Flood waters from a record snowpack damaged many backcountry bridges in the spring of 1969. Vibram soles leave their distinctive mark on trails everywhere. This trail is both high on top of a mountain and along the coast. Formerly an island in San Francisco Bay, these hills are now protected as a popular hiking, biking, and bird-watching park. Several trails climb half a mile straight up from the floor of Yosemite Valley, making a rapid transition from the crowded valley to the backcountry.
Maintained trails are essential in areas of otherwise impenetrable chaparral.
Robert Louis Stevenson enjoyed the beauty of this spot on his honeymoon a hundred years ago. Parking can be a problem when many people drive to the same place to go hiking. A series of trails encircle Yosemite Valley, high above the crowds and traffic. Many natural areas, such as the floor of Yosemite Valley, are accessible to wheelchairs. Trails have been built to some seemingly inaccessible viewpoints.