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When a young John Muir arrived in San Francisco from Scotland in 1868 he supposedly asked for directions to “anywhere that’s wild.”   Locals pointed him toward the Sierra Nevada, and it was there that he fell in love with what today is Yosemite National Park.  Legend is that he shouted with joy when he first saw Yosemite.  Over the next few years he worked as several jobs including mill worker, shepherd and hotel clerk in order to live in this vast wilderness.  

John Muir kept a daily journal where today we can find much information about his love of the Yosemite area.  One of his famous quotes detailing the joy he found here and that he was so anxious to preserve and share reads, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” Because of his feelings for this area Muir was saddened by the invasion of cattlemen, and land speculators to the area. 

One summer he traveled throughout the Sierra Nevada to study the threatened territory.  As he thrilled at the sight of alpine meadows, wildlife and vegetation of the area he wondered if they could survive into the next century. Thus began his quest to do all he could to preserve this wilderness.  His arguments for preservation included the value of this area to the water-dependent San Joaquin Valley agricultural industry.  Over the next decade Muir worked tirelessly to keep Yosemite intact and in its original state.  

Because of the dedication of people like John Muir U.S. Presidents, congress members and others became aware of areas like Yosemite and traveled to these wilderness places to see the beauty and understand the importance of preserving it.  In 1872 Yellowstone National Park became the first national park in the United States.  Yosemite National Park was officially established in 1906.  

When you visit Yosemite keep in mind the work and dedication of those that went before. Show respect for the nature that John Muir wrote so eloquently about by following the regulations set forth by the National Park Service and leave the park better than you found it by doing your part in maintaining the nature that Yosemite represents.