Yosemite: A Park Tour

By Mark Negus

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 To

My Grade

I will always love and cherish you

Not Your Average Vacation

It's almost that time of year again. The time when we all go our separate ways to relax and
recharge. You might go to a theme park, some might visit a relative, or travel to a new state.
They’re all fun but sometimes you just want a little more out of your vacation. Tucked away
amongst the ranges in the Sierra Nevada’s lies a mini paradise unlike anywhere else on the
planet. Littered with trees, teeming with life, bathed in sunlight with pillars of stone
thousands of feet high enclosing the untouched valley from the rest of the world: Yosemite
is more than your average vacation destination.

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 Now Boarding
Before departure, we have to overview the park and some of the places we’ll be visiting.
Yosemite is comprised of a lot: thousands of plants, animals, and geographic features like
Yosemite falls, one the biggest waterfalls on earth. Covering about 800,000 acres (almost
as big as Rhode Island), Yosemite has about 4 million guests per year (as much as Knott’s
Berry Farm) and is densely packed with wildlife, has its own officer force, includes many
museums, is very popular for skiing, rock climbing, river sports, camping, and hiking. Make
sure to be on the lookout for vocabulary words along the way, definitions will be at the
bottom of each page.

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Comprised: made up of Geographic features: physical features of an area, like waterfalls and mountains
Yosemite Park History

Yosemite’s history starts about 40 million years ago with the formation of the Sierra Nevadas. Then,
rivers started to help make the shape of the valley and transfer sediments. Later, (only about 3 million
years ago) the Sierra Nevadas were so cold they formed glaciers, which eventually melted, and
transfigured Yosemite into roughly what we see today, by creating more lakes and rivers, which shaped
the valley further. In more recent history, Yosemite was occupied by the Ahwahneechee people around
8,000 years ago. Many other tribes resided there until about the 1800s when early Americans began to
take notice of the valley for various reasons, notably, the gold rush. Soon, this influx of outsiders drove
out the Natives or the Natives joined with these new inhabitants until there was a very small population
left living in Yosemite. Finally, in 1890, Yosemite became the 3rd national park. Recently, Yosemite
gained new attention and popularity when climber Alex Honnold scaled the face of half dome (2,000)
feet without any ropes, this was later made into a mainstream movie.
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Transfigured: transformed, changed Influx: A large arrival or stream of something, like people
Rivers
Here we can see a prominent feature of Yosemite: rivers. There are two main river ways in
Yosemite: The Tuolumne River System, which spans 54 miles, and the Merced River which
flows through 81 miles. These rivers are divided into thousands of smaller areas like the
one in this picture. Rivers are a vital part of the natural system that is Yosemite. Rivers
provide the vast range of species sustenance like water and nutrients as well as fuel the
animals that live in symbiosis and commensalism with the vegetation. Rivers indirectly help
animals like the Eastern kingbird, who take shelter in the expanse of trees, which survive
because of the rivers, this is an example of commensalism. Amongst the thousands of
species of plants, animals, and fungi in Yosemite, symbiosis is everywhere. For example,
the mycorrhizae fungi connects the roots of surrounding plants to water sources and in
return, the plant helps the fungi go through the process of photosynthesis.

Prominent: major, noteworthy Commensalism: An association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other is
neither benefited or harmed Sustenance: a source of strength; nourishment Symbiosis: An association in which two organisms
benefit each other
Rivers:

Rivers also shape the way Yosemite looks. You may be familiar with the Grand Canyon, it was
formed by a river over thousands of years. Like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite looks how it does
today because of its rivers. Rivers like the Merced and Tuolumne are what made Yosemite a
valley, and could change the way Yosemite looks thousands of years in the future.
 Animal Species

There are over 400,000 species of animals packed in the colossal terrain of Yosemite,
many are almost exclusive to the park. About 40 of these species are endangered, notably,
grizzly bears, and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.Because of the waterways, Yosemite also
has a large population of amphibians and fish. In fact, conservationists are helping some
frog species by restoring them to their natural habitat and non-indigenous species of fish
are being removed to balance the ecosystem. Tree-covered Yosemite is also an ideal place
for birds, some of the main inhabitants. Yosemite’s unique terrain and wildlife has helped
animals like Grey Owls evolve into slightly different species. However, there are unique and
common birds alike amongst the roughly 260 types of birds that have been found in the
park.

