Yosemite Valley from Tunnel

Since 1970 We have been going to Yosemite National Park in California about 4-5 times a year, and have never tired of it. Every visit we see... more

by Bob and Nadine Johnston

Title

Yosemite Valley from Tunnel

Artist

Bob and Nadine Johnston

Medium

Digital Art - Fine Art Available On Canvas Or Prints And Gift/note Cards

Description

Since 1970 We have been going to Yosemite National Park in California about 4-5 times a year, and have never tired of it. Every visit we see something new. We prefer to camp outside the valley, our favorite campground is Off Tioga Road near the Western end. If you are not looking close, its easy to miss, and there is a winding road which goes down to a lower altitude. We camp at a site next to a stream that always has water, bring a bottle of wine and cool it in the stream... which is like ice water. At the rear of the campground is a trail which goes in to the top of El Capitan, the peak seen on the left of this image. The view of the Valley is one of the outstanding views, which few see, as the trail is 11 miles long. In some areas you have to climb over downed Sequoia trees which block the trail. But the view makes it worth it, and we backpacked in, to stay overnight, making the trip more leisurely.

Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of California, carved out by the Merced River. The valley is about 8 miles long and up to a mile deep, surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome and El Capitan, and densely forested with pines. A multitude of streams including Tenaya, Illilouette and Bridalveil Creeks join in the valley, and flow out of the valley's mouth as the Merced River, which eventually flows to the Pacific Ocean. The valley is renowned for its natural beauty, and is widely regarded as the centerpiece of Yosemite National Park, attracting visitors from around the world.

The Valley is the main attraction in the park for the majority of visitors, and a bustling hub of activity during "tourist season", with an array of visitor facilities clustered in the middle. There are both hiking trail loops that stay within the valley and trailheads that lead to higher elevations, all of which afford glimpses of the park's many scenic wonders.

Yosemite Valley represents only one percent of the park area, but this is where most visitors arrive and stay. More than half a dozen creeks tumble from hanging valleys at the top of granite cliffs that can rise 3000–4000 feet (900–1200 m) above the valley floor, which itself is 4000 ft (1200 m) above sea level. These streams combine into the Merced River, which flows out from the western end of the valley, down the rest of its canyon to the San Joaquin Valley. The flat floor of Yosemite Valley holds both forest and large open meadows, which provide breathtaking views of the surrounding crests and waterfalls.

Uploaded

October 22nd, 2012