Known for its incredible trails and beautiful Giant Sequoia’s, Yosemite National Park has been a popular tourist destination for well over 100 years. Still, with as many incredible photos that appear on your Instagram feed, there are a few things to know. Specifically, information about the history of the park.
Large Giant Sequoias… and waterfalls!
In addition to housing some of the largest Giant Sequoia’s in the world, Yosemite is home to Yosemite Falls. What is so great about Yosemite Falls? It is the tallest waterfall in North America and ranked 5th highest waterfall in the world.
Roughly an 8-hour hike, the views atop this treasure are nothing short of breathtaking. But don’t worry, you don’t have to hike the entire trail for memorable photos. In fact, a short two-mile hike will provide you with all you need to capture incredible photos. Once done, you can begin making your way back done to the Valley floor.
Ansel Adams Isn’t the Only Artist to Gain Inspiration from Yosemite
Known for his breathtakingly beautiful photos of Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams has said his life was “colored and modulated by the great earth gesture” of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. This makes absolute sense when you consider how much time he spent there. It is said that from the age of 14 until his death, Adams spent a great deal of time at Yosemite. He even met his wife, Virginia, at the park.
Though, Adams isn’t the only artist to gain inspiration from the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park and draw tourists.
Thomas Ayres and James Hutchings have also influenced the park’s popularity. There was Ayres, an engineering draftsman who painted with watercolors and painting oils. And, Hutchings, a writer who told the world about Yosemite and the Sierra through Hutchings Illustrated California Magazine. Both men were key in drawing attention to Yosemite National Park’s growing popularity.
Learn more about Ansel Adams by visiting The Ansel Adams Gallery.
Tie Sing in Yosemite National Park
“Give him a poor breakfast after he has had a bad night’s sleep, and he will not care how fine your scenery is.”
-Stephen Mather
A Chinese cook helped establish Yosemite and the National Park Service
Tie Sing was hired in 1915 by Stephen Mather to embark on (and cook for) “a two-week wilderness expedition”. The objective was to show influential “business and cultural leaders of the importance of a national park system.” Needless to say, they were impressed. The National Park Service was established one year after the expedition. However, we can’t be sure this would have happened without Sing’s cooking abilities. After all, the members of this expedition did make note of Sing’s ability to whip together a “fabulous dinner”.
Chinese Immigrants Played a Significant Role in the History of National Parks
Sing isn’t the only immigrant to impact the history of national parks.
Following the discovery of gold in California, Chinese descendants worked as miners. That is until 1850s laws passed imposing taxes on non-American miners and laborers. They then began working in others areas, including Yosemite hotels.
A few more tidbits for you to know:
- There is a minimum of 90 species of mammals in Yosemite National Park. Some of the more obvious are black bears, coyotes, and bobcats.
- There are more than 800 miles of exploring for novice and experienced visitors alike.
- We see only a fraction of Yosemite National Park. In fact, majority of the park remains untouched by humans.
Takeaway
There is a ton of information available online. But, nothing compares to learning through experience. So, keep your eyes peeled on your next visit to Yosemite National Park. If you are unsure of where to begin, start with exploring Mariposa Grove. The history is rich and you’ll have fun walking along the trails.
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