National Parks of AmericaNational Parks of America

Here is the ExtraordinaryHere is the Extraordinary

Few nations can boast 58 National Few nations can boast 58 National Parks like the USA.Parks like the USA.

I have confined my tour to those I have confined my tour to those visited, plus one put on my wish list. visited, plus one put on my wish list. All located in California or adjacent All located in California or adjacent and encroaching.and encroaching.

Alaska & California have the most Alaska & California have the most with eight each.with eight each.

Yosemite National ParkYosemite National ParkLocated Southern California with Located Southern California with incredible scenery, flora and fauna incredible scenery, flora and fauna which lives in harmony with the which lives in harmony with the human visitors, provided well human visitors, provided well adopted rules are followed.adopted rules are followed.

The Ranger service, which is a The Ranger service, which is a national body exercise great care national body exercise great care and attention to ensure safety. and attention to ensure safety.

DimensionDimensionThis park is roughly the size of the This park is roughly the size of the U.S. State of Rhode Island and U.S. State of Rhode Island and contains thousands of lakes and contains thousands of lakes and ponds.ponds.95% is designated ‘Wilderness’.95% is designated ‘Wilderness’.Yosemite Valley covers 1% and this Yosemite Valley covers 1% and this is where most visitors arrive and is where most visitors arrive and stay.stay.They recorded 4 million in 2011They recorded 4 million in 2011

El Capitan MountainEl Capitan MountainYosemiteYosemite

Half Dome MountainHalf Dome MountainYosemiteYosemite

Tunnel View, YosemiteTunnel View, Yosemite

O’Shaughnessy DamO’Shaughnessy DamYosemiteYosemite

WaterfallsWaterfallsYosemite is famous for its high Yosemite is famous for its high concentration of waterfalls in a small concentration of waterfalls in a small area.area.

The ‘Yosemite Falls’ is the highest at The ‘Yosemite Falls’ is the highest at 2,425 feet whilst the ‘Ribbon Falls’ 2,425 feet whilst the ‘Ribbon Falls’ has the longest vertical drop at 1,612 has the longest vertical drop at 1,612 feetfeet

Yosemite FallsYosemite Falls

Bridal Veil Falls, YosemiteBridal Veil Falls, Yosemite

Mirror lake, YosemiteMirror lake, Yosemite

Wildlife AboundsWildlife Abounds

The following slides depicts a limited The following slides depicts a limited example of the species found.example of the species found.

Hunting is prohibited albeit their Hunting is prohibited albeit their sanctuary, safety and protection is sanctuary, safety and protection is afforded by the wilderness aspect afforded by the wilderness aspect together with the officers of the together with the officers of the ‘National Park Service’. ‘National Park Service’.

Bighorn EweBighorn EweYosemiteYosemite

Mule Deer, YosemiteMule Deer, Yosemite

Marmot, YosemiteMarmot, Yosemite

Yosemite in WinterYosemite in Winter

Southern California - WinterSouthern California - Winter

Grand CanyonGrand CanyonContinuing the tour our next visit Continuing the tour our next visit takes us to the Grand Canyon.takes us to the Grand Canyon.

Truly awe inspiring in its size and Truly awe inspiring in its size and scale.scale.

So diverse and obviously difficult to So diverse and obviously difficult to traverse on foot.traverse on foot.

But mind bogglingBut mind boggling

Considered one of the Seven Considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the WorldNatural Wonders of the World

For thousands of years, the area has For thousands of years, the area has been continuously inhabited by been continuously inhabited by Native Americans who built Native Americans who built settlements in its many caves.settlements in its many caves.

The Pueblo people considered the The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon a holy site and made Grand Canyon a holy site and made pilgrimages to itpilgrimages to it

South Rim, Grand South Rim, Grand CanyonCanyon

Eagle Rock, Grand CanyonEagle Rock, Grand CanyonTell me Why !Tell me Why !

