E-Concussion

Yosemite
Come see nature at its best

American President Theodore Roosevelt called Yosemite National Park the most beautiful place on Earth. “Many others who have seen the park would agree with him. Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite covers 1200 square miles (1920 square km) of wilderness.
In Yosemite, huge rock domes rise from the earth. Spectacular waterfalls plunge from cliffs. Green forests cover the hills and valleys. All this natural beauty creates a paradise that 4.1 million people enjoy each year. Most come in summer to escape crowded California cities, although the park welcomes visitors year round.
Visitors began traveling to the park in 1855. Back then, it was a bumpy, two-day trip by stagecoach from the nearest railroad station. But that didn’t stop people from coming to admire, photograph and paint Yosemite’s natural wonders. In 1868, famous naturalist John Muir visited Yosemite. He fell in love with the area and encouraged the U.S. government to make it a national park. To his great joy, he succeeded in 1890.
The first car arrived in Yosemite in 1900. By 1920, two-thirds of the park’s visitors were coming by automobile.

Down in the Valley
Yosemite Valley is the heart of the park. As you drive into it, look up, up, up. Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, plunges 2425 feet (739 meters) from the valley rim.
Get out of your car and go for a hike. The Mist Trail leads to a bridge with a spectacular view of Vernal Falls. The mist from the falls will spray you as you hike. On full-moon nights in spring, take the walk to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall. Watch for “moon bows” in the water.
After taking a hike, continue to explore the valley. Rent a bike and go cycling on eight miles of paved bike trails or go for a horseback ride. Fish in the Merced River. But don’t forget to buy a California fishing license first.


Trails, Rocks and Giant Trees
About 80 percent of Yosemite visitors stay in Yosemite Valley. But there’s much more to see than just the valley. More than 800 miles of hiking trails crisscross the backcountry. Experienced hikers can disappear into the wilderness for days. But they should get a good map before they go!
Yosemite’s huge rocks make the park a paradise for rock climbers. You’ll see climbers clinging to rock faces high above the ground. But don’t try this without some training. You can take climbing lessons from Yosemite Mountaineering School.
Near the south entrance of the park, you’ll find the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Some of these trees stand almost 300 feet (88 meters) tall. Hike into the grove and find The Grizzly Giant. It’s estimated to be 2700 years old. Beyond it stands the California Tunnel Tree. The hole was cut into it in 1895. Go ahead and walk through the tree.
You could spend a day, a week or even a month in Yosemite. There’s so much to see in “the most beautiful place on Earth”.


Vocabularies
1. plunge (v.): to move, fall, or be thrown suddenly forwards or downwards
The man plunged into the water to save his friend who couldn’t swim.
2. year round (adv.): happening or continuing through the whole year
3. bumpy (adj.): a bumpy surface is flat but has a lot of raised parts so it is difficult to walk or drive on it = uneven; ≠ smooth
After riding in the bus over bumpy roads for two hours, Edward felt sick.
4. stagecouch (n.): a vehicle pulled by horses the was used in past times for carrying passengers and letters
5. bow (n.): a weapon used for shooting arrows, made of a long thin piece of wood held in a curve by a tight string
6. crisscross (v.): to travel many times from one side of an area to another
The children crisscrossed their neighborhood, looking for their lost puppy.
7. backcountry (n.): an area, especially in the mountains, away from roads and towns.
8. cling (v.): to hold someone or something tightly, especially because you do not feel safe
Shy children often cling to their parents.
9. grove (n.): a piece of land with trees growing on it
There once was a forest here. But now there’s only a small grove of trees left.
10. sequoia (n.) [ ]: a tree from the western US that can grow to be very tall = redwood
Sequoias are among the tallest trees in the world.