Lyell Canyon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lyell Canyon |
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Looking down into Lyell Canyon from the John Muir trail
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| Floor elevation | 8,850 feet (2,700 m) |
| Length | 8 miles (13 km) |
| Geography | |
Lyell Canyon is a beautiful, flat valley located in Yosemite National Park in California. It's a special place with wide open meadows and wooded areas, perfect for exploring. The Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River flows through it, making it a lively home for plants and animals.
Discovering Lyell Canyon
Lyell Canyon stretches for about 13 kilometers (8 miles). Most of the canyon sits at an elevation of around 2,700 meters (8,850 feet). As you travel further, the land quickly climbs to 3,370 meters (11,056 feet) at Donohue Pass. This pass is located below Donohue Peak, which marks the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park.
The valley floor is quite flat and wide. It follows the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. This area features open meadows and lovely wooded sections. The Lyell Fork eventually joins the main Tuolumne River.
How Lyell Canyon Got Its Name
Both Lyell Canyon and Mount Lyell are named after a famous person. This person was Charles Lyell, a well-known geologist from the 1800s. A geologist is a scientist who studies the Earth's solid features, rocks, and how the Earth changes over time. Charles Lyell was also a friend of Charles Darwin, another very famous scientist.
Exploring the Canyon Trails
Lyell Canyon is a popular spot for hikers. It's considered an easy hike if you start from the Tuolumne Meadows campground. Two famous long-distance trails pass through the canyon: the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Hikers love this trail because it offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains. You can also see a beautiful waterfall and many colorful Sierra wildflowers. It's a great way to experience the natural beauty of Yosemite.
