Yosemite National Park

Location: Middle eastern California. Area: 1125 square miles. Season: May 1 to November 1. Address of Supervisor: Yosemite, California.

For many years the name Yosemite National Park has been considered synonymous with Yosemite Valley, because only within the last year has it been possible for any one except an experienced mountaineer to enjoy the beauties of the wonderful area of mountains and forest that lies beyond the great Valley. Only a part of it is now supplied with permanent camps, but it is expected that more of these will be established and that more and more of this beautiful Park will be accessible every year. Yosemite is the only great Park that is accessible throughout the year. The season extends from May 1 to November 1, but the hotel in Yosemite Valley is open during the winter for those who desire to see the Park in its winter dress of snow. In winter, however, the higher portions of the Park are accessible only to hardened and experienced mountaineers.

Railroad Connections

The Yosemite Valley Railroad reaches the western border of Yosemite Park at El Portal. This road connects with the Southern Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé Railroads at Merced, where stopovers may be obtained on tourist tickets, and excursion ticket to Yosemite Village may be purchased for $18.50 for the round trip. Through sleeping and parlor cars are also operated from San Francisco to El Portal by way of the Southern Pacific Railroad. The round-trip fare from San Francisco to Yosemite Village is $23.00. During the season the Park may also be reached by automobile stage from Fresno or Merced on the Southern Pacific and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé Railroads. The latest automobile rates from these points by way of the Yosemite Stage and Turnpike Company are as follows:—

Automobile stage fares from Fresno or Merced to—

Yosemite via Mariposa Big Trees, Wawona, and Inspiration Point, in each direction$14.25

Yosemite via Mariposa Big Trees, Wawona, and Inspiration Point, including side trip Chinquapin to Glacier Point and return, in each direction19.25

Yosemite and return to either point via Mariposa Big Trees, Wawona, and Inspiration24.00

Yosemite and return to either point via Mariposa Big Trees, Wawona, and Inspiration Point, including side trip Chinquapin to Glacier Point and return29.00

Wawona, in each direction8.50

Wawona and return to either point, including side trip to Mariposa Big Trees15.00

Wawona and return to either point, without side trip to Mariposa Big Trees14.00

Automobile Routes

The motorist approaching California over the Lincoln Highway should turn south at Ely and reach the Tioga Road at the eastern border of the Park near Mono Lake; distance about 200 miles. There are two routes from San Francisco: via Stockton, Modesto, and Coulterville, 210 miles; or via San José, Gilroy, Los Baños, Fresno, and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, 280 miles. The best route from Los Angeles is by way of Saugus, Neenach, Bakersfield, Tulare, Fresno, and Mariposa Grove of Big Trees; distance 365 miles.

The entrance fee for an automobile is $5.00 for a single trip, or $8.00 for a season permit. Speed limits range from 8 to 20 miles per hour. On account of the snow the Tioga Road is generally not open before July 15 or after October 1, the Big Oak Flat Road not before May 15 or after November 1, the Wawona Road not before May or after November. Motor-cycles are not allowed in the Park.

Click on the map to enlarge it

By permission of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior

TRAVEL-GUIDE MAP OF THE

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK CALIFORNIA

Hotels and Camps

At Yosemite Village in the Valley a new modern hotel is now under construction, but accommodations are now furnished by the old Sentinel Hotel, which has been refurnished, and by a number of camps.

Hotel and Camps in Yosemite Valley

Operated by Desmond Park Service Company:—

Sentinel Hotel, per day$4 to $5

Yosemite Falls Camp, wooden bungalows, per day3.50

El Capitan Camp, wood frames covered with canvas and wood floors, per day2.50

Camp Lost Arrow, operated by W. M. Sell, Jr., per day2.50

Camp Curry, operated by Curry Camping Company, per day2.50

Camp Ahwahnee, operated by W. M. Sell, Sr., per day3.75

At Glacier Point, above the Valley, the Desmond Park Service Company operates the New Glacier Point Hotel, with a uniform rate of $4.00 per day.

At Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Soda Springs, and Merced Lake the Desmond Park-Service Company operates permanent camps known as lodges. These lodges have wood frames covered with canvas and wood floors. The rate at all of the lodges is $3.00 per day, with an additional charge of $1.00 when the lodge is occupied exclusively by one person.

Eight miles from the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, but outside the Park, is the Wawona Hotel at Wawona; rates are from $4.00 to $5.00 per day.

Tours

The main roads in Yosemite National Park are the Tioga Road, which crosses the Park in an east-west direction almost in its center; the Big Oak Flat Road, by which Yosemite Valley may be reached from Modesto and Stockton; the Coulterville Road, by which Yosemite Valley may be reached from Merced; El Portal Road, between the terminus of the Yosemite Valley Railroad and Yosemite Valley; the Wawona Road, connecting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees; and the Glacier Point Road, extending from the Wawona Road to Glacier Point. Travel between points in the Park that are not contiguous to these roads must be made on foot or horseback over the many trails that connect the principal points of interest.

Yosemite Village is the center of all activities in the Park and practically all the trips radiate from this point. Every variety of trip may be taken, ranging from a single day excursion to the peaks surrounding the Valley to a 9-day tour of the High Sierra. Arrangements may be made for extended or special trips, but the tours and trips listed below include the more important points of interest. All of these trips are under the supervision of the Desmond Park Service Company and are made on horseback unless otherwise noted. The rates include transportation only. Meals and lodging may be obtained at Glacier Point Hotel and at the lodges at the regular rates.

One-day trips:—

Vernal and Nevada Falls, round trip $3.00

Vernal and Nevada Falls, Glacier Point and return, continuous, round trip3.00

Vernal and Nevada Falls and Clouds Rest, round trip3.00

Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome via Union Point (short trail), round trip3.00

Yosemite Point, round trip3.00

Eagle Peak, round trip3.00

Pohono Trail to Fort Monroe, thence by automobile from Fort Monroe via Wawona Road to Valley5.00

North Dome via Mirror Lake, and return via Yosemite Falls, or vice versa3.00

Lake Tenaya via Tenaya Cañon, round trip3.00

Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, and Fissures via Union Point (short trail) and return3.00

Two-day trips:—

Happy Isles, Vernal and Nevada Falls, Glacier Point Hotel, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, Dewey Point, and Inspiration Point8.00

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, Nevada and Vernal Falls6.00

Three-day trips:—

Happy Isles, Vernal and Nevada Falls, Merced Lake Lodge, Merced Soda Springs, and Washburn Lake9.00

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, Nevada and Illilouette Falls, and Glacier Point Hotel9.00

Four-day trips:—

Mirror Lake, Merced Lake Lodge, Merced Soda Springs, Washburn Lake, Nevada and Vernal Falls12.00

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, White Cascades, Le Conte, California, Nevada, and Illilouette Falls, and Glacier Point Hotel12.00

Five-day trips:—

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, Tuolumne Meadows, Soda Springs, Tuolumne Soda Springs Camp, Donohue Pass, Mount Lyell, Glen Aulin Falls, Magee Lake, Eagle Peak, and Yosemite Point15.00

Six-day trips:—

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, White Cascades, Le Conte, and California Falls, Soda Springs, Tuolumne Soda Springs Camp, Tuolumne Meadows, Donohue Pass, Mount Lyell, Eagle Peak, and Yosemite Point18.00

Seven-day trips:—

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, White Cascades, Le Conte and California Falls, Tuolumne Meadows, Soda Springs, Tuolumne Soda Springs Camp, Donohue Pass, Mount Lyell, Nevada and Illilouette Falls, and Glacier Point Hotel21.00

Eight-day trips:—

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, White Cascades, Le Conte and California Falls, Tuolumne Meadows, Soda Springs, Tuolumne Soda Springs Camp, Donohue Pass, Mount Lyell, Merced Lake Lodge, Merced Soda Springs, and Washburn Lake24.00

