Yosemite and a Half Dome jigsaw puzzle

Ever dreamed about a visit to Yosemite National Park but never really got the chance? Not everyone has the time or resources to travel to Yosemite, so today we’re going there on a virtual journey. We’ll look back in time to how Yosemite began and how Half Dome became what it is. On top of that, you can enjoy this pretty amazing jigsaw puzzle. So, grab your coffee, sit back, and let’s take a little journey together!

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Yosemite National Park – how it all began

Yosemite’s journey as a National Park started with President Abraham Lincoln signing the Yosemite Grant on June 30, 1864. This grant set aside park land for preservation and public use, giving California the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. The condition was that they would be held for public use, resort, and recreation forever.

Afterward, supporters such as naturalist John Muir campaigned for more safeguards for the vicinity encompassing Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove. Their efforts paid off with the establishment of Yosemite National Park on October 1, 1890. Initially, the park did not include Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove, but these regions were incorporated in 1906.

Half Dome allure in a jigsaw puzzle

The Half Dome in Yosemite Valley is a majestic granite dome. Geologists believe its distinct shape, which resembles a giant stone cut in half, formed about 93 million years ago. The unique shape of Half Dome was then sculpted over millions of years by weathering and erosion, with the most significant changes occurring during the last Ice Age, which ended approximately 10,000 years ago.

If you, or someone you know, is a hiker, you’ve probably heard about the ‘Cables Route.’ The trail gets its name from the system of steel cables installed along the dome’s steep granite shoulder to assist hikers in their final ascent to the summit. This system, first put in place in 1919, allows hikers to climb the last 400 feet of the trail without rock climbing equipment. It’s so popular that the National Park Service runs a lottery system to award climbing permits.

That’s a wrap on our virtual tour through Yosemite. With a little bit of luck, we’ll be making a real journey there this spring. I have no intention of even applying for a permit for the Cable Route. I am, however, very interested in less demanding hikes and, of course, sightseeing.

It’s incredible what nature has to offer, so I hope you join me again next week for another puzzle and post. Did you miss last week’s Friday Morning Post and jigsaw puzzle? Use this link to go there now or view all my Friday posts here.

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