Little Yosemite Valley

Little Yosemite Valley
Little Yosemite Valley from Washburn Point
Little Yosemite Valley Topographic Map
Floor elevation6,150 feet (1,870 m)
Length3.5 miles (5.6 km)[1]
Geography
Coordinates37°43′58″N 119°31′13″W / 37.73278°N 119.52028°W / 37.73278; -119.52028 

Little Yosemite Valley is a smaller glacial valley upstream in the Merced River drainage from the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. The Merced River meanders through the 3.5 mi (5.6 km)[1] long flat valley, draining out over Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall before emptying into the main Yosemite Valley. It can be reached by a day hike from the main valley, and is the most popular area in the Yosemite Wilderness.[2] The Valley provides access to nearby destinations such as the back side of Half Dome, Clouds Rest and the High Sierra Camp at Merced Lake.

Little Yosemite Valley is a tread on the glacial stairway of the Merced River that runs from Yosemite Valley up to Mount Lyell, gaining some 7,600 ft (2,316 m) of vertical elevation over 21 mi (34 km) and is situated some 2,000 ft (610 m) in elevation above Yosemite Valley proper.[3]

  1. ^ a b "Little Yosemite Valley". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley". National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference paper_160 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).