Eagle Rock, GrandEagle Rock, GrandCanyonCanyon

Guano Point, ObservationGuano Point, ObservationPlatform, Grand CanyonPlatform, Grand Canyon

Pueblo Cliff DwellingsPueblo Cliff Dwellings& Granaries& Granaries

Grand CanyonGrand Canyon

Not ExpectedNot Expected

BeautifulBeautiful

Striking -- Grand CanyonStriking -- Grand Canyon

White Water RaftingWhite Water RaftingGrand CanyonGrand Canyon

Desert Watchtower,Desert Watchtower,Grand CanyonGrand Canyon

Toroweap Falls, Grand CanyonToroweap Falls, Grand Canyon

Colorado RiverColorado River

Hopi’s House, Grand Hopi’s House, Grand CanyonCanyon

Hoover DamHoover Dam

Once known as BOULDER DAM.Once known as BOULDER DAM.

Completed during 1935 and turned Completed during 1935 and turned over to the Federal Government in over to the Federal Government in 1936 to be renamed after President 1936 to be renamed after President Herbert Hoover.Herbert Hoover.

Building the dam cost over a hundred Building the dam cost over a hundred lives.lives.

Hoover DamHoover Dam

Hoover Dam UpstreamHoover Dam Upstream

Hoover Dam Memorial,Hoover Dam Memorial,Grand CanyonGrand Canyon

Grand CanyonGrand CanyonNavigate ThisNavigate This

Preservation of the Preservation of the SpeciesSpecies

To date endeavouring to maintain To date endeavouring to maintain the Condors within California the U.S. the Condors within California the U.S. authorities have spent 35million authorities have spent 35million dollars.dollars.Considered a good investment and Considered a good investment and supported by the visiting tourists.supported by the visiting tourists.Note – These birds have an average Note – These birds have an average wing span of 12 feet.wing span of 12 feet.

Condor in Grand CanyonCondor in Grand Canyon

MajesticMajestic

ProtectedProtected

CostlyCostly

Rescue Services, GrandRescue Services, GrandCanyonCanyon

Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National ParkEstablished by U.S. Congress and Established by U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1S. Grant on March 1stst 1872. 1872.

Widely held to be the first national Widely held to be the first national park in the world.park in the world.

Despite its established status little Despite its established status little was implemented to protect it for was implemented to protect it for many years.many years.

YellowstoneYellowstone

My favourite Park.My favourite Park.John Muir, a Scots born immigrant John Muir, a Scots born immigrant persuaded Teddy Roosevelt to persuaded Teddy Roosevelt to safeguard this unique area and safeguard this unique area and preserve its natural beauty for preserve its natural beauty for mankind by legislation, hence the mankind by legislation, hence the protection afforded by the National protection afforded by the National Park Service.Park Service.

Teddy Roosevelt &Teddy Roosevelt &John MuirJohn Muir

Toulumne River, YellowstoneToulumne River, Yellowstone

Lower Basin AreaLower Basin AreaThis area is subject to geothermal This area is subject to geothermal activity which draws visitors mainly activity which draws visitors mainly to view the exquisite display of to view the exquisite display of colours erupting from the ground and colours erupting from the ground and the various named geysers.the various named geysers.

The Park Rangers constantly warn The Park Rangers constantly warn these visitors ‘Stick to the Approved these visitors ‘Stick to the Approved Pathways’. Pathways’.

Beehive Geyser, YellowstoneBeehive Geyser, Yellowstone

Yellowstone Prismatic SpringsYellowstone Prismatic Springs

Paint Pots – Wide AnglePaint Pots – Wide Angle

Paint Pots - ClosePaint Pots - Close

Fountain GeyserFountain Geyser

Geyser ActivityGeyser Activity

Old Faithfull, YellowstoneOld Faithfull, YellowstoneEvery 91 MinutesEvery 91 Minutes

The Most PopularThe Most Popular

Monmoth hot SpringsMonmoth hot SpringsYellowstoneYellowstone

Yellowstone North gateYellowstone North gate

Pronghorn Deer, YellowstonePronghorn Deer, Yellowstone

A Real FishermanA Real Fisherman

Bison in WinterBison in Winter

Bison at Hot SpringsBison at Hot Springs

WolvesWolvesWolves were re-introduced to the Wolves were re-introduced to the park in an effort to maintain the park in an effort to maintain the balance of nature as predators and balance of nature as predators and thus curtail the culling of deer.thus curtail the culling of deer.

