| One of the crown jewels of the National Park | | | | known hike in Yosemite is hiking to the top of the |
| System, Yosemite National Park is a must see for | | | | famed Half Dome. It is approximately 15 miles |
| the camper, backpacker, or anyone who appreciates | | | | (roundtrip) and you gain nearly 5,000 feet of altitude |
| the outdoors. Yosemite National Park is located in the | | | | on your way up. While making your way to the top, |
| central Sierra Nevada of California and lies 150 miles | | | | you will have magnificent views of the Vernal and |
| east of San Francisco and only a six-hour drive from | | | | Nevada falls, and once you achieve the summit, an |
| Los Angeles. Designated a World Heritage Site in | | | | amazing view of the valley below. The final 400 feet |
| 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its | | | | of the climb requires the use of a cable to negotiate |
| spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, | | | | the steep ascent. Plan on this hike taking all day (10 - |
| giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The | | | | 12 hours), and for many, the next couple days to |
| 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains | | | | recover. |
| thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, | | | | If you are not quite ready for hiking through |
| 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. Two | | | | Yosemite, you can take a two hour bus tour |
| federally designated wild and scenic rivers, the | | | | conducted by the National Park Service or enjoy the |
| Merced and Tuolumne, begin within Yosemite's | | | | 12 miles of bike trails that wind around the Valley. |
| borders and flow west into California's Central Valley. | | | | There are several short and relatively easy trails |
| Annual park visitation exceeds 3.5 million, with most | | | | where you can view and feel the spray from some |
| visitor use concentrated in the seven square mile | | | | of the highest waterfalls in North America. You can |
| area of Yosemite Valley. | | | | also spend time in the Ranger Stations learning about |
| Things to Do | | | | the history and wildlife, and even enjoy some ice |
| Yosemite offers a wide array of outdoor activities | | | | cream at the general store. |
| including hiking, biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, | | | | The winter months also have plenty of activities for |
| water activities, stargazing, and rock climbing. The | | | | the whole family. The Badger Pass Ski Area has |
| spectacular scenery is also very popular for artists | | | | downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, and |
| and photographers. The hiking trails range from low | | | | tubing. For the more adventurous, there are |
| impact paths around the Yosemite Valley to | | | | backcountry ski tours with the Yosemite |
| strenuous climbs alongside some of the most | | | | Mountaineering School. Rental equipment is also |
| breathtaking waterfalls you will ever see. The best | | | | available. |