Tenaya Canyon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tenaya Canyon |
|
|---|---|
Looking up Tenaya Canyon from the top of Half Dome
|
|
| Length | 10 miles (16 km) NE to SW |
| Geography | |
Tenaya Canyon is a really cool and wild canyon located in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. It stretches about 10 miles (16 km) from Tenaya Lake all the way down to Yosemite Valley.
This canyon is home to Tenaya Creek, which flows through it. The creek creates amazing waterfalls and pools. You can see beautiful spots like Pywiack Cascade and Three Chute Falls inside the canyon. These are near Mirror Lake.
What is Tenaya Canyon?
Tenaya Canyon is a deep, narrow valley carved by a creek. It's surrounded by huge granite mountains. One of these is Clouds Rest, which is next to the famous Half Dome.
You can get a peek at the top of the canyon from Tioga Pass Road (also known as Route 120). This road goes through Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass. From a spot called Olmsted Point, you get a great view. You can see Clouds Rest and Half Dome towering over the canyon.
At the very bottom of the canyon, in Yosemite Valley, you'll find Mirror Lake. You can reach this lake by taking a shuttle bus and then a short walk.
Why is Tenaya Canyon Dangerous?
Even though it's beautiful, Tenaya Canyon is known for being very tricky and dangerous to explore. There isn't a proper hiking trail through it.
- No Trails: There are no marked paths, so it's easy to get lost.
- High Water: In spring and summer, the water levels in Tenaya Creek can be very high. This makes it even harder to cross.
- Slippery Rocks: The rocks are often wet and smooth from glaciers. This makes them super slippery, so it's easy to fall.
- Waterfalls and Swims: Even when water levels are low, you might have to swim through cold pools or climb around dangerous waterfalls.
Park signs warn people not to hike in the canyon. It's best to enjoy its beauty from safe viewing points.
The Legend of the Curse
Tenaya Canyon has a famous story connected to it. It's about a "curse" that Chief Tenaya supposedly put on the canyon in the 1850s.
- The Story: The legend says Chief Tenaya was sad and angry because his son died. This happened when a group of soldiers tried to move his people from Yosemite Valley.
- Mysterious Events: People who believe in the curse point to strange accidents, disappearances, and deaths that have happened in the canyon. For example, two hikers died there in 1996.
- "Bermuda Triangle" of Yosemite: Some park rangers have even called Tenaya Canyon the "Bermuda Triangle of Yosemite" because of these mysterious events.
It's important to remember this is a legend, a story passed down through time. It adds to the canyon's wild and mysterious reputation.
