an existing fire pit and subsequently ensure that the fire is completely extinguished.

Overnight stays are also not that simple. No permit is required for overnight stays on the wall or emergency overnight stays at the summit. But, if a group plans to spend the night on the summit, it must obtain appropriate permission. In Yosemite Valley, parking under any wall is prohibited except for the Half Dome, which requires a separate permit to park under. Spending the night at the top of Half Dome is prohibited!

In addition, once the equipment has advanced far enough, the ethics of climbing become essential. Climbers should prepare to climb routes without a hammer, that is, by selecting camhooks and any other equipment that may eliminate the need for hammering. Climbers should also take the time to remove old quickdraws, unusable copperheads, and other useless hardware they encounter along the routes.

All this significantly increases the number of pleasant climbing experiences even along the most popular routes.

There are many routes to get to Yosemite. For example, by plane from Moscow to San Francisco. Then by train or bus to Merced station, then to Yosemite Valley by bus, which takes about 3.5 hours. This is the simplest, but most expensive way ($1000 for round-trip plane tickets). It's much cheaper to fly to Las Vegas ($700 for tickets), but it can take twice as long to get from there to the park.

Sarah Watson became famous for her amazing climbing career: she started climbing at a fairly late age: at 21, but within a year and a half she, together with Sean Jones, created a new route (21 pitches) on the south side Half Dome, which was called "Growing Up" (5.13a, A0).

Sarah is also considered the first woman to reach the top of Half Dome.

Such high popularity forced the authorities to announce in 2010 the introduction, starting from the 2011 season, of certain restrictions (no more than 400 people per day), and permits to be issued in advance (a week in advance) not in the National Park itself but in the service National Recreation Reservation Service. Those who attempt to climb to the top "savages" without permission are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment for 6 months in prison

Kailash:

Q: Is it correct to understand that there are comrades sitting on Kailash who are somewhat similar to this muzzle (top view), but they are only servants of those depicted in this “portrait”?

View from above. Rotate 180 degrees

A: Yes, and there are very few of them there. There is a duty base, but Kailash works autonomously, it is configured. They don’t have to be there, they are on duty, like a watchman or watchman.
Q: So, the invaders themselves built a base there and left?
A: Yes, the base is configured so that strangers will not get through.
Q: Accordingly, they don’t let people in?
A: Neither people nor other creatures. Only our own.

Q: What are the plates used for in Kailash? For space/time deformation, like Kozyrev's mirrors?
Oh yeah. They broadcast signals with programs into space.
Q: So, they really rewrote some of the information around the Earth and the solar system, including in the Akashic records?
A: They don’t even have access to that. There is access to collective memory.

California (geographical map).

Yosemite National Park. Bridesvale Falls and Merced River.

Yosemite National Park is a conservation institution in the United States, in the eastern part of California, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, in the Yosemite Creek valley. The first protected landscape in the United States (since 1864), a national park since 1890. Its area is 304 thousand hectares.

Redwoods in Yosemite National Park.

The founder of the park is considered to be the scientist and explorer John Muir. By the time the territory was discovered by white settlers (in 1851), there were 22 settlements of the Yosemite (or Uzumeti) Indians, which translates as “gray bear.” On June 30, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act protecting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Several species of sequoias grow in the park (giant sequoiadendron and evergreen sequoia); there are about 200 species in the grove of giant sequoias, including two “tunnel trees”, through the trunks of which a car can drive. Sequoia trees are sometimes called monuments of antiquity because they are up to three thousand years old.

California. Yosemite National Park. In the photo: Cascade waterfall (total height - 727 m).

Most of the park is located in mountainous areas with coniferous forests, meadows, lakes and waterfalls. About 80 species of animals live here. The park is home to more than half of America's major waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, Ribbon Fall, and Bridalveil Fall. Every year the park is visited by 3-4 million people.

Half Dome Peak in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Park is the first protected landscape in the United States (since 1864), a national park since 1890.

The attention of tourists is attracted by the granite peaks located in Yosemite Valley. The most famous of them: El Capitan, Half Dome, Mount Lyell. Yosemite Valley was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984.

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the United States, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California. Since 1984, the park has been under the protection of UNESCO.

Yosemite Park covers an area of 3026 km². This vast area features impressive granite cliffs, picturesque valleys and meadows, clear lakes and rivers, waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, and a wide variety of animals and birds.

History of Yosemite National Park

Yosemite in the language of the Apache Indians means the name of the American black bear - the owner of these places. The amazing beauty of the park's current territory was revealed to Americans of European descent in the mid-19th century during the Gold Rush. And this unique area arose thousands of years ago under the influence of a huge continental glacier.

