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1:24,000 Scale USGS quadrangle maps of Yosemite National Park in California, sent to you on CD-ROM. $18.95 Locator Map of Yosemite National Park, California
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Yosemite National Park clinches an impressive range of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park is a place with a large collection of forests, waterfalls, and beautiful meadows. The lush forests take in groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things.
Yosemite National Park is located in the central Sierra Nevada of California and lies 145 miles east of San Francisco and only a six hour drive from Los Angeles. 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. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. Two federally designated wild and scenic rivers, the Merced and Tuolumne, begin within Yosemite’s borders and flow west into California's Central Valley. Annual park visitation exceeds 3.5 million, with most visitor use concentrated in the seven square mile area of Yosemite Valley.
The geology of Yosemite is characterized by granite rocks and remnants of older rock. About 10 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and then tilted to form its relatively gentle western slopes and the more dramatic eastern slopes. The uplift increased the steepness of stream and river beds, resulting in formation of deep, narrow canyons. About 1 million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers at the higher alpine meadows that moved down the river valleys. Ice thickness in Yosemite Valley may have reached 4,000 feet during the early glacial episode. The down slope movement of the ice masses cut and sculpted the U-shaped valley that attracts so many visitors to its scenic vistas today.
Yosemite has more than 300 species of vertebrate animals, and 85 of these are native mammals. Black bears are abundant in the park, and are often involved in conflicts with humans that result in property damage and, occasionally, injuries to humans. Visitor education and bear management efforts have reduced the bear-human incidents and property damage by 90% in the past few years. Over 150 species of birds repeatedly occur in the parks. Great gray owls are of extraordinary interest in Yosemite because here they reach the extreme southern extent of their global range, and they are remote by hundreds of miles from the next closest population in far northern California. Is there a "best" time of year to visit Yosemite? Weather varies year by year, sometimes significantly, and that affects the waterfalls, wildflowers, and road closures. According to the National Park Service, All areas of the park are usually accessible by car by late May or early June, although services along the Tioga Road often open a bit later in June. Warm to hot, with occasional rain (usually as afternoon thundershowers, especially at the higher elevations). For example, averages for Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): are 87°F (31°C) / 51°F (10°C). Most of the water flowing in Yosemite comes from snowmelt in the high country, so runoff decreases during the dry summer. Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August. Other waterfalls, including Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil, run all year, however their flow can be very low by late summer. The spring (April & May) is the perfect season for waterfalls! As warmer weather begins to melt the snow, even the smallest creeks are rushing with water. You may see many small, unnamed waterfalls and cascades all along the Valley rim. Larger creeks and rivers, along with the better known waterfalls, tend to reach peak runoff in May or June. Yosemite Valley & Wawona- Most blooming occurs in June, with redbud, Sierra onion, lupine, Mariposa lily, pentstemon, and flowering dogwood beginning in May. Tuolumne Meadows- The season begins in late summer for subalpine flowers. Beginning around July, look for little elephant's heads, gentian, pentstemon, yarrow, and shooting stars. All areas of the park usually remain open through October, and sometimes into November. However short-term closures may occur due to snow. Along the Tioga Road, services often are not available after September and overnight parking is not permitted after October 14th. Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, however tire chains may be required, depending on conditions.
In the Winter, While Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, the Tioga Road is closed (usually sometime in November). Once closed for the season, vehicles are not permitted between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass, including in the Tuolumne Meadows area. The road to Glacier Point is also closed (usually sometime in November). However from mid-December though early April, the Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road is plowed to the Badger Pass Ski Area where both downhill and cross-country skiing is popular. Tire chains are often required on park roads. When they are, you must carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving. Winter in Yosemite is snowy and cold, though sunny and chilly days are not uncommon. Water levels tend to be low, but once some snow and rain have fallen, Yosemite Falls begins flowing again (though not at springtime levels). While Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads remain closed due to snow, often until late May. Tire chains sometimes are required even during spring. When they are, you should carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving. The climate is Highly variable, with sunny and relatively warm days, but still an occasional winter storm.
Yosemite is home to nearly 2,000 varieties of plants and animals, including giant sequoias. Yosemite's geology is world renowned for its tall waterfalls and granitic rocks. American Indians also have called Yosemite home for perhaps 8,000 years, and along with early pioneers and guardians, have left behind a rich history. If you are planning a trip to Yosemite to hike or camp, you may want to pre-plan your trip using detailed topographic maps. We can provide you a seamless topographic map of Yosemite. The data set depicts a digital scan of the actual detailed United States Geological Survey (USGS) paper maps. The geographic area portrayed on an actual physical paper product produced by the USGS - the 24,000 scale series of maps. These USGS maps are often used as reference maps for field or office work and define a specific piece of geography. The map show contours, communities, vegetation, lakes, rivers, trails, roads and other spatial features. How were these maps made? Place OrderThe cost is $18.95.
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Note: If you wish, download the free computer program for viewing the maps. A Hyperlink is provided on the CD-ROM to facilitate the download of the free viewer . Options exist for both Windows and Apple / Macintosh systems. For Windows 95, 98, NT 4, 2000, XP, XP Pro
For Macintosh OS 9.x (latest version available)Other Macintosh OS X Plug-ins
"Thanks for the map guys, it is great. I printed some maps on waterproof paper and they are perfect." Ted S.- Bozeman, MT "Downloading the free viewer was easy. Its a great application to view the maps you sent. We hiked in the Crazy Mountains and the maps let us plan our trip! thank you. Julie B. - Madison Wisconsin "The price is right and so are the maps... less than what I paid for some lingerie for my wife. The maps are actually more sexy." Cal T. St Cloud Minnesota. "Thanks for sending the CD-ROM so fast - The quad maps are wonderful. Its nice to see the entire area without any map seams. Its good to know there are trusting folks like you. Thanks!" Cally S. Chicago, IL "You guys are quick. Thanks for the fast turn-around. Its nice to view this area as a seamless map as opposed to looking at a bunch of paper Topographic maps on the table. Thank you mucho!" Kim T. Boston, MA
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