Tag: Olmsted Point

At an elevation of 8,400 feet (2,560 m), Olmsted Point provides great opportunities for taking photographs of Yosemite Valley. Looking eastwards provides outstanding views of Tenaya Lake and, in the distance, Mount Conness. Tenaya Lake is seen encircled by Polly Dome, Pywiack Dome, and Tenaya Peak. Looking westwards you get wonderful views of the northern aspect of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and Tenaya Canyon. The best time to arrive is from late afternoon until sunset or, indeed, later to take night photographs.

Additional panoramic views can be found by crossing the road and climbing the dome, which is scattered with bristlecone pines. On the dome, you get fabulous perspectives of Mount Hoffman and the northern peaks.

Around the granite slopes to the south and south-westwards, you can find “erratics”. These are boulders that were transported then deposited by glaciers in the last ice age. They differ in the size and type of rocks native to the area.

Olmsted Point was named after the architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted Junior. In 1860 these two men were involved with John Conness in the dedication of Yosemite and Mariposa Grove as a National Park. In fact, it was John Conness who submitted the bill in Washington. In1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill designating these lands to the California State for “public use, resort, and recreation” for all time. This was the first time that lands had been set aside to protect them and allow their use for all people.