Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, created in 01 October 1890, is one of the oldest nature preserves in the United States. It is the Nation's third oldest national park also. 

Yosemite National Park was established for the purpose of preservation of the resources that contribute to its uniqueness and attractiveness. A wonderland of geological formations and biological diversity, the park spans nearly 1,200 square miles on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada range in central eastern California. In 1855, the first tourists visited Yosemite. As more visitors came to Yosemite via horseback and stagecoach, entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to provide goods and services in this remote destination. Soon, lodging and homes were built and meadows became home to livestock and orchards. Yosemite National Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park ranges from 2,000 feet above sea level to more than 13,000 feet. The major attractions are alpine wilderness, three groves of Giant Sequoias and the glacially carved Yosemite Valley with impressive waterfalls, cliffs and unusual rock formations. Yosemite’s climate is strongly influenced by elevation and by the mountainous terrain. Summers are warm, with many hot days when high temperatures often reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C) in the valley, and afternoon thunderstorms can occur, especially at higher elevations. Winters are cold and snowy.  Annual total precipitation in the valley averages about 36 inches (910 mm), and snowfall averages about 65 inches (1,650 mm).

Yosemite National Park is full of natural resources. There are 90 known species of mammals in the park. They are mule deer, black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, coyote, foxes, raccoon, bats, chipmunks, squirrels, and gophers. 12 amphibian and 22 reptile species inhabit the park. Common lizards include the western fence and the northern and southern alligator lizards. Snakes include three species of garter snake, mountain king snakes, rubber boas. Only the western rattlesnake is venomous. Amphibians include the western toad and its relative, the endemic Yosemite toad, and five species of frogs, along with salamanders and newts. Over 150 species of birds regularly occur in the park, with around 80 additional species that have been seen in Yosemite National Park only a few times. Yosemite National Park huge elevation range leads to five different plant zones. The Foothill Woodland Zone is found at the lowest elevations, gets almost no precipitation, and includes manzanita and blue oak. Next is the Lower Montane Forest which includes ponderosa pine, incense cedar, and white fir, along with the giant sequoias. The Upper Montane Forest lies further up and is characterized by red fir and lodgepole and jeffrey pine. The Subalpine Forest, just below treeline, is filled with western white pine, mountain hemlock, and lodgepole pine. The Alpine zone is above treeline and contains mostly herbaceous plants with quick growing seasons.  

More than 3 million visitors each year come to see Yosemite National Park. Park is open 24 hours a day, Highest visitation in June, July and August and the lowest in December, January and February in Yosemite National Park.