Amphibians: small vertebrates, usually close to water Indigenous: native

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 Animal Species

Despite the other amazing creatures that inhabit Yosemite, the main species to be seen are
found in the meadows and forests, grazing and hunting; black and grizzly bears, mule deer,
and assorted sheep. These animals all benefit from the lush variety of grasses and other
ground cover. The grazing animals have plenty of nutritious food and hunting animals like
mountain lions in turn get healthy prey when they hunt.

Assorted: varying, mixed

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Plant Species

Yosemite has about 1500 species of plant scattered throughout the park, with about 200 of
those being exotic, non-native plants. These plants however, are not all evenly distributed
but rather, divided in different regions depending on the local terrain of the area. This is
because of the vast size of Yosemite, it is like its own mini-state and therefore has different
climates and ecosystems within the park as a whole. For example, in the
foothills/woodlands, the trees are generally scattered, smaller, and surrounded by brush
that are more adapted to heat. Whereas a region like the lower mountain forest holds larger
trees like seders, firs, pines, and of course the world famous giant sequoia trees.

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 Plant Species

Next, we have the upper mountain area of Yosemite, starting at 6,000 feet. Because this
area is higher up, it snows more heavily there, resulting in slightly different flora. The
geography is also different, allowing wildflowers like the diminutive alpine paintbrushes to
bloom in the high altitude meadows. After this, the subalpine forest, at 8,000 feet. This is
an area where all the flora are highly adapted to the cold temperatures and high winds.
Plants like the lodgepole pine thrive in these specialized conditions.Lastly, we have the
alpine zone, which spans from 10-20 thousand feet.This area is almost as tall as airplanes
fly and has no trees at all.The extreme conditions allow very few species to inhabit the
area.Only incredibly specialized plants like monkeyflower live there.

Flora: plants of the region

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http://snrs.ucmerced.edu/natural-history/life-zones
 Conservationists and Their Efforts
The rich history of Yosemite conservationist begins with President Lincoln and his
designation of Yosemite as a protected area in 1864. However, the largest helper in saving
Yosemite is unquestionably John Muir. In 1890, Muir expanded President Lincoln’s
protection by re-drawing the boundaries of Yosemite and successfully directing a
movement to help convince congress to protect a much larger area of Yosemite. Muir then
founded the Sierra Club in 1892 which dedicated itself to preserving the park and getting
the general public involved, the Sierra Club still exists today. Now however, the Sierra Club
combined with government resources allow the park to be furnished and maintained
exceptionally well. Millions of dollars, hundreds of programs, thousands of jobs, all go into
maintaining the humongous and beautiful grounds of Yosemite. These programs have a
huge variety of scientists and workers studying, contributing (plants and even animals!),
and monitoring to the park.
Conservationism: The idea of preserving and protecting wildlife for its own sake and
for human uses, like electricity from dams
A Surprising way of Conserving

Amongst the many ways you would expect the money and effort of conserving Yosemite
would be used, there are some surprising techniques. To help conserve Yosemite
conservationists burn it. These controlled burns actually help Yosemite greatly. Wildfires
already happen in the dry climate naturally, but by burning calculated areas at calculated
times, these burns prevent potential massive wildfires that could get out of hand by
removing all the fuel (fuel like dead and dry plants that cover the forest floors) for them.
These fires are a natural part of the Yosemite system and help new life to grow while
preventing a truly natural and untamed fire to spread. In addition, these are scheduled,
usually small, and done by professionals so as to reduce risk of public damage.

