The Yosemite Grant

Gates of the Valley, Yosemite National Park, California
Gates of the Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

June 30th marks the 158th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act. Authorized by Congress and signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864, it was the humble beginnings that established Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove as the first protected wilderness in the country. It also created California’s first State Park, and ultimately led to the creation of America’s National Park System.

In the years that followed, the tireless efforts of conservationist John Muir persuaded the government to protect the surrounding land as well and on October 1, 1890 Yosemite National Park was born. Never one to miss an opportunity to share the beauty and magic of his beloved home in the Sierra, Muir’s eloquent words convinced President Theodore Roosevelt and the state authorities to include Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park and in 1906 it was signed into law.

2022 is the 105th anniversary of the National Park Service, which now includes 423 individual parks covering more than 85 million acres in all 50 states.  The National Park Service website along with the Yosemite Conservancy have a wealth of information about the history and preservation of Yosemite.  But there’s nothing like sitting on the banks of the Merced River or gazing up at El Capitan to feel the full effect of America’s Best Idea.

 

©Russ Bishop/All Rights Reserved

Kings Canyon National Park

Evening light on the Palisades in Dusy Basin, Kings Canyon National Park, California
Evening light on the Palisades in Dusy Basin, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Dusy Basin in Kings Canyon National Park includes the largest concentration of 14,000 foot peaks in the Sierra Nevada range, and one of the southernmost glaciers in North America. As a major entry point for the John Muir Trail along the Sierra high route, this popular spot also makes a relatively easy weekend trip from the town of Bishop, passing through the John Muir Wilderness and over Bishop Pass.

Here the warm alpenglow on the The Palisade Group is reflected in one of the many alpine tarns scattered among this beautiful hanging valley. These pristine lakes are fed only by surrounding snow melt, and their glassy waters are the perfect complement for photographing magic hour in what John Muir so eloquently called the Range of Light.

 

©Russ Bishop/All Rights Reserved