Yosemite is that park that has been a hotbed of excitement for as long as people can remember.
Its beautiful landscapes have been drawing in millions of tourists from year to year.
From its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams and biological damage diversity,
everyone at one point or the other had wanted to visit this wonderful
nature filled place. But in recent times, NASA dropped a jaw dropping announcement
concerning this park and it's simply that the park has been closed down indefinitely.
What mysteries does the Yosemite park hold? Why was it shut down by NASA? What
has Michio Kaku got to do with Yosemite National park? Maybe he has some sort of
explanation for this disappearances. Join us as we explain this mystery together.
Welcome to Yosemite Park Yosemite National Park, nestled in California's
Sierra Nevada mountains, is a breathtaking expanse covering 1,200 square miles. Often cited as the
second-largest national park in the United States, it's a place where nature reigns supreme. From
towering granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls to ancient giant sequoias, Yosemite offers a feast
for the senses. This global symbol of beauty attracts around 5 million visitors each year,
eager to experience its wonders. Yosemite National Park stuns visitors with its natural wonders.
Among its most breathtaking features are the countless waterfalls. Spring, from May to June,
is the prime time to witness these cascading giants in all their glory, fueled by snowmelt.
Yosemite is also renowned for its awe-inspiring giant sequoia trees. These ancient giants,
some estimated to be around 3,000 years old, tower over the landscape. Their massive trunks
can reach up to 30 feet in diameter and soar to heights exceeding 250 feet! They are the
third-longest living tree species on Earth. The park's most senior sequoia is the Grizzly Giant,
residing in the Mariposa Grove. These and many more are what make Yosemite a popular place.
The immense popularity of this park has made it more shocking that NASA
has decided to shut down the park following the mysterious disappearance of people in the area.
History of Yosemite Park
Yosemite Valley boasts a rich human history stretching back millennia.
Evidence suggests Native Americans inhabited the region as early as
7,000 to 10,000 years ago. Various tribes thrived here, with the Miwok being the most
recent inhabitants. They called Yosemite Valley "Ahwahnee," believed to mean "Place
of the Gaping Mouth," and referred to themselves as the Ahwahneechee.
The Ahwahneechee lived in harmony with the land, relying on hunting, fishing, and harvesting acorns
for sustenance. Their peaceful existence was disrupted by the discovery of gold in
California's foothills in the mid-1800s. Tensions rose as miners encroached on their territory. In
response to an attack on a trading post by some angered tribe members, the Mariposa Battalion,
a state-sanctioned group, was formed. In 1851, they entered Yosemite Valley in pursuit of the
Ahwahneechee, led by Chief Tenaya. The tribe was captured and forced onto reservations,
though eventually allowed to return to the valley that now bore their name.
By 1855, the first tourists arrived in Yosemite. Recognizing the need for preservation,
a group of influential Californians successfully petitioned Abraham Lincoln to sign the Yosemite
Grant in 1864. This act granted Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias protected
status as a state-managed public reserve. Conservation efforts continued. In 1890,
concerned about the destruction of Yosemite's surrounding areas by grazing and logging,
John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson launched a successful campaign. They
persuaded Congress to designate the high country as a national park,
forever protecting the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite for generations to come.
Yosemite's significance extends far beyond its borders. It's become a
global symbol of beauty and conservation efforts. This international recognition
came in 1984 when UNESCO declared Yosemite a World Heritage Site.
Yosemite National Park is a sanctuary for both wilderness and biodiversity.
This thriving ecosystem provides a stage for ongoing scientific exploration and
discovery. Geologists marvel at the park's iconic granite formations like Half Dome and El Capitan,
while biologists delve into the wonders of Yosemite's diverse life forms. But Yosemite's
significance extends far beyond the realm of science. It's a haven for all outdoor enthusiasts.
The park offers a spectrum of trails, from gentle walks perfect for families to challenging hikes
that test the limits of experienced adventurers. Yosemite's majestic landmarks, from the cascading
Yosemite Falls to the serenity of Yosemite Valley, have captivated millions through photographs
and firsthand experiences. Rock climbers from across the globe dream of scaling Yosemite's
legendary cliffs, while vast wilderness areas offer solace to those seeking a tranquil escape
and a deep connection with nature. The park's vast size, its varied landscapes, and its rich human
history solidify its status as a destination of national and international importance.
