A G: California - Yosemite National Park by Aaron

Yosemite National Park

~Aaron

Half Dome statue

Half Dome view

Yosemite National Park has many fun places. It was protected to save nature’s natural look. People can do recreational activities inside these national parks. The biggest reason, however, is to give scientific, educational, and historical values to everyone.

Playing water at
Pohono Bridge
In the park, on the way
to the Bridalveil Fall

Playing water at
Pohono Bridge

Playing water at
Pohono Bridge
till dark

Bridalveil Fall

El Capitan - The Nose
Giant Rock

Upper and Lower Falls

Half Dome

The flat tent

Setting up the tent

The finished tent

Inside our tent

Campfire (roasting marshmallows)

campfire

We had an awesome time during our first day in Yosemite. Once inside the park, we saw the famous Half Dome, which many people climb every year. Yosemite also has many streams and waterfalls, such as the Bridalveil Fall, Upper Yosemite Fall, and the Lower Yosemite Fall. After we finished building the tent, it was already night! All of us quickly ate food and s’mores before going to sleep.

A squirrel in the campsite

At the Happy Isles

Yosemite, home to black bears
At the Happy Isles

Proof of a bear attack
At the Happy Isles

The second day in Yosemite was as wonderful as the first day. I had to stay behind at our old campsite while the rest of us worked on the new campsite. While waiting, I saw 2 squirrels pass by. The Happy Isles Visitor Center contained many interesting facts about the Yosemite wildlife. It showed what happens if you leave food inside the car with a broken car door, so always leave your food inside the bear locker.

Vernal Fall

Much more close up of the Vernal Fall

Still the Vernal Fall

Vernal Fall

Nevada Fall

Top of Nevada Fall

Climbed to Vernal Fall

Wish next time go to
Nevada Fall

Sunset at the Sierra giant mountains
Our 2nd day at Yosemite

We went to the fabulous falls in the High Sierra Loop Trail later in our second day. My mom couldn’t even pass the footbridge of the first fall, which was about half a mile! Unfortunately, I rested about one mile in the trail at the Vernal Fall (first fall), making me lag behind my father and Gordon. Even then, I managed to get to the start of the Nevada Fall trail (the one my dad and Gordon got to before turning around. The view from the trail starting point was already close enough to see the falls (just a mile away)!

Mirror lake

Mirror Lake
known for perfectly reflecting the surrounding mountains

Mirror Lake meadow

Flowers at Mirror Lake

The sunrise at Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake sunrise

A deer next to our campsite

Crossing the Lower Pool
of the Mirror Lake

In the early morning of our third day, we walked to the Mirror Lake, known for perfectly reflecting the surrounding mountains. Along the way, we saw a deer eating plants next to the campsite! Many people passing by were riding bikes to the trail. Flowers and meadows can be found right beside the trail. The sunrise we viewed at 9:00 was very beautiful (it was already 9 because of the tall mountains).

Trail leads to the Upper Fall and Lower Fall

El Capitan

Playing sand at
Cathedral Beach

Played with sand at Cathedral Beach

Playing at
Cathedral Beach

Playing with the cold water
at Cathedral Beach

Crossing the Merced River,
from Cathedral Beach
to our car

A duck at Merced River

A snake in Merced River

Before exiting the park, we played at Cathedral beach, a sand beach beside El Capitan. El Capitan is a famous mountains many people climb every year, just like Half Dome. I saw a snake swimming inside the water where I was standing, so I immediately told my mom to take pictures (but all are blurry).

Yosemite is an excellent national park to visit. It is full of waterfalls and high mountain peaks. It has many beautiful flowers. Wildlife in Yosemite help people see what animals are like in their own natural habitat. Yosemite National Park has many fantastic things to do and see.