Yosemite Nature Notes

Water

Yosemite National Park: Water is the life-blood of Yosemite National Park. The Tuolumne and Merced rivers water some of the most productive farmland on the Earth, and urb

Sky Islands

Yosemite National Park: Throughout the Sierra Nevada, high flat plateaus are found at elevations around twelve and thirteen thousand feet. These isolated sky islands are

Horsetail Fall

Yosemite National Park: Horsetail Fall is a small, ephemeral waterfall that flows over the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. For two weeks in February, the s

Rangers' Club

Yosemite National Park: While Yosemite National Park is known for its towering cliffs and giant waterfalls, the National Park Service also protects significant cultural r

Rock Fall

Yosemite National Park: Since the glaciers retreated around 15,000 years ago, rock fall has been the major force of change in Yosemite Valley. Geologists work to understa

Frazil Ice

Yosemite National Park: Summer visitors to Yosemite National Park miss many of the unique events of winter and early spring. Frazil ice flows are dramatic natural events

Tuolumne River

Yosemite National Park: Explore the Tuolumne River from its glacial headwaters at 13,000 feet down through Tuolumne Meadows and into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. Sci

Maps

Yosemite National Park: From a land grant created during the Civil War, to modern computer mapping, maps display the topography of Yosemite and also tell the story of the

Wilderness

Yosemite National Park: Have you ever experienced, “The Wild?” What exactly is wilderness and what benefit do wild environments have for mankind? This video offers intere

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, and is a powerful presence in Yosemite Valley. From winter ice to spring flood to autumn

Wildflowers

Yosemite National Park: From foothill elevations to high mountain peaks, hundreds of flower species are found throughout Yosemite National Park. Rangers and scientists di

Night Skies

Yosemite's vast acreage and remote location protect some of the darkest night skies in the country. Astronomers, photographers, and city dwellers flock to the park to tak

Winter Moments

Yosemite National Park: While most visitors come during the summer months, winter is a special time of year in Yosemite National Park. This video shows the beauty of the

Black Oaks

Yosemite National Park: Changing appearance throughout the seasons, the black oak is one of the iconic trees of Yosemite Valley, and its acorn is used for food by both an

Moonbows

Yosemite National Park: From the Milky Way to the moon, the beauty of Yosemite is on display 24 hours per day. During the full moon of the spring and early summer, lunar

Glaciers

Yosemite National Park: Yosemite National Park is famous for its spectacular glacially carved landscape. Although glaciers have come and gone many times in the past, ther

Big Trees

Yosemite National Park: Most of Yosemite National Park is covered with vast conifer forests, and with abundant precipitation and warm temperatures, the park's mountains a

Snow Line

Yosemite National Park: Throughout the winter, the elevation where rain turns to snow changes with each new storm. Join a meteorologist and park scientists as they chase

Snow

Yosemite National Park: Snow plays an important role in Yosemite's ecology while providing water for cities and farms. Winter visitors to the park experience a landscape

Half Dome

Yosemite National Park: The granite monolith of Half Dome is recognized throughout the world as an icon of Yosemite National Park. Thousands of visitors hike to the summi