Yosemite

 
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Little Known Facts About Yosemite National Park -

  • We have John Muir’s to thank for the eventual government protection of Yosemite National Park. It was his beautifully descriptive writings of Yosemite that inspired and led to government protection of these lands for people to enjoy.

  • The park is home to over 400 different species.

  • Yosemite bid to host the 1932 winter Olympics, after constructing an 800-foot snow slide, a large ice skating rink, toboggan runs, and several ski jumps.

  • Buffalo Soldiers, African-American Army regiments, were one of the country’s first park rangers. These soldiers were dispatched westward to protect Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Their duties and responsibilities included extinguishing forest fires, evicting poachers, and protecting the area from timber thieves.

  • Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite’s most iconic hotel, was once used as a rehab facility by the U.S. Navy during World War II.

  • There are more than 800 miles of hiking trails throughout the park.

  • Yosemite is home to 3 of the world’s 10 highest waterfalls and 1 of the world’s largest trees, the Grizzly Giant.

  • More than 3.5 million visitors flock to Yosemite each year, with a majority of them during May-October.

  • The famous giant sequoia trees in the park are estimated to be approximately 3,000 years old.

  • Yosemite Valley was formed by glaciers that reached about 4,000 feet in thickness approximately 1 million years ago. Over time, these glaciers slowly moved down the river valleys, creating the U-shaped valley walls and unique landforms.

  • Yosemite is considered the birthplace of rock climbing as a sport.

  • 95% of the park has been designated as wilderness area. Yosemite Valley is only 1% of the entire national park.