"No one knows Yosemite like the Park Service families who lived there!"
I was born in Yosemite National Park.
My father was with the National Park Service and was Yosemite's Chief Park Naturalist for almost 15 years.
During that time...we came to know the Park very well!
As Chief Park Naturalist, one of Dad's duties was to prepare information for the visitors to the park.
Describing and explaining natural and human history was not only his job, it was his passion.
His written words, personal collections and publications form the Soul of this site.
You will discover at this website unique articles photos and artwork that can only be found here at Undiscovered-Yosemite.com.
The Black Bear, Mule Deer, Coyote and Mountain Lion are now featured with beautiful pen and ink illustrations by world-famous wildlife artist Bill Berry.
These glimpses of some of the most interesting of the park animals are borrowed from our Awani Press book entitled "Animal Friends of the Sierra".
I know that you will enjoy our personal stories about each of these animals!
The page on the Bracebridge Dinner at the Ahwahnee hotel is a highlight of this site.
With the permission of the Ansel Adams Trust, excerpts from his historic Bracebridge Christmas dinner program from 1954,(including its' full text), is reproduced here for the first time.
As this site is completed, other subjects will appear, ranging from Yosemite Park History to the parks many scenic wonders...Legendary Ladies, Prominent Pioneers and Yosemite's First Photographers... Giant Sequoias and Climbing Halfdome. Unique content will continue to appear and evolve along with the site.
Enter our new monthly contest and help us identify cool old "mystery" cars in historical photos. Win prizes and have your winning information become a permanent feature of this website...with credit to you of course!
My family's friendship with Ansel Adams and his family was a factor in driving Dad's interest in medium and large format black and white photography. Because this has naturally become a "family story", I hope that the use of select family photos will help add an even warmer and more personal feel to a place that we came to love.
"Yosemite Falls was booming that warm spring day when my Dad took this picture of me.
The heavy snowfall that fell that winter was melting off and feeding the waterfalls around the Park.
It was during this short period of the heaviest runoff that we would re-discover with delight the many smaller waterfalls that would spring back to life around the valley only during this time of the year.
It was a magical time for a little boy!"
Where is Yosemite?
Where is Yosemite? Here are easy to follow driving directions from major cities and nearby airports to the various park entrances to Yosemite National Park.
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The Yosemite Indians And How They Lived
The Yosemite Indians were a highly Spiritual people...at-one with the valley they called Ahwahnee. They knew themselves to be One with the Creator, living their lives accordingly.
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Remembering the Bracebridge Dinner.
The Bracebridge Christmas Dinner at the Ahwahnee hotel in Yosemite has a long history. Learn all about the festivities from the original dinner program.
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The Big Oak Flat Road, Yosemite's high country from your car.
The Big Oak Flat road crosses through Yosemite's high country from the western boundary of the park to Tioga Pass at the eastern boundary. See Yosemite's high country from your car!
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The Tioga Road A Brief History
The Tioga road that we know today has a long and interesting history. This concise version is offered for those who are interested, but not in all of the details.
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A Halfdome first...George Anderson 1875.
George Anderson was the first man to climb halfdome. After numerous tries he slathered himself with pine pitch to keep from slipping. Learn more about the life of George Anderson.
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The Wawona Road...Camp And Hike Along The Old Yosemite Stage Route.
Follow the Wawona Road to Yosemite using the old stagecoach route with fun stops for camping and hiking along the way.
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Cool Car photo!...What is it? We honestly don't know...Help us and Win!
Successfully reaching Yosemite by car in the old days was reason for celebration! Photos of the adventurers, a car photo and the beauty of the destination were in order. Take a look!
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The Yosemite Pocket Guide..."Everything" Yosemite in your pocket.
The Yosemite Pocket Guide was written by Chief Park Naturalist Doug Hubbard and includes everything you might want to know about Yosemite...designed to fit in your pocket for easy reference!
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Roosevelt and Muir-Conservationists
President Theodore Roosevelt visited John Muir in Yosemite National Park in 1903. See how the trip compelled Roosevelt to legislate further protection of land for public use.
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The Pioneer Yosemite History Center...Yosemite's Famous Historical Buildings.
The Pioneer History Center is a collection of historically significant buildings from all around Yosemite...saved during a time when the "human history" of the park was of secondary importance!
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Camp Curry Early Days...The Curry Family In Yosemite
Camp Curry was the first affordable accomadation in Yosemite Park. Originally established by the Curry's who were teachers, for other teachers on a budget, it became a big part of Yosemite history!
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Yosemite Park History...Stephen T. Mather.
Yosemite Park History is incomplete without Stephen Mather. Read about the Tioga Road and many lesser known park initiatives credited to this great visionary.
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Doug Hubbard...Visionary
Doug Hubbard was Chief Park Naturalist in Yosemite back in what is often referred to as it's "golden days". Learn more about the man and his life-long mission to serve the park visitor.
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Bears of Yosemite
Yosemite's bears are as much a part of the park as the valley itself. Learn more about these wiley characters here.
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The Coyote of Yosemite
The Coyote of Yosemite is more often heard than seen. Though you may not see one, you can be sure that he sees you. Learn more about this beautiful wild animal.
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Mule Deer of Yosemite.
The Mule Deer of Yosemite is one of its' most beautiful animals. Named because of its big and "mule-like" ears it can most often been seen in the early morning hours grazing in Yosemite's big meadows.
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The Mountain Lion.
Mountain Lions are rarely seen in Yosemite. Extremely intelligent and wary of humans, it wasn't long ago that California maintained a state Mountain Lion Hunter! A most misunderstood big cat!
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Contact Undiscovered-Yosemite.com
Contact Undiscovered-Yosemite.com
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Lawsuits Lodges And The Tioga Road.
The Tioga Road Story includes a period of time when the private owners and the government were caught up in lawsuits. Politics were part of the story. Despite it all, the lodges flourished!
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You Can Thank Stephen Mather For Todays Tioga Road
Stephen Mather was the first director of the National Park Service. He was also most responsible for the Tioga Road as we know it today. See why we all owe this great visionary a debt of gratitude!
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