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| Massive Renovation Project to Begin in Yosemite Valley |
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Yosemite park visitors will have to put up with
construction dust over the next three years as the NPS
pours $140 million into perhaps the biggest remake of
Yosemite Valley since the 1960s. Up to 300 workers will
build everything from sewers to motel rooms.
Work will start in earnest as the leaves turn for fall.
Crews will begin extensive repairs and realigning of
antiquated water, sewage, and electricity lines
between Curry Village and Yosemite Lodge, traversing
meadows, wetlands and riverbed. Next year, many new
dormitory buildings will be built at Curry Village for park
concession employees. Around Curry Village, plans call
for a 460-seat amphitheater north of Clark's Bridge.
And the far-reaching redevelopment of Yosemite Lodge,
including a new Indian Cultural Center and
some new rooms, is expected to kick off next year. By
2006, Northside Drive will be shifted south of
Yosemite Lodge, and the busy intersection near
Yosemite Falls will become part of a pedestrian
promenade or trail.
To read more about what's in store for Yosemite Valley,
how various park interest groups feel about the
renovations, and just how it will all be financed, check
out the full article in our newsroom.
To read more about upcoming construction in Yosemite... »
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| New Y.A.-Logo Vest Perfect for Fall! |
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Y.A.'s new dark-blue Polartec® vest looks great (it's
embroidered with our 80th anniversary logo) and is
guaranteed to keep you warm when autumn
temperatures start to drop.
The Cascade- style vest was manufactured for us by
Chuck Roast of New Hampshire, and it is one of the
most versatile items of clothing you can find for the
outdoors.
Made of Polartec® 200 from Malden Mills in a full zip
unisex style with front hand-warmer pockets, the plush
vest features Y.A.'s colorful embroidered logo that's 2.5
by 3.5 inches, a charcoal gray collar, a hemmed
bottom, and a silver zipper. It is available in S, M, L,
XL, and XXL sizes.
Get ready for fall or get a head start on your holiday
shopping by purchasing one of these comfy vests soon.
As always, Y.A. members receive a 15%
discount and can purchase this $49.95 vest for
only $42.46.
To purchase a Y.A.-logo vest... »
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| Winners of Coloring & Essay Contests Announced |
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To celebrate our 80th anniversary this year, Y.A.
sponsored both a coloring contest and an essay
contest for young people. Children ages 1 through 10
were asked to color a Yosemite scene, while the essay
contest on the topic "What Makes Yosemite Special?"
was for 11- to 18-year-olds.
The winner of the coloring contest for ages 1 to 5 was
Kelianne Witt of Walnut Creek, while the
winner for kids 6 to 10 was Parisa Jahangiri of Villa
Park. They each won a $50 savings bond and a
Yosemite stuffed bear.
The essay contest for ages 11 to 14 was won by
Jacob MacMaster of Clovis, and the 15 to 18
age group winner was Selena Beckman-Harned of
Cary, North Carolina. They each received a $100
savings bond and a Y.A. fleece vest.
Y.A. sends thanks to everybody who submitted an
entry to our 80th anniversary coloring and essay
contests. Choosing winners was very hard given the
high quality of so many submissions. To see and read
the winning entries, please click on the link below.
For a list of all the contest winners and to see the 1st place entries... »
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| We Still Have Some 2004 Yosemite Wall Calendars |
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If you haven't picked up a wall calendar for the
new year, now's the time to do so. The 2004 Yosemite
calendar features a variety of subjects, from lofty
granite domes to snow-laden forests, and from
sparkling waterfalls to untouched meadows.
Work is included by such renowned photographers as
Keith Walklet, Dennis Flaherty, and Michael Frye. From
icons in Yosemite Valley to high country landscapes and
peaks, their images capture the spirit of awe John Muir
felt so strongly when he made the park his home.
Each month is laid out with thumbnails of the previous
and following months, and is annotated with important
dates and holidays and phases of the moon. The 14 x
11 inch calendar unfolds to a 14 x 22 inch size and is
printed in full color.
Don't be unprepared when the new year rolls around -
get your beautiful 2004 Yosemite calendar now. As
always, Y.A. members receive a 15% discount
and can purchase this $11.95 calendar for only
$10.16.
To purchase a 2004 Yosemite wall calendar... »
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| Cables on Half Dome Go Down Next Week |
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The cables on Half Dome will be taken down on
Wednesday, October 15, marking the official closing of
the Half Dome Trail for the season.
The last day to hike Half Dome is Tuesday, October 14.
The cables extend approximately 300 yards up the
steep shoulder to the 8,842-foot dome. They give
access to the summit and to the unparalleled views of
Yosemite Valley and the surrounding mountains of the
Sierra Nevada.
For a vertiginous view from the cables looking down,
please click here. (Photo by David
Riggle courtesy of the National Park Service.)
To read the NPS news release about the Half Dome cables...
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