It's Our Land - Why Not Visit It!

One of my favorite day trips from my childhood was either Letchworth State Park or Watkins Glen State Park in New York.  There was just something about being outside and enjoying nature.  This love for our lands grew even more with a summer spent interning for the National Forest Service.  Despite all of this, I have yet to visit a National Park in the United States.  If I had to choose one to visit first it would be Yosemite National Park in California.

Yosemite is one of the most photographed and most popular parks in the United States.  It was first set aside as public land by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and became a National Park in 1890.  Currently the park sees approximately 4 million visitors a year.

So what is it about Yosemite that not only draws my attention, but 4 million other people?  It has to be the popular Yosemite Valley.  Unfortunately most visitors only see this part of the park during their visit which makes up only 1% of the actual land that is considered Yosemite National Park.

There are seven different sections of the park: Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Glacier Point, Badger Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Crane Flat, and Hetchy Hetch.  Each boasts it's own view of the granite cliffs, meadows, streams, and flora/fauna that the park is known for.  The most popular activities include hiking and rock climbing with opportunities for the adventurist as well as the novice climber. 

Personally I find the waterfalls breathtaking, and the main reason I want to visit.  Yosemite Falls is the largest waterfall in the United States.  This year's record snowfall on the west coast of the United States lead to a fabulous spring season with a snow melt that made the waterfalls look more majestic then usual.

While the park is open year round, there are roads as well as areas that are closed during the winter months.  Visitors should pack for all weather possibilities whichever season you visit.  Due to the change in altitude as well as unpredictable weather in the fall and spring seasons, and possible thunderstorms in the summer it's important to have layers, as well as rain gear.

Once you've decided on the time of the year for your visit you must decide how you will get to the park, as well as where to stay.  The closest airports are an hour and a half by car.  Amtrak offers a train and shuttle service, and there are bus/shuttle services from the San Francisco area.  It will cost $20 per private car to enter the park, and $10 for bikers and walkers.  They do offer a season pass as well as honoring the National Parks Annual Pass.

Of course the best way to see the park once inside is on foot.  With several trails and areas only accessible by foot.  Cars are permitted to drive around the park, but there is no gas station inside the park, and due to slow speed limits this can be tedious.  If you aren't in the mood or shape to trek miles by foot then there is a shuttle service available with stops at all major sections of the park.  

Where you stay is really based on personal preference.  Your admission is valid for seven days so you have plenty of time to see all 750,000 acres of the park!  You can rest your head at night in a luxury hotel, or rough it in one of the many campgrounds located in the park.  Again, be aware the parks accommodations as well as restaurants are only open March or April-October. 

If you'd like more information on Yosemite I would suggest the Wikitravel website - http://wikitravel.org/en/Yosemite_National_Park#Eat or the PBS guide to our National Parks - http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/.  The Ken Burns documentary on our public lands is very interesting isn't just about Yosemite.

Any park with a Warner Brothers character named after it is certainly worth a visit!  That's all folks!