Returning home after two weeks out there in the wilderness, I found it extremely difficult to share my feelings with my family. There have just been way too many precious moments—happy, challenging, or meaningful—that happened in the short period of 14 days. All in all, backpacking through Yosemite was one of the best and most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. Teenagers from all over the world, whom I now call friends, came together and entered the gate to the mystery of nature. From “swading” in lakes and setting up group tents, to carrying 50-pound bags and taking care of bodily functions in the woods, to playing guitar around a campfire and watching the stars, we grew stronger as a group. Besides the physical satisfaction from completing hike after hike, hill after hill, I was shocked that I could uncover and witness the naked beauty of nature. Realizing that wallpapers on computers were in fact not artificially produced, I was amazed to find a corner in this world where wilderness seemed preserved as its most natural self.
Sincerely,
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
“This backcountry trip in Yosemite was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Witnessing the most natural beauty of this world in person could not possibly be something I could easily forget, ever.”
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Greetings from Yosemite National Park
Snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and lush meadows. I was surrounded by these stunning views while hiking Gaylor Peak in Yosemite. The peak is accessible via a relatively short but steep hike, offering an exhilarating challenge for hikers like me who seek panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada. Higher up the…
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Greetings from Yosemite National Park
Entering Yosemite National Park, I looked up through the sunroof to see The Nose, a wall climbing route on the world-famous summit El Capitan, and a path once thought impossible to scale, yet conquered since by a select few individuals. At that moment, I recalled Connor Herson, the youngest person…
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