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Yosemite Historical Photo - Published 1911 - Courtesy Print & Photographs Division, Library of Congress
Hetch Hetchy Photo taken before the Reservoir was created. See current photo below.
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Structures in Yosemite
The Yosemite Chapel was first used in 1879 by
delegates from 23
states attending a National Sunday School
Convention. The building
seated 125 comfortably, and naturalist John Muir
spoke of the
geologic process in the formation of the Valley.
(What geological
processes and Sunday School have in common, I
haven't the faintest idea).
The Chapel was named in the National Register of
Historic Places on November 12, 1973.
The LeConte Memorial Lodge, a designated National Historic Landmark,
was built by the Sierra Club in 1903. The unique structure honors
eminent University of California geologist Joseph
LeConte, an early Director of the Sierra Club who
died in the Valley in 1901. The rough granite
and wood Tudor-style cottage served as the Valley's
first public information center. The Sierra
Club has operated the Memorial since 1904,presenting
and promoting the conservation ethic through public
programs, educational displays and a library.
Today, Sierra Club members serve as summer caretakers of the Memorial Lodge, and
continue to provide information to visitors on the Sierra Club,
the Sierra Nevada, and conservation issues. A small
library collection includes books on the natural and
human history of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada,
books by and about John Muir, children's nature
literature, and Sierra Club books and pamphlets
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San Francisco, which is 190 miles away on the western coast, gets
it's water from the Yosemite Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
which is created by the O'Shaughnessy Dam, Construction on
the Dam began in 1915 and was completed in 1920, however, the Fight of Hetch Hetchy Valley has continued to this day.
Hetch Hetchy Valley, was considered by many, including John Muir, to be nearly identical in beauty and significance to Yosemite Valley. A long and nationally-polarized fight, pitting preservationists like Muir who wanted to leave wild areas wild against conservationists like Gifford Pinchot who wanted to manage wild areas for the betterment of mankind, ensued. Congress eventually authorized the O'Shaughnessy Dam in 1913 through passage of the Raker Act. The valley was flooded in 1923 by impounding of the Tuolumne River behind the O'Shaughnessy Dam, forming the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. The dam supplies 80% of the drinking water and some cash (from electricity sales) to San Francisco.
Plans are currently being studied for the removal of the dam and alteration of the Hetch Hetchy water system to account for the water loss from the dam removal.
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Downstream is the Toulumne River
year round discharge, from the dam. This discharge supports fish life
downstream from the dam and is determined by
wildlife biologist from the California Department of
Fish and Game.
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Activities In Yosemite
Camping
When I camp in Yosemite Valley, I pitch my tent "Homer", in the Upper Pines campgrounds.
Hiking
Over 800 miles (1300 km) of trails await excited hikers - anything from the easy stroll, to the grueling hikes up several park mountains, to multi-day backpack trips.
The park is best divided up into 5 sections for the day-user - Yosemite Valley, Wawona/Mariposa Grove/ Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, and Hetch Hetchy, and Crane Flat/White Wolf. There are numerous books out there describing park trails, as well as free information available from the Park Service in Yosemite. Most park workers strongly encourage guests to experience other portions of the park on top of Yosemite Valley.
Climbing
Rock Climbing is a very important part of Yosemite. Camp 4 - a walk in campground in Yosemite Valley - has been said to be one of the most important places in the world to the history of rock climbing. Climbers can generally be spotted in the non-snowy months on anything from ten foot (3 m) high boulders to the face of El Capitan. Classes are offered by numerous groups on rock climbing
Summer Activities
Backpacking - Between Late spring and early fall, much of the park is open to multi-day backpack trips. All overnight trips into the back country require a wilderness permit and most require approved bear-resistant food storage. Check with the park wilderness office for more info
Biking - over 15 miles (24 km) of bike trails are present in Yosemite Valley. It should be noted under Park Service regs, bikes are only allowed on paved areas. There is no mountain biking in Yosemite National Park
Swimming/Rafting - Generally about mid-summer, the Merced River in Yosemite Valley becomes warm enough and is still deep enough to raft down substantial portions of the river. For those who don't like the cold water, a few heated pools are available.
Horseback Riding - Stables are open in the summer offering guided rides (generally mule). Public Stables are present in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows. Many operations outside Yosemite ride horses into the park. Horses are allowed in many sections of the "backcountry", however visitors are advised to check with the park wilderness office for more info.
Winter Activities
Much of the park closes due to heavy snow in winter. However Yosemite Valley IS OPEN all year long
Skiing - Badger Pass Ski Area (oldest ski area in California) opens in winter. Skiing is not up to par with Lake Tahoe or Colorado resorts, but has its own charm being in Yosemite. The are several downhill runs and a ski school. Much of the park is open to cross-country skiing, with several backcountry ski huts open for use. Wilderness permits are required for backcountry overnight ski trips.
Snowshoeing - Also known as winter hiking, snowshoes are commonly used to experience portions of Yosemite. Many guided snowshoe walks are conducted in winter by the Park Service and by other organizations
Ice Skating - The Curry Village Ice rink is open between November and March. Smaller than its historical size, the rink still offers room for the figure skaters and those with poor balance. Rink runs 2-3 hr sessions, and cleans ice in between sessions.
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For information on Yosemite National Park, I offer the following links.
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