If you've never visted Yosemite, I envy you. The first time you go is an amazing experience. Growing up in Atwater, CA a few hours drive away from one of the most stunning national parks in the country, my punch card is full. However, even with all my experience, I didn't realize Yosemite's View Lodge is considered one of the most haunted places in the state.
Not until I moved thousands of miles away, anyway.
Yosemite is a natural wonder
For those of you planning a post-pandemic trip, I highly recommend Yosemite, even without the paranormal, which obviously is a plus if you're a spooky travel lover like me. But let's start with the non-ghostly history and festivities.
Yosemite national park was built in 1890 on October 1 as an act of Congress. Yosemite has garnered a world-famous reputation. That one was beautiful parks in the country with its breathtaking natural scenery and natural marvels like Half Dome and the massive Sequoia Trees in Mariposa Valley. Environmentalist John Muir and a group of friends were the ones to launch a campaign for Yosemite national park. Before the park was established, though, the land was home to Native Americans living in the Yosemite Valley, located in The California Sierra Nevada Mountain range.
The Native Americans live in peace until 1849, when the gold rush brought in thousands and thousands of minors and settlers looking for a new life and to strike it rich. Of course, with the influx of people, that meant Tour started to come, which led to damage to the ecosystem of Yosemite Valley.
In 1864, to stop the commercial exploitation of the beautiful natural Landscape, conservationists were able to convince President Lincoln to Mark Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as protected under a public trust of California.
For the first time in history, this trust allowed the US government to protect land and open it to the public. This decision with the groundwork for the current national and state park system. It was Yellowstone that became the first national park in America in 1872.
In 1889, when John mirror discovered that the meadows around Yosemite Valley, which were not protected, or being overrun by cattle, mirror along with Robert Underwood Johnson, a magazine editor, and environmentalist, push for national park status. The following year on October 1, Congress took about 1500 mi.² of land, roughly the size of Rhode Island, and turned it into Yosemite national park, the third national park in America. In 1906 Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were placed under federal government rule with the rest of the park.
Today, over 3 million people visit Yosemite yearly. Natural wonders to snap some shots of that you're sending include the Yosemite Falls, One of the world's tallest waterfalls at 2425 Fit. If you're brave and an experienced climber Half Dome Is a popular option for anyone who wants to try a challenging hiking trail. But be warned. People die.
If you're looking to turn your stay at Yosemite into more than a day trip, the good news is there are lodgings. The Yosemite View Lodge is located at the edge of the Merced River, close to the entrance to Yosemite. The lodge is also known as one of the most haunted places in Yosemite.
It is here that visitors have reported hauntings and ghost sightings.
Are the River People haunting Yosemite View Lodge?
While none of the stories have been proven, there are many eye-witness accounts. One guest staying the night with a friend at the lodge mentioned how he woke in the night to see a shadow standing by his bed. He claimed the figure had "no face" and was about five feet tall.
The guest called the spirit a "River Person," fearing it was one of the Native American spirits pulling on the river's power. The woman, who says she has psychic abilities, also reported it is rare for her to see actual ghosts. When she researched online, she found others had similar experiences. Shadow people have visited other guests' rooms, standing at the edge of beds when visitors sleep. People have been pinched, tapped on the shoulder, and had their luggage thrown.
I say the only way to know what might haunt the Yosemite Lodge is to visit yourself. Currently, Yosemite is accepting guests but there are some rules set due to COVID-19. Guests visiting Yosemite until Thursday, September 20, will require a reservation.
I highly recommend Yosemite if you're thinking of visiting California anytime soon, whether you experience paranormal activity or not. The moment I go back home, you know I'm booking a room.
The question is, are you brave enough?
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm
"Yosemite" by nakashi is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0