In the 1850s, Yosemite Valley became a very popular vacation destination. And in order to preserve the wild nature of this area, President Abraham Lincoln issued a special document, the Yosemite Grant, in 1864, which referred to the transfer of the valley and the grove of giant sequoia to the state of California. And in October 1890, the park received national status. Subsequently, Yosemite National Park was repeatedly expanded due to land purchased from private owners.

View of Lake Tenaya

Climate

Yosemite Park is located in the Mediterranean climate zone. This means that most precipitation occurs in winter, with the remaining seasons being almost dry. The average daily temperature ranges from −3.9 to 32.2 °C, and the temperature decreases with increasing altitude. In summer, a combination of high temperatures, low humidity and lightning leads to frequent fires.

Attractions in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks. It is home to massive rugged mountains, roaring waterfalls, winding rivers, lush forested valleys and grassy meadows. Yosemite Park has all the conditions for tourists: signs are installed along the entire perimeter, there are walking and cycling paths, and resting areas are equipped.

Yosemite Valley

About 5 million people come to the national park every year and 90% of all tourists visit Yosemite Valley alone. And this is not without reason, because the valley is located in the central part of the park along the picturesque Merced River and is replete with attractions. It is here that you can see the granite monolith El Capitan, almost a kilometer high, beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and animals can be found in the local forests. The main tourist routes begin in Yosemite Valley and all the infrastructure is located: cafes, campsites and shops.

Granite rock Half Dome

Half Dome is a granite monolith located in the eastern part of the national park. The height of the rock is 1450 meters above Yosemite Valley. The first ascent to the top dates back to 1875, before which the rock remained inaccessible.

Today, Half Dome is popular both among ordinary tourists without climbing skills and among professionals. About 50,000 people conquer the granite rock every year. The last part of the journey, the so-called dome of the rock, 144 meters high, goes along a special cable car.

Tuolomne meadows

Tuolumne Meadows are located on the mountain plateaus in the eastern part of Yosemite National Park. There are mountains around, so mountaineering is popular in this area; there is also a route through the meadows to the highest peak of the park - Mount Lyell. Due to the distance from the central valley, there are few tourists here.

Yosemite's most famous waterfalls

In the territory of the national park, thanks to the large number of steep cliffs, there are a lot of waterfalls. They can be seen in all their glory only in the spring, when the snow begins to melt. By the end of summer, the waterfalls turn into thin streams, and some dry up completely.

Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America with a fall of 740 meters. It consists of three stages: the height of the upper cascade is 435 m, the middle one is 207 m and the lower one is 98 m. You can climb a steep slope to the top of Yosemite Falls.

Horse Tail Waterfall

Horsetail Fall is located on the eastern slope of El Capitan Mountain. It consists of two flowing streams of water, reminiscent of a horse's tail, hence the name. With a water fall of 650 meters, Horsetail is the third highest waterfall in the park.

This waterfall is also known as Firefall. Just a few days in February, the waterfall resembles hot lava flowing from the top of a mountain. This phenomenon occurs as a result of the reflection of the rays of the setting sun in the falling stream of water. Many people gather to see this phenomenon.

Bridleveil Falls

Bridalveil Falls is also very popular among tourists; translated from English Bridalveil means “bridal veil”. This waterfall is famous for the fact that throughout the entire fall (190 meters) the water practically does not touch the rocks.

Nevada and Vernal Falls

Nevada Fall, 180 meters high, is located in the upper reaches of the Merced River, and Vernal Fall, 96 meters high, is located in the lower reaches of the river. The first waterfall is located far from the park entrance, but is clearly visible from the Glacier Point observation deck. Vernal Falls can be reached via the Mist trail, which is a relatively easy route. Standing at the top right next to the falls, the view is stunning.

Mariposa Sequoia Grove

Mariposa Grove is a grove of giant sequoias consisting of 500 trees. It is located in the southernmost part of Yosemite National Park.

From 2015 to 2017, work was carried out to develop the grove, as a result of which the tram tracks were removed and convenient asphalt paths for pedestrians appeared.

Some of the trees deserve special attention:

The Washington tree is the largest tree in the grove, with a volume of 1355 m³.
Giant Grizzly is the oldest sequoia in the grove. The age of this tree is approximately 1900-2400 years, height - 63.7 m, trunk diameter at the base - 29.5 m. The giant grizzly bear ranks 25th in the list of the largest trees in the world by volume.
The Fallen Monarch is a sequoia tree that fell in the 18th century. After three hundred years, the trunk remains strong, since sequoias are very resistant to decay.
Bachelor and Three Graces are a group of four trees, three of which grow very close to each other and are noticeably thinner than the fourth. The roots of these redwoods are so intertwined that the fall of one tree will lead to the death of the rest.
With a height of 87 meters, the Columbia Sequoia is the tallest tree in the entire national park.
California Tunnel is the only living tree with a tunnel cut through it.