However beneath its tranquil exterior,
Yosemite hides a series of mysteries that have baffled visitors and authorities alike. It's
because of these mysteries that a park like NASA might intervene in the park's affairs.
Yosemite and Mysterious disappearances
The mysterious disappearance of people has made NASA involved in the Yosemite park with Michael
Fizer's case being one of the major ones. Michael Fizer is a 51 year old adventurer who suddenly
vanished in an unexplainable way within the park. Fizer isn't a newbie to the world of wilderness
as his adoption into the Fizer's family made him have a deep connection with the outdoors.
Yosemite was like a second home to him with all its rugged terrains and scenic trails. You see,
Fizer didn't just love the outdoors but he had an exceptional memory especially for
hiking trails. This makes his disappearance more mysterious. The last trip he took to Yosemite
was like every other. June 15th 2005, Fizer embarked on a solo hike through a routine he
had mastered over the years. His trip was to take him through Hetch Hetchy reservoir to
Lake Eleanor which is a trek of about 9 miles. He was familiar with the area given his years
of hiking the said trail. But this last trip something went wrong and Micheal Fizer simply
vanished into the thin air. When it was noticed that Micheal didn't return as planned, concerns
over his whereabouts grew. His family knew he had the tendency of miscalculating hiking distances,
so they hoped something horrible hadn't gone wrong and wanted a simple explanation.
Their worry then escalated to an alarm and a filing of a missing person report. The
officials of Yosemite park immediately launched a search and rescue operation. The search for
Michael Fizer was very extensive as it involved a team of experienced searchers aided by dogs
and helicopters searching through the park. They found his backpack, water bottle, camera
and topographical map near the trail but Micheal was nowhere to be found. They also found his car
parked at the Hetch Hetchy parking lot. All these fueled the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
Despite the thorough efforts put into the search he was never found and no other clue
relating to his disappearance popped up. Micheal Fizer's disappearance led to many questions:
how did he disappear while being a seasoned hiker? Had he met an accident of natural causes?
Or was there something supernatural at play? The lack of closure has led to continued questions,
pain and confusion. Because it doesn't just make sense as to how a seasoned hiker who was very
familiar with the trail just simply vanished? Michael Fizer's disappearance raised a lot of
questions that have gone unanswered even till this day. Mind you, he is not the only person
to have disappeared from Yosemite park. There have been a lot of other disappearances that
have been recorded in the area that have fueled the mystery surrounding the park as a whole.
David Paul Morrison disappearance
Another disappearance that has added to the mystery of Yosemite park is the disappearance
of David Paul Morrison in 1998. David was a 28 year old chef from San Francisco who loved
to hike and was an avid hiker of the trails in Yosemite park. His disappearance to this
day is shocking and fuels the mystery that surrounds the beautiful Yosemite
park. On the fateful day of 25th of May, David explored the Yosemite park with his
girlfriend. David was an experienced hiker who wanted to conquer the challenging trails
of Half Dome which was a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite valley.
That particular day started like every other, with sun casting its rays on the beautiful landscape
of Yosemite park and the wildlife waking up to hustle for their daily meal whilst the air
was filled with the scent of pine. As for David, he told his girlfriend that he had plans for an
early morning solo hike intending to meet up with her later in the day. He was last seen at 7.15 am
at Yosemite valley which is a waypoint route to half dome. The people that were opportuned
to see him before his disappearance noted that he didn't seem equipped for overnight camping.
He was carrying just a day pack, dressed in sweatshirt and running shoes. As time went
on and David who had gone for a quick hike failed to return, concerns mounted as to his
whereabouts. His girlfriend who was waiting at the agreed meeting point reported him missing.
Thus, the search for David began. It was prompt and extensive. On the first night,
searchers combed the area expecting to find him injured but nearby. By the third day,
the search escalated to 75 searchers, five dogs and helicopters were added to the mix.
Sadly, the ground search team couldn't find even a single trace of David neither did the
search dogs pick up his scent in the half dome or the little Yosemite areas. Adding
to the mystery the searchers experienced technical issues with their GPS units
reporting lost data and slow auto locking. Despite the extensive efforts David was
never found. His vanishing left behind a trail of many questions and no answers.
