Camping Trips 2000 : Yosemite National Park© Thomas Stephens Sr.
Aug 1, 2000
Proclaimed California’s first state park by Abe Lincoln, and then designated America’s first National Park in 1890, Yosemite is probably the most famous park in the world. As a result, the park receives over four million visitors a year! Some say it is being loved to death. The traffic jams in Yosemite Valley are infamous during summer months. But, there is good reason people travel here from all over the world. Yosemite National Park is beautiful! Its natural wonders dazzle the eyes, lift the spirits and soothe tired and harried souls. It is a place of soaring mountains, high waterfalls, pure meadows, massive granite domes and dense pine forests. A place where life simply makes sense, and being alive is graciously appreciated.Deep concern for Yosemite’s environs, coupled with the severe flooding of 1997 have underscored the need for implementing the National Park Services General management Plan. Amid much controversy and haggling, some form of these conservation measures should be announced soon. Most all agrees that something must be done to ease the congestion and pollution in Yosemite Valley. Many visitors, however, are now confused as to the parks status and restrictions that are in effect. For answers to many of these questions Yosemitepark.net provides an excellent FAQ page. The Park Service encourages visitors to use the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle to get about the park. Also, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) provides an alternative mode of transit into Yosemite Valley from nearby communities. Bus fare is comparable to the cost of driving a private vehicle into the park. (You do not, by the way, need reservations to enter Yosemite National Park.) About the Park Yosemite National Park is located in Central California about 120 miles east of San Francisco. It is open all year. There are four national forests surrounding the park: the Stanislaus, to the west, the Sierra, to its southwest, the Toiyabe, on the northeast and the Inyo NF on its southeastern boundary. Yosemite has four entry portals. California Highway 41 leads to the southern entrance from Fresno, while Ca. Highway 140 runs from Merced and Mariposa to the southwestern entrance at Arch Rock. From Manteca, California, south of Stockton, Ca., Highway 120 provides access from the west at the Big Oak Flat Entrance. From Lee Vining, Ca. and U.S. 395, Ca., Highway 120 travels over the Tioga Pass (elev. 9,941 feet) to Yosemite’s only eastern portal. Tioga is the highest vehicle pass in California--and closed due to snow from fall to late spring.
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