Redefining the National Park

Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park. (Jordan Gorostiza)

The last time I drove out of Yosemite National Park, I had one thing on my mind. It was not one of the many cascading waterfalls. It was not the preternaturally smooth walls of granite that enclose the valley floor. Nor was it the sugar pine forests that served as a great refuge during the midday heat. All of these things certainly left a lasting impression on me. However, what I came away focused on after this particular trip was…