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Virtual Yosemite Association  - non-profit support group

Yosemite National Park

Glaciers transformed rolling hills and streams  into the incredible valley that is now Yosemite Valley.  However, the valley is only seven square  miles of the total 1190 square miles that make up the park. Two of the ten highest waterfalls and the largest granite rock on earth are among the most recognized sites in Yosemite National Park.  The southern end of the Yosemite National Park has giant sequoias 20 stories above the ground in the Mariposa Grove. 

Yosemite  was made the nation's first state park in June 1864 and 26 years later became a national park.

The high country accessed from Tioga Road rises about 8,000 feet and is marked by meadows, forests and hidden lakes making up 95% of the park's land. 

Yosemite National Park offers over 800 miles of trails, camping, rock climbing, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, and swimming.

The park is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. The Tioga, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove roads are closed from October/November through May/June due to snow (the Mariposa Grove Road may be closed for a shorter period). All other parks roads generally remain open all year, though chains are frequently required.

Visitor information & Headquarters
209-372-0200

http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

How to Get There

Yosemite National Park has 4 major entrances:

1. Arch Rock Entrance on Highway 140 from San Francisco / San Jose via Merced.

• 6 miles to Yosemite Valley
• 55 miles to Tuolumne Meadows
• 35 miles to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
• 32 miles to Glacier Point
• 45 miles to Hetch Hetchy Valley

2. Big Oak Flat Entrance on Highway 120 West from San Francisco by passing through Manteca

• 20 miles to Yosemite Valley
• 49 miles to Tuolumne Meadows
• 49 miles to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
• 46 miles to Glacier Point
• 17 miles to Hetch Hetchy Valley

3. South Entrance on Highway 41 from Los Angeles via Fresno

• 26 miles to Yosemite Valley
• 81 miles to Tuolumne Meadows
• 2 miles to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
• 33 miles to Glacier Point
• 71 miles to Hetch Hetchy Valley

4. Tioga Pass Entrance – Highway 120 East from Los Angeles / Las Vegas via Lee Vining

• 59 miles to Yosemite Valley
• 8 miles to Tuolumne Meadows
• 88 miles to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
• 85 miles to Glacier Point
• 75 miles to Hetch Hetchy Valley

Airports:

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Oakland
• Fresno
• Las Vegas

When to Go

The average temperature in the summer is 90^oF high and 50^oF low in the valley. In the Fall, temperatures range from 60^oF to  70^oF  in the valley.  Winter temperatures range from 40^oF to  20^oF.  In Tuolumne the average temperatures are 70^oF high and 30^oF low.  Summer is the only time the Tioga Road is open.