Glacier Point facts for kids
Glacier Point is an amazing viewpoint in Yosemite National Park, California. It's a high cliff that looks down into the beautiful Yosemite Valley. Imagine standing 7,214 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level! That's about 3,200 feet (975 meters) higher than the valley floor. From here, you can see famous landmarks like Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the stunning Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. For many years, from 1872 to 1968, Glacier Point was also known for the Yosemite Firefall, a special event where glowing embers were pushed off the cliff.
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How Glaciers Shaped Glacier Point
Glacier Point looks the way it does because of ancient glaciers. These huge sheets of ice once covered much of the area. Even though the very tip of Glacier Point is bare rock, you can find lots of rocks and soil left behind by glaciers on its slopes.
Scientists know glaciers were here because of the types of rocks found. Many rocks at Glacier Point came from other parts of Yosemite. For example, some rocks are from Little Yosemite Valley or the higher Sierra Nevada mountains.
Types of Rocks Found
There are three main types of rocks left by glaciers at Glacier Point:
- Most common are rounded boulders and broken pieces of Half Dome quartz monzonite. This is the light-colored granite that makes up Half Dome and the surrounding areas.
- You can also find some boulders of a rough, light-colored granite. These rocks came from Mount Clark, a peak about 8 miles (13 km) from Glacier Point.
- Finally, there are pieces of yellowish quartzite and gray schist. These rocks also came from the Mount Clark area.
How to Visit Glacier Point
Glacier Point is a very popular spot for visitors. You can get there by car or by hiking.
Driving to Glacier Point
You can drive to Glacier Point using Glacier Point Road. This road is usually open from June through October. During the summer, many people visit, so it can get crowded. You can also take a bus tour, which usually lasts about four hours.
Visiting in Winter
In winter, Glacier Point Road closes because of heavy snow. If you want to visit during winter, you can only get there by skiing or snowshoeing from the Badger Pass Ski Area. It's a beautiful but challenging trip!
Hiking to Glacier Point
If you love to hike, you can reach Glacier Point using the Four Mile Trail. This trail climbs 3,200 feet (975 meters) over 4.6 miles (7.4 km). It's a moderate to difficult hike, but it offers amazing views. The Park Service usually closes this trail from December to May because of snow and ice, which can make it very dangerous.
Another trail, about 8.2 miles (13.2 km) long, goes from Glacier Point down to the Valley. This is called the Panorama Trail, and it takes you past Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall. Hikers can also find other trails, like parts of the Panorama Trail and the Pohono Trail, from Glacier Point.
Gallery
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Glacier Point, as seen from Yosemite Valley. In springtime, this cliff face is covered with dozens of tiny waterfalls from the snowmelt.
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A stunning view from Glacier Point.
See also
In Spanish: Glacier Point para niños
