International Police Officer's Association
United States Section
Attractions
Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things.
Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows (summer-fall), a large subalpine meadow surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley.
American
Indians
Indian people have lived in the Yosemite region for as long as 8,000 years. By
the mid-nineteenth century, when native residents had their first contact with
non-Indian people, they were primarily of Southern Miwok ancestry. However,
trade with the Mono Paiutes from the east side of the Sierra for pinyon pine
nuts, obsidian, and other materials from the Mono Basin resulted in many unions
between the two tribes.
But the park is open year round. There are four distinct seasons. Just as beautiful in the summer, it is also beautiful in the winter.
The winters are cold and full of snow.
The Merced River runs through the heart of the Yosemite Valley as it flows its way to the San Joaquin Valley to irrigate one of the most fertile valleys in the world.
The Ahwahnee is a National Historical Landmark and one of the most distinctive resort hotels in North America. It’s well known for its great granite façade, striking beamed ceilings, massive stone hearths, richly colored Native American appointments, and finely appointed rooms. Constructed amid numerous design changes, construction delays, and contract disputes, the hotel was finally opened on July 14, 1927,
The dining room features a 34-foot high ceiling with large sugar pine trestles that complement the room's granite pillars.
Both the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls drop 2,425 feet to the valley floor! The Upper Fall plunges 1,430 feet, and connects with a 320-foot Lower Fall by a 675-foot cascade. Pictured on the left is the Upper Falls.
SKI RESORTS
Since opening in 1935, the Badger Pass Ski Area has been a favorite vacation spot for generations of skiers. Today, California's original ski resort, set in the spectacular Sierra Nevada, is still an ideal place to learn to ski. Fewer crowds, family-friendly activities and a dedicated and skilled staff combine to make your ski adventure fun, friendly and fulfilling. Badger Pass features five convenient lifts and spacious groomed runs, while cross-country ski-enthusiasts enjoy 90 miles of marked trails to some of the most beautiful vistas in the High Sierra.
Sierra Summit has long been know for a great mid-sized mountain with a BIG mountain feel. Steep gentle and everything in between. There’s truly something for everyone and plenty of it. Whether you’re a first time beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll find Sierra Summit a mountain of fun. The entire mountain is open to both skiers and snowboarders.
Lakes and Streams
Bass Lake
Bass Lake has star quality. A classically pretty mountain lake, ringed by tall sugar and ponderosa pines, it served as Technicolor backdrop to the beautiful-if-evil Gene Tierny in the '40s classic, Leave Her to Heaven. In the '80s, less glamorously, it costarred with John Candy in The Great Outdoors.
Huntington Lake
Tucked way up in a western Sierra canyon just outside of Fresno & often missed by the Yosemite crowds. No matter if you visit here for the winter fun: skiing , snow mobiling or snowboarding or for the summertime activities: boating, fishing, camping.. this destination is sure to amaze you.
White Water Rafting
As close as one and half hours from Fresno, CA, one can find both Class III and Class IV white water river rafting. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer a source of water feeding the Kings River and Kaweah River while Yosemite National Park feeds the Merced River.
Kings River
A Class III river that can provide fun for the whole family.
Merced River
Depending on the time of the year, This river can offer challenges to both novice and intermediate rafters.
Kaweah River
One of the more difficult rivers in California. Rafting companies like to take only experienced rafters due to such areas as Suicide Falls and The Flood.
The river is narrow in
some places making rafting more challenging and the water very swift.
