Earth Trivia : Yosemite National Park from America’s Great Outdoors Tumblr updates

America’s Great Outdoors Tumblr updates

Cotton candy skies over Yosemite Falls. This pic of Yosemite National Park was taken in the spring when the waterfall was at its peak. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Nguyen.

Cotton candy skies over Yosemite Falls. This pic of Yosemite National Park was taken in the spring when the waterfall was at its peak. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Nguyen.

Many Yosemite National Park visitors have heard of (as well as witnessed) the famous Firefall, a cherished tradition in which a bonfire was pushed over the edge of Glacier Point, creating a fiery spectacle. But did you know there was another Firefall? In the 1920s, there were a few evenings when the Firefall was relocated to a different Yosemite landmark: Half Dome. Using pack mules, Curry Co. staff would haul gallons of used motor oil up to the summit, ignite the face of Half Dome, and “Let the fire fall!”Photo courtesy of the Yosemite Research Library.

It’s hard to beat mornings at Yosemite National Park in California. Sunrise photo of Half Dome courtesy of Jonathan Basiago.

At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the U.S. This iconic waterfall can be seen from many places around the park’s Yosemite Valley, but nothing compares to seeing the waterfall up close. Michael Bonocore took this breathtaking photo of his friend Tessa Kit from the base of Yosemite Falls at the end of May. Photo courtesy of Michael Bonocore.

Happy 151st birthday to Yosemite National Park! On this day in 1864, Yosemite was first protected with the Yosemite Grant Act of 1864, which set aside 39,000 acres of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California. This historic legislation was the beginning of not only the California State Park System, but the national park idea we know today. Pictured here is the park’s iconic Half Dome from Glacier Point at sunset. Photo by Brandon Nimon (www.sharetheexperience.org).

$Rainbows are a fan favorite in Yosemite National Park, commonly seen along the park’s flowing waterfalls on sunny days. Halos and coronas around the sun or moon are also a typical sight. Recently, a lucky visitor was able to spot and capture this rare occurrence –cloud iridescence – over Glacier Point. This optical phenomenon is caused when sunlight diffracts off tiny ice crystals or water droplets and creates a rainbow effect. Iridescent clouds typically occur in late afternoons in hot and humid weather, so keep your eye out!$

Some places take your breath away. Yosemite Valley is one of them. This photo of Yosemite National Park was taken just after a hail storm, and if you look closely, you can see a rainbow stretching across the park’s valley. Photo by Ece Batchelder (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Some places take your breath away. Yosemite Valley is one of them. This photo of Yosemite National Park was taken just after a hail storm, and if you look closely, you can see a rainbow stretching across the park’s valley. Photo by Ece Batchelder (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Sometime it’s all about being at the right place at the right time. Case in point: This amazing photo of what appears to be Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome on fire. While photographing sunrise at the park, Austin Jenanyan noticed a cloud forming around Half Dome. It eventually morphed into the shape of a flame and was illuminated by the early morning light. It only lasted a few short moments, but Austin describes it as a surreal and magical experience. Photo courtesy of Austin Jenanyan. 🔥

This dramatic shot of Yosemite Falls was taken last month as the early morning fog began to burn off the valley floor. Yosemite Falls, one of the world’s tallest waterfalls, is actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall, the middle cascades and Lower Yosemite Fall. The best time to see Yosemite Falls is November through July with peak flow typically in May. Follow along all day today as Yosemite National Park takes over Interior’s Instagram account, sharing stunning photos from the park: http://instagram.com/usinterior.Photo by Kari Cobb, National Park Service.

Spring at Yosemite National Park in California is breathtakingly beautiful. iPhone photo of El Capitan from earlier this week courtesy of Steven Bumgardner.

Last week marked what would have been the 177th birthday of the father of national parks! On April 21, 1838, America’s most famous naturalist and conservationist – ‪‎John Muir‬ – was born. Muir fought to protect America’s wild places, and his writings convinced the government to conserve special sites like Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in California. Photo Sequoia National Park along the iconic John Muir Trail by Jeff Sambur (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Happy ‪Earth Day‬! We celebrate our earth every day by conserving America’s public lands like Yosemite (pictured here). Our national parks not only create healthier communities, they also support local economies. Every dollar invested in national parks returns $10 to the U.S. economy. We need to continue to invest in our national parks and other public lands for future generations. http://on.doi.gov/1EbKRRkPhoto of Upper Cathedral Lake at Yosemite National Park in California by Cliff LaPlant (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Happy 166th birthday to us! On this day in 1849, the Interior Department was established to take charge of the nation’s internal affairs. Today, Interior is responsible for conserving America’s natural resources and public lands, like Yosemite National Park (California) pictured here. Photo of the Yosemite Valley on a spring day by Lesli Cohan (www.sharetheexperience.org).

