Millions of years later these would become the giant rocks called Half Dome and El Capitan in Yosemite Park.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

The story of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the area that is Yosemite National Park begins about 500 million years ago.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

They take many pictures of the huge rocks, the beautiful Yosemite Valley, the waterfalls and the giant trees.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

People come from all over the world to climb one of the huge rock formations at Yosemite.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

In 1864, a United States senator called for legislation to give the Yosemite Valley to the state of California as a public park.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Yosemite has a beautiful slow-moving river and large grassy areas where you can see wild animals.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Then the road goes lower and lower into the area of the park called Yosemite Valley.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

John Bachar was born in Los Angeles and became famous in Yosemite Valley in California.

VOA: special.2009.12.09

Heavy snow forces some of the roads into Yosemite to close during the winter months.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

It takes place in the mountains of the Eastern High Sierra near Yosemite National Park.

VOA: special.2010.08.02

That area of Yosemite National Park is the traditional international center of rock climbing.

VOA: special.2009.12.09

Many winter visitors come to Yosemite to spend their time skiing at Badger Pass.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Humans have lived in the area of Yosemite for more than 4,000 years.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

In the winter, heavy snow falls in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

One book critic wrote: "Someday,people are going to wake up and realize that Woody Guthrie and his songs are a national treasure, like the Yellowstone or Yosemite parks."

VOA: special.2010.06.20

One of these waterfalls, Yosemite Falls, is the 5th highest on Earth.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Visitors can stay in different kinds of places in Yosemite Park.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

They drive from one place to another to see Yosemite.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

In the summer months, Yosemite Park is filled with visitors.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Most people who come to Yosemite usually bring a camera.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Whenever visitors come to Yosemite, they experience great natural beauty.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Yosemite will leave its image in your memory forever.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Yosemite is about 320 kilometers east of San Francisco.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Yosemite National Park is a place of extremes.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

Many visitors come to Yosemite again and again.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

There are 13 beautiful waterfalls in Yosemite Valley.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

They lived in Yosemite Valley near the river.

VOA: special.2009.01.07

No major roads lead to Yosemite National Park.

VOA: special.2009.01.07