Yosemite rangers propose makeovers for popular overlooks onto park’s granite icons

Yosemite overlooks to get makeover, tree trimming

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — Tourists will soon have the chance to help guide Yosemite rangers’ plans to revamp viewing areas of the park’s most famous granite icons.

Park officials announced a proposal this week to redesign popular overlooks and vistas of the park’s cherished monoliths, including Glacier Point, Ulmsted Point and Tunnel View.

The plans include cutting down cedar and pine trees and overgrown manzanita to open up vistas onto Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and other peaks that comprise some of Ansel Adams’ trademark photographs.

The public has through September 17 to comment on the proposed plan, which rangers say would improve views at about 200 different viewpoints throughout the park. A final decision on the proposal is expected by winter 2011.