A gorgeous pic of Upper Cathedral Lake at Yosemite National Park in California. Cliff LaPlant captured this dramatic scene after late afternoon storm began to clear Yosemite. Photo from www.sharetheexperience.org.

Big news: The rare Sierra Nevada red fox was recently spotted in Yosemite National Park in California. The confirmed sighting, which was captured with a remote motion-sensitive camera, is the first time this species of fox has been seen in Yosemite National Park in nearly 100 years. The Sierra Nevada red fox of California is one of the rarest mammals in North America, likely consisting of fewer than 50 individuals. National Park Service photo.

A dusting of snow turns Yosemite National Park in California into a winter wonderland. Ed Cooper captured this winter view of the southwest face of El Capitan – the largest monolith of granite in the world. Rising more than 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley’s floor, El Capitan is a favorite for experienced rock climbers.
Photo courtesy of Ed Cooper.

Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park provides one of the most famous views of the Yosemite Valley. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from the valley, with Half Dome in the background. Toby Harriman snapped this photo from that viewpoint a few weeks ago on as the low fog rolled into the valley – capturing conditions he had always dreamed of. His favorite part of the photo: The climber’s headlamp that is visible mid way up El Capitan on the left.

America’s public lands, like Yosemite National Park in California (pictured here), are some of the best places for stargazing. Joseph Taylor captured this stunner of the endless Milky Way galaxy floating above the granite monoliths – Washington Column and Half Dome – in Yosemite’s Stoneman Meadow. “To be a part of a beautiful moment on Earth like this one is always breathtaking, but to capture it with my camera was incredible,”says Joseph.

A gorgeous shot of the Milky Way and sunrise over Yosemite National Park in California. David Shield created this image from 11 separate shots. He photographed the night sky at 11 pm and captured the sunrise at 6 am the following morning.

Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, Half Dome is a Yosemite National Park icon.

A shot of the Jeffrey Pine at the top of Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park (made famous by Ansel Adams) set against a backdrop of stars! This is a single exposure by Jesse Summers (www.sharetheexperience.org).

The iconic Bridalveil falls in Yosemite National Park after a snowstorm in early spring 2012.Photo: Sankar Salvady (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Yosemite National Parks El Capitan is a favorite for experienced rock climbers. Rising more than 3,000 feet above the Valley floor, it is the largest monolith of granite in the world. El Capitan is opposite Bridalveil Fall and is best seen from the roads in western Yosemite Valley, including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall area, and El Capitan Meadow.Photo: National Park Service

Snow + a rainbow + Yosemite National Park = this amazing photo. Photo: Leasha Hooker (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Sometimes the calm after the storm is the most beautiful. Photo of Yosemite National Park by Douglas Croft (www.sharetheexperience.org).

In honor of Veterans Day, access to all federal public lands is free this weekend. Please share this post to help spread the word!Photo of sunset along the Tioga Road earlier this week in Yosemite National Park.

Autumn in Yosemite National Park. Photo: National Park Service

Yosemite Valley is spectacular any time of year and fall is no exception. Photo: Douglas Croft (www.sharetheexperience.org)

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the largest of three sequoia groves within Yosemite National Park, contains approximately 500 mature giant sequoias. The significance of this grove was recognized by Abraham Lincoln when he signed the Yosemite Grant on June 30, 1864, a landmark bill that set aside and protected Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove. The giant sequoias are among the largest and oldest living things on earth.Photo: National Park Service

Horsetail Fall flows over the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. It’s a small waterfall that many people don’t notice, but it has gained popularity as more and more people have noticed it can glow orange during sunset in mid to late February.The most popular place to see Horsetail Fall seemingly afire is El Capitan picnic area, west of Yosemite Lodge and east of El Capitan (see map below). The “firefall” effect generally happens during the second half of February. A clear sky is necessary for the waterfall to glow orange.Photo: Bethany Gediman, NPS

Yosemite Falls is flowing again! Thanks to recent rain and snow, it should continue flowing at least until mid to late summer next year. To learn more about Yosemite Falls, click here.Photo: National Park Service

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Earth Trivia : Yosemite National Park from America’s Great Outdoors Tumblr updates