April 2016 Yosemite Instagram Month in Review
Reflecting on an April to remember in Yosemite National Park with our April 2016 Yosemite Instagram Month in Review. There is so much beauty in the Sierra Nevada when we have wet winters and springs. After four years of drought, we were happy to see emerald green meadows and reflective vernal pools of Yosemite Valley. The […]
A Hiker’s Guide to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
Low Impact Tips for Hiking Half Dome By John P. DeGrazio Half Dome is the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park and one of the most sought after adventures on the planet. The demand for this hike is so great that the National Park Service began implementing a permit lottery system in 2011 to reduce extreme overcrowding […]
Cholock, why do you rush?
A Youthful Poem By John P. DeGrazio Witnessing the thunderous crashing of waterfalls in every corner of Yosemite Valley is a rite of spring that excites countless travelers from around the globe. Observing the growth and decline of Cholock (the Native American name for Yosemite Falls) each year always leaves visitors yearning for more when this ephemeral waterfall […]
March 2016 Yosemite Instagram Month in Review
March came in like a lion. Early storms added to our snowpack which boosted the waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. The days received an extra hour of light as we sprung forward with daylight savings. Spring is the season for Yosemite waterfalls. Record crowds continue to rush to the waterfalls which continue to be the main […]
February 2016 Yosemite Instagram Month in Review
February 2016 was a day longer this year which meant we all got an extra day of adventure. It was also the warmest February on record. Due to rapid snow melt, January snow turned into fuller than expected February waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. Here are some of the most popular photos from our February 2016 Yosemite Instagram with […]
Horsetail Fall Firefall 2016
Yosemite Horsetail Fall Waterfall Magic I’ve never been known to be avant-garde. My fashion sense on the trails leaves a little to be desired, but that’s a topic for a different day. When it comes to photography, it seems I also have a lot of catching up to do, especially if you talk to my good friend and […]
YExplore Celebrates 10 Years in Yosemite National Park
Help Us Celebrate Our 10 Year Anniversary By John P. DeGrazio I have always been fond of the number ten. It’s the title of my favorite album by one of my favorite groups of all time, Pearl Jam. 10 was also the number worn by New York Yankees first baseman Chris Chambliss whose 1976 ALCS […]
Please Stop Trashing Our Beautiful Sierra Mountains
An Open Letter to Keep California & the Sierra Nevada Beautiful Spanish Translation Below By John P. DeGrazio Dear Visitors, I would like to begin with a very friendly hello and welcome you to our home in the Sierra Nevada mountains. While you are here, I would like to ask you to please do your part […]
January 2016 Yosemite Instagram Month in Review
Here are some of our most popular photos from January in Yosemite on Instagram with 140 likes or more. There are many more on our feed so please follow and share to help us build our audience @yexplore. All photos taken on an iPhone 6s You can learn more about photography with the photos you don’t take. […]
Half Dome #119 Peaches with Mia
My Yosemite Ambassador Story By John P. DeGrazio 2016 marks the Centennial Anniversary of the National Park Service. When I first learned of the Yosemite Ambassador program to celebrate this anniversary, I was highly impressed with the group of athletes, musicians, and local personalities who were selected. I was profoundly happy for my good friend Les Marsden […]