Like cathedrals rising from the valley floor, Yosemite's towering spires of granite are a testament to the glaciers that formed this land eons ago. The glaciers are all gone now but the Merced River still meanders through Yosemite Valley and, on occasion, will alter the landscape with its powerful floods.
Native Americans were the main residents of the Yosemite Valley until the 1849 gold rush brought thousands of miners and settlers to the region. Tourists and damage to Yosemite's ecosystem followed. Had this land not come under the protection of the federal government in 1864 by the stroke of President Lincoln's pen, these 12,000 square miles would have been further damaged by commercial exploitation.
In 1889, naturalist John Muir realized that the vast meadows of Yosemite were being overgrazed by domestic sheep herds. Muir and his colleagues lobbied congress to recognize Yosemite as a national park. The effort succeeded and on October 1, 1890 President Benjamin Harrison signed the congressional action creating America's third national park. This bill set aside over 1500 square miles (similar in size to Rhode Island), and the way was paved to immortalize the towering granite steeples, the powerful glaciers, the deep valleys and majestic waterfalls for future generations. In 1906 the state-controlled Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were finally added to the park.
Native Americans were the main residents of the Yosemite Valley until the 1849 gold rush brought thousands of miners and settlers to the region. Tourists and damage to Yosemite's ecosystem followed. Had this land not come under the protection of the federal government in 1864 by the stroke of President Lincoln's pen, these 12,000 square miles would have been further damaged by commercial exploitation.
In 1889, naturalist John Muir realized that the vast meadows of Yosemite were being overgrazed by domestic sheep herds. Muir and his colleagues lobbied congress to recognize Yosemite as a national park. The effort succeeded and on October 1, 1890 President Benjamin Harrison signed the congressional action creating America's third national park. This bill set aside over 1500 square miles (similar in size to Rhode Island), and the way was paved to immortalize the towering granite steeples, the powerful glaciers, the deep valleys and majestic waterfalls for future generations. In 1906 the state-controlled Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were finally added to the park.
This gallery contains some of my favorite Yosemite National Park images that are available as downloads and fine art prints. To view the gallery, click here or on the photo collage above. When you are in the gallery, click on a thumbnail to enlarge an image. To navigate the images click on the arrows. To see the captions click on the (i) symbol.
Check out my Yosemite National Park images on Getty Images, Istockphoto and Fine Art America
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