the gold standard of yosemite videos!!!
I have seen this video 1000+ times!!! I have met the rock climber.. Ron Kauk and he is an awesome guy.
This video was shot in 1988-1989, and is recorded on VHS.. so the clarity is not that great.
It gives a very broad overview of the discovery, (taken Lafayette Bunnells journal), history, and present condition of the park.
I have a lot of newer Yosemite DVD's, which the clarity is much better... but this remains a classic!!!!
CLASSICS NEVER DIE!!

Beautiful and touching
This is such a beautifully made documentary about humans' interaction with Yosemite. Dr. Carl Sharsmith's last scene is so very moving (he was my botany instructor at San Jose State University). Unfortunately, the VHS quality is poor because it is duped at extended-play speed. This documentary deserves DVD treatment. Robert Redford, are you listening? DVD!

Mesmerizing and Thoughtful!
What is nature? What is the purpose of a national park? Why are we drawn to the solace of nature? Is Yosemite really part of the wilderness? These are some of the questions addressed in this outstanding documentary. Words from the journals of the early explorers of the pristine valley are mixed with encounters with the current (1990) horde of visitors to the valley. The backdrop of stunning images of the park are mesmerizing as one's mind wonder about the place we call Yosemite. A wonderful thought provoking film about nature and national parks. Highly recommended!

Seems dated
My opinion may be a little biased, because my copy had no soundtrack and was covered in static from a really bad dupe (it's going back to Amazon tomorrow), but it seemed long on the people shots (circa 10 and 20 years ago) and short on scenery. I managed to hear a little bit of the narration taken from the Bunnell book, and there didn't seem to be any indication that "Dr." Bunnell's book, written decades after the fact during a boom in Yosemite's reputation, is considered to be somewhat bogus--but it's dramatic, so what the hey? For the unvarnished history of the valley (such as the fact that it was a mosquito-invested wall-to-wall swamp when it was discovered), I'd recommended picking up a few of the available books; for scenery, there's got to be something better than this.

Outstanding
A wonderful film. The best I've ever seen about the Park. A must see before a visit or after a visit. The final shots of Carl Sharsmith in the snow brought tears to my eyes.