Nine-day trips:—

Mirror Lake, Tenaya Lake Lodge, Cascades, Le Conte and California Falls, Tuolumne Meadows, Soda Springs, Tuolumne Soda Springs Camp, Tuolumne Pass, Mount Lyell, Merced Lake Lodge, Merced Soda Springs, Washburn Lake, and Glacier Point Hotel27.00

Automobile trips to points reached by road may be made at the following rates:—

From Sentinel Hotel or any of the permanent camps:—

To or from Happy Isles or Mirror Lake, one way$ .75

Round trip to Happy Isles or Mirror Lake1.25

To Bridal Veil Falls, one way1.00

To Bridal Veil Falls, round trip1.75

To Happy Isles, Mirror Lake, the Village, Cathedral Rocks, Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, round trip3.25

To Happy Isles, Mirror Lake, the Village, Cathedral Rocks, Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, Artist and Inspiration Points, round trip4.50

To Artist and Inspiration Points, round trip3.00

From Yosemite Valley:—

To Wawona, one way5.50

To Wawona, round trip9.50

To Mariposa Big Tree Grove and return to Wawona7.75

To Mariposa Big Tree Grove, round trip11.25

To Mariposa Big Trees and return via Inspiration Point and Wawona, including side trip Chinquapin to Glacier Point and return$16.25

To Glacier Point, one way5.50

To Glacier Point, round trip9.50

To Tuolumne Big Trees, one way2.50

To Tuolumne Big Trees, round trip4.25

To Tenaya Lake via Tuolumne Big Trees, one way8.75

To Tenaya Lake via Tuolumne Big Trees, round trip15.25

To Soda Springs via Tuolumne Big Trees, one way10.00

To Soda Springs via Tuolumne Big Trees, round trip17.50

From Glacier Point:—

To Mariposa Big Tree Grove and return to Valley or Glacier Point11.25

To Wawona, one way5.50

To Wawona, round trip9.50

The automobile rates from Yosemite Village to El Portal, Fresno, and Merced are given in connection with the account of the railroad connections.

Principal Points of Interest

Distances from Yosemite Post-Office to Principal Points in Yosemite Valley

Miles

Basket Dome (top of)9.0Northeast

Camp Ahwahnee1.0West

Camp Curry1.0East

Camp Lost Arrow.5North

Clouds' Rest11.0East

El Capitan3.5West

Glacier Point4.5South

Glacier Point Hotel and Camp4.5South

Half Dome (foot of)3.0East

Happy Isles2.5East

Liberty Cap5.5East

Mirror Lake3.0East

Mount Watkins (top of)9.0East

Nevada Falls6.0East

North Dome (top of)11.0Northeast

Sentinel Rock1.0West

Tenaya Cañon4.0East

Union Point3.0South

Vernal Falls5.0East

Yosemite Falls.5North

Mariposa Big Tree Grove

Sizes of Big Trees in Mariposa Grove [All dimensions are in feet]

TreesGirth at baseApproximate diameter at base Girth about 10 feet above groundApproximate diameter about 10 feet above groundHeight

