Success Stories in Yosemite

The Campaign for Yosemite Trails

Miles of trails repaired, both visitors and habitat benefit.

Through this campaign some of the most important trails in Yosemite were improved, reversing years of degradation through natural disasters and heavy use.

Mount Hoffman

For example, today visitors can follow one safe and restored trail all the way up to the peak of Mount Hoffmann. Prior to this, hikers negotiated dangerous slippery slopes and created dozens of crisscrossing paths, trampling pristine meadows and increasing erosion.

Now the clearly marked trail from May Lake to Mount Hoffmann is safe, surrounding habitat has been replanted and natural barriers encourage hikers to stay on the trail.

John Muir Trail

The historic John Muir Trail, which begins at Happy Isles in Yosemite and ends 210 miles later on the summit of Mount Whitney, is one of the most popular backpacking trails in the Sierra region and California.

The 33 miles of John Muir Trail in Yosemite is now a showcase for the best in trail restoration—‘wonders in granite’, with dry-laid stone walls, rock staircases, drainage structures and habitat restoration that blend this trail seamlessly into the natural landscape.

Day Hikes in Yosemite
Day Hikes

Restoring Scenic Viewing Areas 1997-2009

Spectacular viewing areas are less crowded and safer.

Today visitors stopping at Olmsted Point, Tunnel View, Glacier Point or Half Dome View are experiencing some of the most beautiful, environmentally sensitive and visitor friendly scenic viewing areas in the world.

Glacier Point 1997

An early and ambitious Conservancy venture was the Glacier Point rehabilitation project. This point offers one of the most spectacular vistas in Yosemite - looking into the Valley and showcasing the grandeur of Half Dome.

Major Upgrades

The work included major upgrades to public facilities, including a new amphitheater, wheelchair accessible trails, new restrooms; new interpretive exhibit located in the historic Geology Hut and a concession building which also provides basic winter accommodation for cross country skiers.

There was also extensive habitat rehabilitation that included re-seeding of surrounding areas. With visitors now using clearly marked paths these seedlings have grown into beautiful groundcover.

The amphitheater now plays host to many educational programs, one of which explores our night sky.

Olmsted Point 2006

Olmsted Point on Tioga Road at 8,400’ provides visitors with picture postcard views of Tenaya Lake, Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome. As with other viewing area projects that followed, Olmstead Point now showcases:

• Reconstructed retaining wall, providing multiple viewpoints and granite seatwalls

• Lower stone ledges between seatwalls to allow unimpeded views

• Restoration of adjacent stone trail that descends to a majestic overlook

• Filtration system for the parking lot water runoff

• Addition of accessible parking spaces

• New interpretive panels to educate on Olmsted Point’s geological and historical significance; to identify its vistas and to provide trail information

Half Dome View 2009

Half Dome View is the first pull-off opportunity that visitors driving eastward on Big Oak Flat Road, Hwy. 120, have to view Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.

Visitors are routinely awestruck by this iconic view of Half Dome enclosed by magnificent El Capitan to the left and Glacier Point cliff with Sentinel Rock and Dome to the right. This site attracts thousands of people who visit briefly on their way to the Valley each year.

Setting World-Class Standards

Like other popular viewing areas in Yosemite, Half Dome View is now an example of the best in visitor services and environmental protection. The newly restored viewing areas keep visitors off sensitive habitat, traffic circulation is improved through revised parking and new exhibits share the wonders of the park with visitors.

Gone are traffic gridlocks, unwanted paths as people sought a better view and uneven surfaces that prevented disabled access to the view point.

Tunnel View 2008

No other view in the park more clearly represents the essence of Yosemite than this one, it is one of the most recognized and photographed scenes in any national park in the country. Every year millions of visitors stop here to take in the grandeur of El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Yosemite Valley as they unfold below the outlook at Wawona Tunnel on Highway 41.

Historic Character Maintained

This historic scenic viewing area was built in 1932 in the ‘rustic design style’ characteristic of park structures at the time. With no significant work done since 1932 Tunnel View was showing signs of disrepair.

Surrounding areas were being trampled as visitors crowded the existing platform and traffic conditions had become dangerous.

Today Tunnel View, like Half Dome View and Olmsted Point, represents the best in visitor experience and habitat protection.

The new design:

• Accommodates today’s visitor levels

• Is disabled accessible • Minimizes traffic congestion • Protects surrounding habitat

• Reflects the original architectural character, ensuring its historic value and significance

Also, a new trailhead was established for Inspiration Point and Valley Rim, replacing previous trails which were hard to find, poorly constructed and heavily eroded.

The Campaign for Yosemite Falls 2005

Falls restoration sets new world-class standard.

Yosemite Falls is the highest and most dramatic waterfall in North America, plunging 2,565 feet from the rim of Yosemite Valley.

Renowned Landscape Architect

Working with renowned Bay Area landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and National Park Service, Yosemite Conservancy embarked on an ambitious campaign to not only restore this area, but to set a new standard in landscape design and the visitor experience.