Surrounding Ranchers have rebelled Surrounding Ranchers have rebelled and constantly illegally slaughter, and constantly illegally slaughter, when afforded the opportunity.when afforded the opportunity.

The Bison also drift from the Park. The Bison also drift from the Park.

The New PredatorThe New Predator

Grey Wolf Running in SnowGrey Wolf Running in SnowYellowstoneYellowstone

Coyote, YellowstoneCoyote, Yellowstone

A Rattler, YellowstoneA Rattler, Yellowstone

A True Grizzly BearA True Grizzly Bear

A Grizzly in YellowstoneA Grizzly in Yellowstone

Wildfire in YellowstoneWildfire in Yellowstone

Wildfire 1988, YellowstoneWildfire 1988, Yellowstone

Wildfire Pyrocumulus CloudsWildfire Pyrocumulus Clouds

Elk in Winter, YellowstoneElk in Winter, Yellowstone

Yellowstone in WinterYellowstone in Winter

Death Valley National ParkDeath Valley National Park

The Second Park visited.The Second Park visited.

A total contrast, truly desolate and A total contrast, truly desolate and again unique in its formation.again unique in its formation.

Hermit’s ArchHermit’s Arch

The Arches, Death ValleyThe Arches, Death Valley

Lightning StrikesLightning Strikes

Camping in the ArchesCamping in the Arches

Courthouse TowerCourthouse Tower

Borax Wagons, Death ValleyBorax Wagons, Death Valley

Transporting BoraxTransporting Borax

Zabriskie Point BadlandsZabriskie Point BadlandsDeath ValleyDeath Valley

Desert CactusDesert Cactus

Odd AttractionsOdd Attractions

Devil’s Cornfield. Thickly clumped Devil’s Cornfield. Thickly clumped stems of arrowweed form the ’corn stems of arrowweed form the ’corn shocks’.shocks’.

A popular nearby area is the ‘Devil’s A popular nearby area is the ‘Devil’s Golf Course’, a rocky, salt encrusted Golf Course’, a rocky, salt encrusted area where only the devil could play area where only the devil could play golfgolf

Devil’s Cornfields,OutcropsDevil’s Cornfields,Outcrops

Devil’s Golf CourseDevil’s Golf CourseDeath ValleyDeath Valley

Amongst the DunesAmongst the DunesDeath ValleyDeath Valley

Racetrack, Death ValleyRacetrack, Death Valley

Eureka Dunes, Death ValleyEureka Dunes, Death Valley

Death ValleyDeath ValleyHole in the Rock - HideoutHole in the Rock - Hideout

Sequoia National ParkSequoia National Park

The land of the GIANT REDWOOD The land of the GIANT REDWOOD trees.trees.

To be seen to be believed.To be seen to be believed.

They are so immense they dwarf They are so immense they dwarf human visitors.human visitors.

Kaweah Gap, High SierrasKaweah Gap, High SierrasSequoiaSequoia

Shasta Cascade, SequoiaShasta Cascade, Sequoia

Sequoia Park AttractionSequoia Park Attraction

‘‘The Tunnel Log’ is a tunnel cut The Tunnel Log’ is a tunnel cut through a fallen giant sequoia tree.through a fallen giant sequoia tree.

The tree which measured 274 feet The tree which measured 274 feet tall and 21 feet in diameter, fell tall and 21 feet in diameter, fell across the park in 1937.across the park in 1937.

A tunnel was cut 8 feet tall and 21 A tunnel was cut 8 feet tall and 21 feet wide to make the road passable.feet wide to make the road passable.

Tunnel Tree, SequoiaTunnel Tree, Sequoia

Sherman Tree TrailSherman Tree TrailSequoiaSequoia

General Sherman, SequoiaGeneral Sherman, Sequoia

Crystal Caves, SequoiaCrystal Caves, Sequoia

Cougar, SequoiaCougar, Sequoia

Moose, SequoiaMoose, Sequoia

Alaskan MooseAlaskan Moose

Shake & BakeShake & Bake

Time to FinishTime to Finish

Thank youThank you