Yosemite National Park Research Paper

Yosemite is a beautiful National Park, with amazing rock formations, mountains, plants, animals, and entertainment. Yosemite National Park is a part of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, extending to almost 80.5-128.7 kilometers long. From the highest peak in Yosemite, Mount Whitney, the altitude, from near sea level, is more than 13,000 feet. There are many different types of granite rock that make up the Yosemite Valley. This granite was formed by hundreds of smaller forms of granite rock that have been solidified by of molten rock and constantly broken down from its overlying rocks for more than 100 million years. Differences in granite rock come from the response to weathering and erosion and in appearance. Only five percent of the Yosemite park is made up of metamorphic rock, which grew over the granite rock many years ago, and later eroded away. After the granite rock was fully revealed, almost 25 million years ago, the enormous mountain range cracked along its eastern fault, leaning and lifting the western end. As the tilting augmented over time, it created rivers and canyons that cut deeper into the mountain. After being covered by volcanic lava flows and

mudflows, almost 10 million years ago, these streams eroded downward toward the Central Valley and established rivers known today in Yosemite. There were many landforms that existed before glaciers dominated the Yosemite Valley, about 2 to 3 million years ago, and as a result of the melting of glaciers, many new landmarks such as natural lakes were created.
There are many different mountains, cliffs, and rock formations that emerged in the Yosemite Valley.

These formations surfaced from by the cooling of plutonic rock far below the earth’s surface. This solidification of huge granite with magma, happened repeatedly through the Cretaceous period. Granite was pushed up through erosion, forming the mountains that are known today in Yosemite. The youngest mountain in Yosemite is Half Dome, reaching more than 2,695 meters, and it is made up of Plutonic granite. Half Dome looks like a round dome that doesn't have its northwest half. Half Dome passes many beautiful waterfalls, including Vernal and Nevada Falls. Following the amazing falls, it passes Little Yosemite Valley where many hikers stop overnight, and then continue toward the northwest ridge of Half

Dome.
Another amazing Mountain that many rock climbers enjoy is El Capitan, a Spanish word meaning “the captain” or “the chief”. This challenging mountain is about 2,308 meters at highest elevation. Many hikes reach the crest through the Yosemite Falls, while others rock climber climb the downright, granite face. There are many other climbing routes such as the
Iron Hawk route and the Sea of Dreams route.
While exploring Yosemite Valley, hikers may come across many different plants and animals. There are many different zones that gives explorers a view of different flora in the park. These five zones are: Foothill-Woodland Zone, Lower Montane Forest, Upper Montane Forest, Subalpine Forest, and Alpine zones.
In the Foothill-Woodland, the lowest elevations of Yosemite (about 549 meters), is on the western side of the park and is the driest. There is very little to no snow in the winters and very long, dry summers, allowing plants such as the shames, ceanothus, manzanita, and blue oak able to survive here.
In the Lower Mantle, with an elevation of about 900 meters, it is a perfect place for trees such as the California black oak, ponderosa pine, incense ceda, white fir, Mariposa sequoia grove, and Merced sequoia groves. These beautiful trees are found along the western borders of the park taking up about 87,200 hectares. This specific vegetation zone has very heated, arid summers, like the Foothill-Woodland zone. Their winters are crisp and damp. Throughout winter, snow gathers on the ground and will stay for many months.
With 87,000 hectares of land and at an elevation of about 1,800 meters, the Upper Montane Forest is home the red fir, lodgepole pine, and the jeffery pine, whose bark smells like vanilla. The summer here is very short and cool, with wet winters. Beginning in winter and ending in June, snow falls reach almost 1.8 meters in depth. In the warmer months of June through August, stunning wildflowers flourish.
Because of the long, drawn-out winters, with snow that accumulates to almost 2.7 meters, the Subalpine Forest has a shorter time for plants to thrive. At about 2,450 meters of elevation, the western white pine, mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, and flowery meadows are typical to the Subalpine Forest. The Subalpine Forest is about 120,000 hectares from its border.
Finally, we learn about the Alpine Zone. This zone is above the tree line, and due to ruthless climates, no trees grow here. Many boulder fields and granite outcroppings place restraint on the vegetation, as well as the cruel conditions. During the short summers, herbaceous plants quickly bloom, covering parts of the 22,000 hectares that this zone covers.
Not only are there many plants that thrive around Yosemite, but three different animals, including the black bear, mountain lion, and great grey owl, who find their homes in this beautiful national park. The black bear is native to North America, living in very forested area, such as Yosemite! This bear can be black, brown, blond, or reddish brown, and females weighting between 68.0 kilos to 90.0 kilos. These large mammals feed on fruits during the summer, grasses, and acorns during the fall (but they mostly eat eighth grades!) They hibernate for 3 to 8 months beginning in October or November. Another common mammal that lives throughout this outrageously grassy and colorful valley, is the mountain lion.
Mountain lions are also very amazing animals that live in Yosemite. These animals weigh between 29.0 and 40.0 kilos, and are from 2.0 to 2.5 meters in length. They are a delightful light brown color, with black on the tips of their ears and tails. Mountain lions feed on raccoons and coyotes, and will kill their prey in one bite, then return to its carcass various times. One of the neighbors of a Mountain lion is a great grey owl, who sees everything from up above!
The great grey owl is an endangered species to California, so visitors are very lucky to spot one! 65% of the 200 to 300 great grey owls in California live in Yosemite. These owls have a black body and round head, with a white bowtie under their face. The great grey owl is the largest owl in North America, standing about 61.0 cm, and a wingspan of 150.0 cm! They nest in forests and meadows, and since they are nocturnal, they hunt for small rodents at night.
Those three breathtaking animals are even cooler to see while doing fun activities! Explorers who visit Yosemite like to take part in different activities such as rafting. Rafting is a very fun and cooling sport down the mile long Merced River, when it is hot. It is a great way to see different sights other than on foot. Renting a raft is easy, and can fit usually up to four people!
As a result of learning about the formation of Yosemite Nation Park, its mountains, flora, animals, and activities, I am very excited for my school trip to Yosemite. My favorite thing of all the material I learned about was the different trees, especially the jeffery pine. I can not wait to see the amazing landscapes and different rock formations and take pictures to capture amazing memories