Compass American Guides: Yosemite & Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks, 1st Edition

Table of Contents

Introduction ............ 14
How to Use This Book ............ 16

Best Experiences ............ 18

History of the Parks ............ 40
Native Americans ............ 44
Early Explorers and a Rush for Riches ............ 45
Preserving the Parks ............ 49
Tourism Takes Root ............ 54
The Parks Today ............ 60

Yosemite National Park ............ 62
Sights ............ 76
Best Day Hikes ............ 128
Other Activities ............ 142

Sequoia National Park ............ 168
Sights ............ 173
Best Day Hikes ............ 197
Other Activities ............ 204

Kings Canyon National Park ............ 226
Sights ............ 235
Best Day Hikes ............ 251
Other Activities ............ 256

Where to Stay and Eat ............ 266
The Lowdown on Lodging ............ 270
The Lowdown on Camping ............ 271
The Lowdown on Places to Eat ............ 274
Yosemite National Park ............ 277
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks ............ 296

Geology, Flora, and Fauna ............ 308
Geology ............ 314
Flora ............ 316
Fauna ............ 328

Practical Information ............ 340
Best Times to Visit ............ 342
Communications ............ 346
Entry Fees and Passes ............ 346
Getting to the Parks ............ 347
Getting Around ............ 352
Health and Safety ............ 356
Pets in the Park ............ 363
Time ............ 363
Visitor Information ............ 364

Index ............ 368

Acknowledgments ............ 377

Spotlights
Supersized Sights ............ 154
Rock Climbing in Yosemite ............ 212

Topical Essays and Sidebars
Buffalo Soldiers: The First Park Rangers ............ 55
Free For All ............ 58
Yosemite’s Indian Wars, New and Old ............ 79
Among the Lovers of Nature ............ 89
Ansel Adams, At Home in Yosemite ............ 92
The Firefall ............ 107
A Feast of Trees ............ 113
Mono Lake ............ 125
Half-Dome: A Survival Guide ............ 134
Yosemite in Winter ............ 152
The Biggest Living Thing in the World ............ 192
Warning: Marmots Ahead ............ 195
The Big Trees ............ 196
Hiking Mt. Whitney ............ 207
Sequoia National Park in Winter ............ 208
A Grander Canyon ............ 237
Too Big to Be True? ............ 241
Kings Canyon National Park in Winter ............ 264
The Lure of the Lodges ............ 286
Wildfires: A Friend of the Forest ............ 319
Our Bear Brethren ............ 331
Festivals and Seasonal Events ............ 344
Take Nothing But Pictures, Leave Nothing But Footprints ............ 362
Recommended Reading ............ 366

Maps and Charts
Orientation to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks ............ 17
Yosemite National Park ............ 66—67
Yosemite Valley Floor ............ 78
Wawona and Mariposa Grove ............ 108
North Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy ............ 116—117
Sequoia National Park ............ 174—175
Kings Canyon National Park ............ 232—233
Camping in and Around the National Parks ............ 305—307
Yosemite’s Free Shuttles ............ 353

Table of Contents

"…[Fodor's Compass Yellowstone and Compass Yosemite] are such beautifully photographed guides they almost look like mini coffee-table books, and the in-depth works cover everything from the history of the parks to lodging, activities and dining. The photos are just so wonderful it's almost impossible not to pick up the phone and start making reservations. Thoughtful descriptions, clear maps and thorough explanations of features round out well-organized and well-made offerings." –The Denver Post