The Great Escape: Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest nature preserves in the United States. Created in 1890, Yosemite is almost 748,000 acres, covering almost 1,200 square miles and sits on the western side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are 800 miles of hiking trails and 282 miles of road, making each visit back its own unique experience. With its vast amounts of land, Yosemite is home to over 400 different species of vertebrates. Yosemite is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you are a beginner, moderate or experienced adventurer, there is sure to be a number of fun activities for all levels and ages. Summer activities include rock climbing, horseback riding, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, river rafting, swimming, hiking and wine tours. Many individuals enjoy camping in Yosemite where they can partake in numerous activities during the day, enjoy a warm bonfire at night and fall asleep under the stars with the peaceful sound of a waterfall in the background while you drift off into sleep (see campsite 4). Contrary to popular belief, Yosemite stays open during the winter season, offering a plethora of new activities. You can pick from, or all of, the following activities during the winter season: snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, snowboarding or cross country skiing.

Aside from the physical activities, Yosemite is famous for its Half Dome. Half Dome is a solid piece of granite that sticks straight out of the mountain and as I am sure you can guess, looks exactly like half a dome. For those who enjoy a challenge, you are able to hike Half Dome, which I should mention rises nearly 5,000 ft. from the valley floor. Not only is Half Dome solid granite, but almost all of Yosemite sits on granite.

Half Dome

El Capitan is another major attraction Yosemite has to offer. This 3,000 ft. vertical rock is the largest granite monolith in the world. This stunning rock is a popular climbing destination for experienced climbers.

El Capitan

Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, with water dropping 2,425 ft. to the bottom. The peak water flow occurs in May when the snow melts. During winter this magnificent waterfall turns into a giant ice cone.

*Picture of Yosemite Falls above

The Giant Sequoia trees and the Mariposa Grove are sites that should not be overlooked, if that is even possible. The Grizzly Giant is the largest tree in Yosemite. This tree's trunk has a diameter of approximately 29 ft., 100 ft. around the base, 209 ft. tall and is estimated to weigh about 2 million pounds. The Grizzly Giant is believed to be about 2,700 years old, making it the oldest known Sequoia tree in the world. With so many years under its "trunk," Sequoias' are one of the oldest known living organisms on earth.

Giant Sequoia Tree

Whether your are traveling with family, friends or on a solo adventure, the granite cliffs, raging waterfalls, clear streams, enormous Sequoia trees and breathtaking wildlife of Yosemite National Park is without a doubt a must-see destination for all.

On October 1, 2015 Yosemite will have its 125th Anniversary.

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Lucas Halopoff