CLIMATE
Yosemite is famous for it’s “Mediterranean” climate with most precipitation occurring during the winters. Other months are nearly dry, with less than 3% precipitation during the Spring Summer and Fall,. Average temperatures range from 25 °F (−4 °C) to 53 °F (12 °C) at Tuolumne Meadows at 8,600 feet. At elevations below 5,000 feet, temperature is comparatively warm. The mean daily temperature at Yosemite Valley (elevation 3,966 feet or 1,209 metres) varies from 46 - 90 °F (8 to 32 °C).
Average seasonal snowfall also varies across the park. It is estimated that areas at the higher elevations, especially between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, receive an average snowfall of 150 to 200 inches per year. The greatest snow depth at any one time
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The extensive glaciations of the region has resulted in poorly developed top soil and soil horizons .Soils generally have low shrink swell potential because of their minimal clay content but high erosive potential because generally they are thin and …show more content…
This granite monolith extends about 3,000 feet from base to top and is one of the world's favourite challenges for rock climbers and BASE jumpers.
El Capitan is exclusively composed of granite. A pale,coarse-grained granite emplaced approximately 100 million years ago. Figure 8: El Captain Source- www.allyosemite.com
Cathedral Range : Cathedral mountain range is located to the South of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. This mountain range is actually an offshoot of the Sierra Nevada. It comprises of Cathedral Peak, Unicorn Peak, Eichorn Pinnacle, Matthes Crest, Echo Peaks, Echo Ridge,and Cockscomb. The mountains were formed by glacial action carving out the granite material. However ,the tops of these peaks in were at a height much above the highest glaciations level, hence remained un-eroded and distinct spire-like in shape. The range is named after Cathedral Peak, which resembles a cathedral spire in shape.
Figure9: Cathedral Range showing peaks. From Left to right- Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb, Echo Ridge ,Cathedral Peak.
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