GLACIER POINT AND THE RIM OF YOSEMITE VALLEY

Glacier Point, above the Valley rim, commands a magnificent view of the High Sierra. Spread before one in panorama are the domes, the pinnacles, the waterfalls, and dominating all, Half Dome, a mythical Indian turned to stone. A few steps from the hotel one looks down into Yosemite Valley, 3,254 feet below, where automobiles are but moving specks, tents white dots, and the Merced River a silver tracery on green velvet. From the little stone lookout, perched on the very rim of the gorge, by means of high-powered binoculars installed for that purpose one may study the detail of the High Sierra and its flanking ranges, miles distant, through a sweep of 180°, as though they were at his very feet. A ranger-naturalist is here in summer to assist visitors and to discuss the geology, trees, birds, and wildlife of Yosemite.

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Yosemite Fall in spring.

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No visitor should leave Yosemite without seeing Glacier Point. It is the climax of all Yosemite views. It is reached by an excellent paved road which leaves the Valley just west of Bridalveil Fall, and then through the 4,233-foot tunnel to Chinquapin, from which point a good oiled mountain road leads through forests of fir and lodgepole pine to Glacier Point. The total distance is 28 miles, or about 1½ hours drive each way. The fire fall is a nightly feature and takes on an entirely different aspect from the top of the cliff. A short drive of a half mile from the main road above Glacier Point brings one to Sentinel Dome, 8,117 feet in elevation, where an unobstructed panorama of the southern half of the park may be had, from the coast range on the west to the snow-capped ridge of the Sierra on the east. A hotel, cafeteria, and Government camp ground are available at Glacier Point.

ALTITUDE OF SUMMITS INCLOSING YOSEMITE VALLEY

Name Altitude above sea level Altitude above pier near Sentinel Hotel

Feet Feet

Basket Dome 7,602 3,642

Cathedral Rocks 6,551 2,592

Cathedral Spires 6,114 2,154

Clouds Rest 9,930 5,964

Columbia Rock 5,031 1,071

Eagle Peak 7,773 3,813

El Capitan 7,564 3,604

Glacier Point 7,214 3,254

Half Dome 8,852 4,892

Leaning Tower 5,863 1,903

Liberty Cap 7,072 3,112

North Dome 7,531 3,571

Old Inspiration Point 6,603 2,643

Panorama Point 6,224 2,264

Profile Cliff 7,503 3,543

Pulpit Rock 4,195 765

Sentinel Dome 8,117 4,157

Stanford Point 6,659 2,699

Taft Point 7,503 3,543

Washington Column 5,912 1,952

Yosemite Point 6,935 2,975

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