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Tioga & Glacier Point Roads Closed for the Winter
The Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park) and Glacier Point Road are closed due to snow. You can check on current road conditions and chain restrictions by calling 209/372-0200 (press 1 then 1). More »
Scenic Vistas in Yosemite
Managing Vistas Yosemite National Park was originally set aside for preservation due to its outstanding scenery. In 1851, Dr. Lafayette Bunnell, one of the first Europeans to gaze on Yosemite’s beauty, described the supreme grandeur of Yosemite Valley: "...the clouds...partially dimmed the higher cliffs and mountains. This obscurity of vision but increased the awe with which I beheld it, and as I looked, a peculiar exalted sensation seemed to fill my whole being." Millions of modern-day explorers have experienced this same view. Today, we call it Tunnel View. It’s just one of many iconic views and vistas for which Yosemite is famous. Purpose of the Plan The Scenic Vista Management Plan creates a program that will:
Is a Plan Needed? The creation of this plan is called for by the 1980 Yosemite General Management Plan and activities of this type are specifically allowed for by the National Park Service Organic Act. Past management practices have allowed vegetation growth to adversely impact the park’s iconic views and vistas, discrete lines of sight, and meadow systems. This has impacted both natural and cultural resources in Yosemite as well as compromising the visitor experience. The National Park Service wants to identify appropriate management actions to respond to these impacts. Protection of the Park’s historic viewsheds requires an understanding of the current status of these systems. A framework will be developed for evaluating and prioritizing research needs and management actions that may be necessary to ensure that park resources and values remain unimpaired. What Methods are Proposed?
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Did You Know?
Yosemite has a full-time sign language interpreter in the park every summer? The Yosemite Deaf Services Program began in 1979 and provides a variety of services to make sure the park is accessible for all of Yosemite's D/deaf and hard of hearing visitors.