The Yosemite — John Muir

John Muir, famous for his naturalist essays and books, was over 70 years old when he wrote "The Yosemite" as a reflection on the beauty of the national park. Muir was a naturalist, so he was highly invested in describing the landscape, flora, and fauna of Yosemite National Park. He even said that "no temple with manmade hands can compare with Yosemite." Muir knew the terrain well, having hiked and climbed Cathedral Peak, Mount Dana, and the old Indian trail that lead to Mono Lake. The naturalist also built a small log cabin along Yosemite Creek and lived there for two years, enjoying the quiet natural life. "The Yosemite" describes Muir's interactions with the people he met over the years in Yosemite along with his adventures, like riding an avalanche. John Muir is best known as one of the first nature writers in America. Besides wanting people to know the natural beauty of their country, he wanted to instill a deep sense of conservation and protection for the untouched lands. Muir helped co-found the now-famous Sierra Club, which had a hand in making Yosemite a national park. Muir was the first president of the organization and remained in the position until his death in 1914.