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Yosemite was designated as a national park in 1890. It has long been
one of the most popular of all America's national parks.
Yosemite National Park
embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra
Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a
grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves
of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things.
Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley,
and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic
hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant
sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite
Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows (summer-fall), a large
subalpine meadow surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch Hetchy, a
reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley.
Hiking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, skiing and rock climbing
are favorite land based activities in the Yosemite. Fishing, swimming, rafting and
boating are also popular. There are restrictions on rock climbing. Backpackers
should reserve wilderness permits in advance. Group campsites are available during
the summer season and should be reserved in advance.
Yosemite's elevation ranges from 2000 to 13,000 feet above sea level.
The Park is known for its alpine mountains and waterfalls, including the largest
waterfall in the United States.
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