Before

Before the restoration of the approach to Lower Yosemite Falls this iconic landscape was marred by “a fume ridden parking lot, a ten minute walk down a miserable blacktop path to an ugly bridge,” the overcrowded, polluted parking lot was a distraction from the natural splendor and powerful sounds of the lower fall.

This situation had to change dramatically—and it did!

After

Today the approach to Lower Yosemite Falls represents a beautiful example of the balance between preserving nature and enhancing the visitor experience. Visitors enjoy the results of:

• Creation of handicapped accessible trail leading to viewing plaza and main bridge

• Removal of asphalt parking lot and re-vegetation of the area

• Habitat restoration throughout the 52 acres, including stream banks and elimination of abandoned trails

• Construction of new rest rooms and shuttle bus stop

• New picnic area

•Reconstruction of four bridges, removal of two

• Two new boardwalks over sensitive habitat

• Installation of educational exhibits, orientation maps and directional signage

Green Construction

Throughout construction there were extensive safeguards in place to protect the natural and cultural landscape. These included:

• Archeological assessors ensured no historical artifacts were eliminated by the project construction

• No stones from the park were quarried for the project

• Almost all stones were recycled from other areas, including the curb wall of Arch Rock Road

• Granite dust was vacuumed to protect air and water quality

• Bridges were ‘diapered’ to prevent oil-infused asphalt from entering the water

• Trees were wrapped for protection during construction and streambeds fenced

Day Hikes in Yosemite
Day Hikes

Expanded Junior Ranger Program 2008-2009

Over 27,000 children benefited from expanded program.

In partnership with the National Park Service, Yosemite Conservancy has ensured even more children have the chance to experience the Junior Ranger program.

Engaging Children in Nature

Created to engage children in nature and the environment during their visit to Yosemite, the Happy Isles Junior Ranger Center is now open 9 months a year, 7 days per week.

Over 27,000 Visitors

Over 27,000 children benefited from the program in 2009, up from 15,000 in 2008 – and 6,000 in 2007. The large increase reflects the ability to offer ranger led Junior Ranger programs.

Junior Ranger Center Establishes Future Park Stewards

Prior to the 2008/2009 season, the center was open limited hours and during summer months only. Support from the Conservancy ensures staff and volunteers are available to accommodate the many school field trips that arrive in Yosemite Valley in the spring and fall, as well as the high number of family groups in the summer months.

Upgraded Facilities

Yosemite Conservancy also provided facility upgrades and a new Junior Ranger exhibit in the Nature Center at Happy Isles; this includes a learning ‘nook’ which offers dedicated space and equipment to introduce kids to environmental stewardship.

Become a Junior Ranger
Yosemite Junior Ranger

Protecting the Great Gray Owl

One of California's rarest and largest birds protected.

The great gray owl has a special place in Yosemite. The park is the last stronghold for this rare and spectacular bird, containing over two-thirds of the known remaining California population.

Rare Species

The great gray owl is among California’s rarest bird and the largest of North America’s owls.

Research Explores Conservation Needs

It is threatened from human activity from both inside and outside the park. Yosemite Conservancy funds research that has addressed immediate conservation needs.

Sharing Information

Teams from different agencies and universities have shared this vital information to ensure the great gray owl’s home and future are protected.

• Recent surveys have pioneered the use and development of completely non-invasive monitoring of great gray owls in Yosemite. This ground-breaking approach now allows scientists to collect a wide range of samples without unsettling the owls. Researchers use passive automated recording units (ARUs), passive meadow searches for pellets and feathers, and genetic techniques to collect information on owl occupancy and demographics.

• These detailed survey results are now being used to assist in park activities, such as prescribed firing planning, to avoid impacting the owls.

• Results from this work are also shared with a broad group of organizations, all of which have important roles in protecting the great gray owl. These include the Wildlife Society, National Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Game, University of California, Davis, Audubon Society and Golden Gate Raptor Observatory.

Reintroducing the Peregrine Falcon - ongoing

Peregrine falcons are back in Yosemite and nesting on El Capitan.

The powerful and fast peregrine falcon has one of the longest migrations of any North American bird, wintering in South America and travelling up to 15,500 miles a year.

Rapid Decline

Falcon populations dropped radically from the 1950s through the 1970s, largely due to DDT poisoning.

No Longer Endangered

Yosemite Conservancy funded work throughout the 1980s and 1990s to reintroduce this endangered species back into the park. This work contributed to the falcon’s success and subsequent removal from the Endangered Species List in 1999.

Nesting on El Capitan

Today the Conservancy continues to support research into their long-term health and survival. The great news is that a recent 2009 survey shows the peregrine falcon population size in Yosemite has doubled since an earlier 1995 survey. The most exciting development from this recent survey was the confirmation of nesting peregrine falcons on El Capitan after a 16-year absence. What's more, the birds are using the exact same ledge where climbers discovered peregrines nesting in 1978 - after an absence of more than 3 decades!

Sharing Information

Knowing the location of current nest sites is essential for implementing protection measures, such as minimizing disturbance from climbers and other recreational activities and from park flight operations. New information from the 2009 study on the peregrine’s status will also be shared with state and federal agencies and contribute to recovery programs nationwide.

Providing for Yosemite's Future
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