Constant improvement of the roads makes Yosemite more and more readily
accessible. Every class of accommodation is provided for the comfort of
the tourist. But the National Park Service has carried the idea of
service to a still higher point in providing a free nature-guide
service. In other words, the visitor is encouraged to avail himself of
the offices of an interpreter in the form of a trained ranger-naturalist
who can answer his questions and reveal the many fascinations of nature
which abound on every side. To enjoy fully a national-park trip, one
must learn to read the trails.
During the summer season a splendid program of lectures and nature-guide
service is offered to visitors. One should plan to take advantage of the
lectures and trips listed below which are available only during the long
summer season. During winter months the modified program consists mainly
of lectures at the hotels and the museum. The more the visitor knows
about the park and its wildlife the more he will enjoy his stay. This
service is maintained by the Government and is free to the public.
Nature walks from Camp Curry each morning (except Sunday).
Special bird walks at 8 o’clock each Wednesday morning.
Auto caravans each day at 9:30 a. m. and 2 p. m. (except Sunday) to
points of special interest on the floor of the Valley. These start from
museum, visitors using their own cars.
Each day (except Sunday) there is an all-day hike to Glacier Point,
Vernal and Nevada Falls, Eagle Peak, Tenaya Canyon, or Half Dome.
At the evening camp-fire program at Government Camp No. 14, Camp Curry,
Yosemite Lodge, and the Ahwahnee Hotel there are short talks on
wildlife.
Short talks on the geology of Yosemite Valley are given several times
each morning and afternoon in the museum.
Each week a naturalist leads a party on a 7-day hike into the
spectacular high mountain region of the park, starting from Happy Isles
at 7:30 o’clock each Monday morning. Make reservations in advance at the
museum.
A junior nature school for children is conducted during the summer.
The bears are fed every evening at 9:30 o’clock at the bear pits, and a
short talk is given on animal life of the Yosemite.
Groups or organizations may procure the services of a naturalist by
applying to the park naturalist at the museum.