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 urban dwellers throughout the state depend on the Sierra Nevada snowpack for their domestic water needs.

Yosemite Nature Notes

Water

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 the home to unique plant communities that are found nowhere else.

Sky Islands

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 setting sun striking the waterfall creates a deep orange glow that resembles Yosemite's historic, "Firefall."

Horsetail Fall

Yosemite National Park: While Yosemite National Park is known for its towering cliffs and giant waterfalls, the National Park Service also protects significant cultural resources. The Rangers' Club is one of five buildings in Yosemite with National Historic Landmark status.

Rangers' Club

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 understand this force of nature in order to protect the millions of visitors who come here each year.

Rock Fall

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 that occur in the waterfalls of Yosemite Valley during March and April.

Frazil Ice

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. Scientists and rangers describe the power this river has on the landscape and on the people who visit it.

Tuolumne River

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 park’s protection.

Maps

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 interesting perspectives on how spending time outdoors, particularly at Yosemite, positively affects people.

Wilderness

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 dryness, this magnificent waterfall is a dynamic force of nature.

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite National Park: From foothill elevations to high mountain peaks, hundreds of flower species are found throughout Yosemite National Park. Rangers and scientists discuss the rich botanical history and some of the rare plants found here.

Wildflowers

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 summit each year, rewarded with spectacular views and an experience that is not easily forgotten.

Half Dome

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 transformed by snow.

Snow

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 the snow line in Yosemite.

Snow Line

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 are home to some of the largest trees in the world.

Big Trees

This collection features a multitude of enthralling videos which display the beauty of Yosemite National Park while explaining numerous natural features such as waterfalls, trees, rainbows, stars, mountains, and more.

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Yosemite Nature Notes

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