At the foot of Yosemite Valley [1] perhaps the most recognizable feature in Yosemite rests high above the valley floor. Ansel Adams’ famed photographs of Half Dome (visible from most of the valley floor) made it known to hikers and photo-lovers the world round.
Scientists believe that Half Dome was never a whole dome—in fact, it sits now in its original formation. This piece of a narrow granite ridge was polished to its smooth “dome” shape by glaciers tens of millions of years ago, giving it the fallacious appearance of half a dome.
Want to climb Half Dome? See the Hiking [2] section for information about this strenuous ascent and other valley hikes.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/yosemite-and-the-eastern-sierra/yosemite-national-park/sights/yosemite-valley
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/yosemite-and-the-eastern-sierra/yosemite-national-park/hiking/yosemite-valley