Grizzly Giant 93 29.6 64.5 20.5 204

Faithful Couple 94 29.963 20 244

Michigan 55.5 17.7 40 12.7 257

Fresno 63 20 38.5 12.2 273

Columbia 80.5 25.6 52 16.5 294

Old Guard (South Tree) 45 14.3 31 9.9 244

Lafayette 92.5 29.4 53 16.9 273

Nevada 48.5 15.4 35 11.1 278

General Sherman 63 20 41.5 13.2 267

General Grant 67 21.3 42 13.4 271

General Sheridan 76 24.2 51 16.2 263

Philadelphia 61.5 19.6 50.5 16.1 275

St. Louis 73 23.2 51 16.2 269

Lincoln 72 22.9 54.5 17.3 258

Washington 92 29.3 65 20.7 235

William McKinley 70 22.3 46.5 14.8 243

General Logan 76 24.2 49.5 15.7 259

Galen Clark 59.5 18.9 47 14.9 238

Pittsburgh 53.5 17 41 13 242

Vermont 47 14.9 38 12.1 257

Wawona (26 feet through opening .. .. 60.5 19.2 227

New York 52 16.5 45.5 14.5 237

Forest Queen 53.5 17 38 12.1 219

Boston 58 18.4 47 14.9 248

Chicago 57 18.1 40.5 12.9 223

Whittier 62 19.7 47 14.9 268

Longfellow 51.5 16.4 43 13.7 273

Captain A. E. Wood 52 16.5 40 12.7 310

Mark Twain 53 16.9 41 13 331

Mississippi 54.5 17.3 37.5 11.9 269

Stonewall Jackson 53 16.9 38.5 12.2 265

Georgia 48 15.3 35 11.1 270

South Carolina 74 23.5 54.5 17.3 264

Principal Points reached from the Camps

All the places listed below may be reached on horseback and return made to camp in one day:—

From Merced Lake Lodge:—

Merced Soda Springs. Washburn Lake.

From Tenaya Lake Lodge:—

White Cascades. Le Conte Falls. California Falls.

From Tuolumne Soda Spring Lodge:—

Donohue Pass. Mount Lyell. Tuolumne Meadows. Tuolumne Pass.

Height of Summits in Yosemite Valley

NameHeight above pier near Sentinel Hotel[1] (feet)

Artist Point739

Basket Dome3,642

Cathedral Rocks2,591

Cathedral Spires2,154

Clouds' Rest5,964

Columbia Rock1,071

Eagle Peak3,813

El Capitan3,604

Glacier Point3,254

Half Dome4,892

Leaning Tower1,903

Liberty Cap3,112

North Dome3,571

Old Inspiration Point2,643

Panorama Point2,264

Profile Cliff3,543

Pulpit Rock765

Sentinel Dome4,157

Stanford Point2,699

Washington Column1,952

Yosemite Point2,975

Height of Waterfalls in Yosemite Valley

Feet

Yosemite Falls1,430

Lower Yosemite Falls 320

Nevada Falls594

Vernal Falls317

Illilouette Falls370

Bridal Veil Falls620

Ribbon Falls1,612

Widow's Tears Falls1,170

Clothing and Equipment

As the best trips are made afoot or on horseback the tourist should carry only such extra clothing as may be transported in a haversack or rucksack. If additional material is carried it is necessary to hire a pack-horse at additional expense. The best outfit for men consists of woolen riding-breeches, flannel shirt, stout shoes, sneakers, woolen army socks, light weight woolen underwear, a felt hat, a sweater, and a pair of smoked glasses. As it seldom rains in the summer it is not necessary to carry a poncho. If many trips are made in automobiles a linen duster is advisable. Women should wear riding-breeches, woolen middy blouse, and woolen stockings, with puttees or leggings, a man's felt hat, and other clothing as described for men.

Camping outfits may be obtained from the store of the Desmond Park Service Company at Yosemite Village, and provisions may be obtained at the Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Soda Springs, and Merced Lake Lodges. Tourists desiring to rent camp equipment should make the necessary arrangements before their arrival in the Park. Prices for regular outfits are as follows:—

Price List for Camping Outfits

Persons in partyOne weekTwo weeksThree weeksOne month

One $5.00 $6.50 $7.50 $8.00

Two 7.50 9.00 9.50 10.00

Three 9.00 10.50 11.50 12.00

Four 11.00 12.00 13.00 14.00

Five 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00

Six 15.00 16.00 17.00 18.00

Fishing

There is good fishing in almost all the streams for Eastern brook, rainbow, cutthroat, and Loch Leven trout. The flies most commonly used are the black gnat, royal coachman, alder, king of the waters, and gray hackle; but other standard flies are used. Flies and tackle may be obtained at the general store at Yosemite Village. All fishing must be done in conformity to the laws of California, both as regards open season and limit of catch, and size of fish. Every man fisherman over 18 years of age must have a fishing license, which may be obtained from any County Clerk or from the offices of the State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners at San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Fresno. The license fee is $1 for citizens of the United States who are bona-fide residents of California, and $3.00 for citizens of the United States who are not bona-fide residents of California and for persons not citizens of the United States.