Yosemite National Park continues to attract fewer visitors - a trend in evidence again in 2004 with possibly the lowest tourist total in 14 years.

The NPS is expected to report less than 3.4 million visitors for the year, almost a 20% drop in the past seven years, and park officials are at a loss to explain the continuing decline.

While no one is certain why Yosemite visitor numbers continue to slip, there is little doubt about how the slump began. Eight years ago this month, a large flood filled Yosemite Valley and shut down the park for many weeks. Visits tumbled from almost 4.2 million in 1996 to 3.8 million in 1997.

Check out these colorful new t-shirts sporting the Yosemite National Park logo developed by Michael Osborne Design for the Yosemite Association's park identity program.

The stone-washed shirts are printed on the left chest with "Experience Your Yosemite," and carry a full-color Yosemite National Park logo (about 9 inches across) on the back.

Available in three muted colors, the shirts regularly retail for $16. But YA members with their 15% discount can purchase the t-shirts now for only $13.40!

We recently learned that DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, one of our park partners and the chief concessioner here, has expanded its discount program for YA members in 2005.

In addition to numerous lodging discounts, you can now save on several popular seasonal activities, such as skiing at Badger Pass and golfing in Wawona.

Separate coupons were created for each lodging property and activity and sent to members earlier this month.

Members also are entitled to a 10% discount at other lodging properties in and around Yosemite, and we send thanks to DNC and all our other generous business partners who make these special reductions possible!