Glacier Point Lookout

Glacier Point is located at an altitude of 2200 meters and offers magnificent views of Yosemite Valley from above. This is the only observation deck that can be reached; all the others require difficult climbs along trails.

Flora and fauna of Yosemite Park

The national park, in addition to its beautiful landscapes, is also attractive for its diverse flora and fauna. Yosemite's extremely rich flora consists of 1,450 plant species. In the mixed coniferous forests of the park, Lambert pine, Geoffrey pine, calocedrus, plain fir and pseudo-hemlock grow, as well as velvety oak. As the height increases, the trees grow shorter and sparser.

Throughout Yosemite, you can find a variety of wildflower species that are present most of the year.

The fauna of the national park is represented by 300 species of vertebrates. It is home to the black bear, coyote, gray fox, black-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, squirrels, marmots, hares and others. There are about 150 species of birds and reptiles in the park.

Tourist information

The national park is open to visitors 24/7.

Prices for a 7-day Yosemite pass:

$15 - per person;
free - children under 15 years old and beneficiaries;
$30 - car, bus (up to 15 seats);
$25 - motorcycle;
$15 - horse, bicycle;
$125 - commercial tour (bus, 7-15 seats);
$200 - commercial tour (bus, 16-25 seats);
$300 - commercial tour (bus, from 26 seats).

When entering the national park, you must pay per vehicle and per person. The entry pass is valid for 7 days, allowing you to travel in and out of Yosemite as much as you like.

You can purchase a Yosemite Annual Pass for $60, which provides free admission to the park for 12 months from the date of purchase.

If you have the opportunity to travel around the country, be sure to buy an annual pass to all US national parks and reserves for $80. We recommend visiting the Grand Canyon, Mount Rainier, Glacier and other equally amazing places.

Attention! Prices are for 2018. You can check the current prices on the official website of the national parks: https://www.nps.gov/index.htm.

Movement within the park

Most tourists prefer to travel around the park by car, which is very convenient, but some roads are closed between November and June and you should be aware that GPS devices do not always provide accurate directions within the park. You can also get to the necessary attractions by free shuttle buses that run in a circle. In addition, the park has a bicycle rental service.

If you are not traveling in your own “home on wheels,” then we strongly recommend that you book a campsite in the park or campsite several months before your planned trip.

Extreme entertainment

Yosemite National Park is one of the world's largest extreme sports destinations:

mountaineering;
rock climbing;
kayaking;
rafting;
skiing;
hiking trip;
slacklining - walking on a line.

Attention! There is a high chance of encountering the animal in Yosemite National Park. You can read the recommendations on what to do when meeting an animal, in particular a bear, by following the link.

Yosemite National Park on Yosemite West map

Yosemite Park covers an area of 3026 km². In this vast territory you can see impressive granite rocks, picturesque valleys and meadows, clear lakes and rivers, a waterfall..." />

Half Dome is the hallmark of Yosemite National Park. The summit of this monolithic rock is 2,694 m above sea level and rises 1,450 m above Yosemite Valley. California geologists in 1865 recognized Half Dome as one of the most beautiful peaks of the Sierra Nevada range, which, however, will never be conquered by people. However, nothing is impossible for a person, and, 10 years later, climber George Anderson not only conquered this rock, but also laid the first route that would make Half Dome an achievable goal for many tourists.

Every year, thousands of climbers climb Half Dome, today it is a familiar and exciting entertainment for all lovers of outdoor activities. To get to the rock, you first need to overcome a 13.7 km trek through the park, then a 3.7 km climb and a final forced march along an almost vertical cable car, which takes about 400 m. The route of braided metal ropes was laid in 1919 by the Sierra tourist club for those who do not have special climbing equipment. Now Half Dome is visited daily by about a thousand tourists, a year this figure is about 50 thousand.

The rock is crowned by a small flat plateau, on which summit conquerors can rest and relax a little. Half Dome offers stunning views of the nearby mountain range and Yosemite Valley. Of course, one should not exaggerate the safety of the route, since caution and attentiveness are the main qualities that anyone who decides to repeat the feat of George Anderson should have. It is known that since 1919 there have been six deaths during the ascent, although several of them were associated with the fact that travelers tried to conquer the peak in severe bad weather. In addition, the authorities ensure that ascents are only carried out in an organized manner; those who decide to climb “savages” receive a fine of up to $5,000 or are sentenced to six months in prison.

Half Dome - Yosemite's half dome August 23rd, 2013