Natural Splendor | 风光秀丽的优胜美地国家公园

by Jeremy Beacock

Yosemite is one of the jewels of the United States' park system.

优胜美地是美国众多公园中的一颗明珠。

One of the earliest and most famous of the great national parks in the US is Yosemite in central California. This enormous area, which was the first park ever to have its land _(1)_ for protection in the US in 1864, covers almost 1,200 square miles. It is famous for its alluring scenery, unique animals and plants, and the range of activities _(2)_. No wonder millions of visitors are drawn to Yosemite every year.

The park is mountainous, and its geological history means that the area has _(3)_ views of cliffs, waterfalls, and deep valleys. This stunning terrain also _(4)_ more than 400 species of animals, including bears so intelligent that you need to take special canisters to protect your food. Most impressively, Yosemite is home to three groves of giant sequoias. These enormous trees live for thousands of years, and the oldest one in Yosemite is _(5)_ to be 2,000 years old.

When tourists come to enjoy this sublime place all year round, most of them _(6)_ Yosemite Valley, the park's activity center. This is the place where visitors can get a taste of the park's _(7)_. There are several spectacular waterfalls within _(8)_ distance, and there are also opportunities to canoe or raft down one of the park's many rivers. However, more adventurous tourists can _(9)_ deeper into the park. There are 800 miles of hiking trails in Yosemite, from gentle walks to difficult backpacking hikes up steep mountains. In the winter, the park is blanketed in snow, which means skiing season.

With its outstanding beauty and various activities, it is easy to see why Yosemite National Park is such a popular _(10)_. As John Muir, one of the park's founders, wrote, "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

(A) boasts  (B) venture (C) set aside   (D) head for    (E) available

(F) walking (G) appeal  (H) estimated   (I) destination (J) breathtaking

   位于加州中部的优胜美地是美国历史最悠久、最有名的主要国家公园之一。这片广大的地区占地近 1,200 平方英里，该区是美国第一座为了保育，而在 1864 年特别保留所成立的公园。优胜美地以自然美景、独特的动植物，以及园区内各项可从事的活动而闻名，难怪每年都吸引数百万游客慕名前来优胜美地。

　　优胜美地地势多山，长期以来的地质活动使得该区拥有悬崖峭壁、瀑布和雄伟的山谷，处处充满令人叹为观止的自然美景。这片绝美的地带也蕴含 400 多种动物，其中包括非常聪明的熊只，你得自备特制的金属罐来装食物，才能避免牠们偷吃。优胜美地最让人印象深刻的是园区内 3 片巨大的美国红杉树林。这些巨大的树木已有数千年的树龄，园区内年龄最老的红杉估计有两千岁。

　　一年四季都有游客前来观赏优胜美地壮丽的风景，其中大部分的人都会前往『优胜美地山谷』，这里是园区内各项活动的所在地。游客在这里可以饱览园区引人入胜的风景，其中有几座只需步行就可抵达的瀑布，游客也可以在公园内众多河流中，搭乘独木舟或是竹筏顺水而下。然而，热爱冒险的游客则可以进入公园深处探险。那里有绵延 800 英里的登山步道，其中有可以让游客漫步的路段，也有可以让背包客徒步登上陡峭山区的艰难路段。冬天的时候，这座公园会被白雪覆盖，这意味着滑雪季开始啰。

　　因为这些美不胜收的景色和各式各样的活动，我们不难了解为什么优胜美地国家公园会成为备受欢迎的旅游地点。诚如该公园一位创立者约翰‧穆尔曾写道：『漫步于大自然中，人们所获得的远超过他们所探索的。』

答案：  1. (C)  2. (E)  3. (J)  4. (A)  5. (H)  
6. (D)  7. (G)  8. (F)  9. (B)  10. (I)

For Your Information

约翰‧穆尔在 1838 年出生于苏格兰，11 岁时随家人移民美国，大学时主修机械系。1867年后，他的兴趣转向大自然，特别是前往加州的内华达山脉高山地区，目睹优胜美地之后，更是孕育了他对国家公园保育思潮与理念。

由于他的努力奔走及呼吁，促成美国政府于 1876 年颁布森林保育政策，并于 1890 年成立优胜美地国家公园。加州政府为了纪念他，特别于 1908 年在旧金山设立约翰‧穆尔森林纪念公园。