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 Yosemite Activities

The list of things to do in Yosemite is endless. Besides the lodges, resorts, and museums,
one can golf, raft, fish, shop, pan for gold, zipline, skydive, horseback ride, bike, birdwatch,
and of course the world famous hiking, rock climbing, stargazing, and skiing, that is unique
to Yosemite.

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Mini Quiz

A) What is the name of the mountain range that Yosemite is in?

B) How was Yosemite formed?
C) What are the two main rivers in Yosemite?
D) About how many species of animals are there in Yosemite
E) What is true about the different types of plants at different elevations?
F) Who founded the Sierra Club and was a lead conservationist for Yosemite?
Answers

A) The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range

B) Tectonic plates, glaciers, and rivers
C) The Tuolumne and Merced
D) About 400,000
E) The plants are more adaptive, and become more scarce as it gets colder
F) John Muir
Vocabulary (in order of appearance)
Comprised: made up of

Geographic features: physical features of an area, like waterfalls and mountains

Transfigured: transformed, changed

Influx: an large arrival or stream of something, like people

Prominent: major, noteworthy

Commensalism: an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other is neither benefited or
harmed

Sustenance: a source of strength; nourishment

Symbiosis: an association in which two organisms benefit each other

Vocabulary
Amphibians: small vertebrates, usually close to water

Indigenous: native

Assorted: varying, mixed

Flora: plants of the region

Conservationism: the idea of preserving and protecting wildlife for its own sake and for human uses, like electricity from
dams
About the author

Mark Negus is a junior in high school who enjoys basketball, chess, swimming,
reading, movies, TV, traveling, and the ocean. Please email me at
mark.c.negus@gmail.com to let me know what you thought of the book, errors,
and any suggestions.
Works Cited

“Animals.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/animals.htm.

Chin, Photograph by Jimmy. “Exclusive: Alex Honnold Completes the Most Dangerous Free-Solo Ascent Ever.” Adventure, 3
Oct. 2018,
www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/features/athletes/alex-honnold/most-dangerous-free-solo-climb-yosemite-national-par
k-el-capitan/.

“Fire Management.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/wildlandfire.htm.

“Fish.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/fish.htm.

“Flora.” Flora | Yosemite and Sequoia Field Stations, snrs.ucmerced.edu/natural-history/flora.

“Fungi.” Fungi | Yosemite and Sequoia Field Stations, snrs.ucmerced.edu/natural-history/fungi.

“Geology.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/geology.htm.

Works Cited

“History of the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center.” Sierra Club, 20 July 2020,
www.sierraclub.org/yosemite-heritage-center/history.

Hydrology. www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/hydrology.htm.

“John Muir's Yosemite.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 July 2008,

www.smithsonianmag.com/history/john-muirs-yosemite-10737/.

“Learn about the Many Lakes and Rivers in Yosemite National Park.” BrightHub Education, 28 Sept. 2010,
www.brighthubeducation.com/help-with-geography/88988-lakes-and-rivers-in-yosemite-national-park/.

“Life Zones.” Life Zones | Yosemite and Sequoia Field Stations, snrs.ucmerced.edu/natural-history/life-zones.

“Plants.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/plants.htm.

“Providing for Yosemite's Future.” Yosemite Conservancy, 5 Nov. 2020, yosemite.org/.

Works Cited

“Symbiotic Relationships - Environmental Science Investigation.” Google Sites,

sites.google.com/site/nnp3eesi/home/symbiotic-relationships.

“Things to Do In Yosemite: What To Do In Yosemite: Best Things to Do.” Discover Yosemite National Park, 21 Aug. 2019,
www.yosemite.com/things-to-do/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8dH-BRD_ARIsAC24umZwGdQh0aSCXf4pK23jnyFSNxg7wqJtZ1tvACJgHL
IeqXZPI8K5uxoaAif0EALw_wcB.

“Where to See Wildflowers.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior,
www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/wildflowerviewing.htm.

Other non-link photos courtesy of Claire Negus