Greetings from Yosemite National Park

During the summer of 2015, I had the opportunity to go on my very first backpacking trip in the backcountry of Yosemite. The very first day of the trip was probably one of the most memorable days because of just how physically taxing it was. I remember laying down on the rocks next to Catherdal Lake and letting nature’s music wash through me, ridding me of my pains and sores. It was as if nature was replenishing me with energy. Cathedral Lake is also where I spent my first night sleeping under the night sky. I was nervous about it at first, but after coaxing from friends, I decide to go for it. Man, sleeping under the stars was so worth it. It felt like the world was my bedroom and the stars were my ceiling. Never have I felt so free. The very next evening, I experienced probably the greatest sunset in my life. There was a small plain with a few streams running through it in front of the campground. Just off in the background was what I believe to be Vogelsang Peak, blending into the magnificent red-orange sunset. The picture above does not do it justice. The trip was a once in a lifetime experience that still lives in me everyday even though I am back to the busy life as a student.

Sincerely,
Jesse

Yosemite National Park

With its sculpted granite rock formations, towering ancient sequoia trees and spectacular waterfalls, it's no wonder Yosemite is one of the most celebrated national parks in the world.

State(s): California

Established: 1890

National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!

{{ active ? "Cancel" : "Begin"}}

Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.

You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.

In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!

Here’s your unique story page link:

{{ storyUrl }}

* indicates Required fields

Click to choose a file to upload

Submitting your story means that you agree to our Terms of Service

More Stories

  • Greetings from Yosemite National Park

    My family loved to go camping in Green Creek in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas in California. We would stay for a week at a time and some trips my dad would add a few hours to our drive home by through Yosemite. My sister and I loved those detours. We…

  • Greetings from Yosemite National Park

    Although the Great Smoky Mountains NP is our favorite, Yosemite is where it all began. Yosemite was included in a 1975 conference trip to San Francisco. We arrived, took a trolly ride, got off and stepped into the woods. It suddenly felt like I could breathe, deep fresh air breaths.…

  • Greetings from Yosemite National Park

    Every year either in May or November we have been going to Yosemite. When I was much younger I camped with my family and watched the fire fall. As I grew older I backpacked above Tuolumne Meadows with my girlfriend. After I met my husband, we went every year and…

Donate

Preserve Our Parks

Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.

Donate Now