B Ovor Von Laass disappearance The disappearance of B Ovor Von
Laass who was a Swedish national in the year 1954 at Yosemite park adds to the mystery surrounding
the park. Ovor was an intellectual who loved the great outdoors and had been living and
studying in the US for a while, embracing the vast wilderness the country had to offer. The
fateful day of his disappearance was like every other day in the month of October
1954. Ovor and his wife with her parents were enjoying the wondrous beauty of Yosemite while
staying at the popular Ahwahnee hotel. Ovor, who is well known for his adventurous spirit,
decided to take a short hike to get a better view of the Yosemite valley.
This decision would end up leading to his vanishing. Ovor left the hotel at around 3
pm leaving his family behind. He wanted to climb the Royal Arches which was a popular spot for the
breathtaking views it offers. He was experienced in climbing both in Sweden and California but his
experience didn't stop him from vanishing as he was never found again. An immediate search for
Ovor commenced. Park rangers who were experienced in climbing the granites of Yosemite park were
involved in the search for Ovor. They had to climb the perilous granite walls of Royal Arches. Search
dogs were also brought into the search, tracing Ovor scent to the base of the cliffs. But the
scent ended there and the dogs just sat at the base unable to trace the scent anymore.
Professional mountain climbers also joined in the search, confused as to why Ovor, who is a
professional climber, would climb such a hazardous mountain without proper gear. Despite efforts
put in, Ovor was never found, leaving those involved in the search confused and exhausted.
Walter Gordon’s disappearance
Walter's disappearance in 1954 also adds to the already unexhaustive list of missing
people in the Yosemite park. This disappearance which occurred the same year as that of B Ovor
Von Laass casts a mysterious view over the serenity that Yosemite has to offer. Walter,
who was a 26 year old graduate, has become part of Yosemite history under
circumstances that continue to baffle experts and enthusiasts alike. It was the summer of 1954,
young Walter worked at Yosemite as a summer clerk at Camp Curry. Walter was also an avid
hiker who was familiar with the hiking trails at the park. He decided to go on a solo hike
on a familiar trail called the ledge trail. He informed his colleagues that he would be back by
nightfall. However as dusk turned to darkness, Walter didn't return thereby sparking concerns
as to his whereabouts. A search for Walter was initiated and it was a thorough one
which involved the mobilization of resources of park rangers, volunteers and search dogs.
The 2-mile Ledge Trail was a familiar hiking ground for Walter, making his disappearance
all the more perplexing. Search dogs tracked his scent along the path, but in a baffling twist,
the trail abruptly ended at the road leading out of the park. This sparked speculation
that Walter might have hitchhiked away. Chief Ranger Oscar Sedrin explored this possibility,
but it raised more questions than answers. Walter left all his belongings behind and showed no
intention of leaving. Despite a relentless search, no sign of Walter was ever found,
and no new clues emerged. This incident, eerily similar to Ovor Von Laass's disappearance,
adds another layer to the enigma surrounding Yosemite National Park. We're left wondering:
what truly happened to Walter Gordon, and why did the search dogs lose his
scent so abruptly? These unanswered questions continue to haunt Yosemite.
Disappearance of Dean Nyan Amongst the numerous disappearance
of people at Yosemite park, the disappearance of Dean Nyan in 1972 stands out as surprising. Dean
was a 29 year old medical student from the United Kingdom and was on a vacation at Yosemite park
when he mysteriously vanished leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Dean’s story
began on July 24th 1972, when he rented out a cabin at Curry village in Yosemite park. Dean
was a bright and ambitious student at Cambridge university with a promising future ahead of him.
On that fateful day, he set out to explore Yosemite which was famous for its stunning
vistas and challenging trails. That was the last time anyone saw Dean. The most confusing
aspect of his vanishing was the state in which his cabin was found. When the park
staff entered into his cabin on July 31st the day he was expected to check out, they found
out that all of his belongings were untouched. And scarily enough the bed appeared to have not
been slept in. Dean seemed to have vanished after his arrival leaving now trace behind.
Despite an exhaustive search by park rangers led by Chief Ranger Jack Morehead,
Dean inexplicably vanished from Yosemite National Park. The search covered everything from rides
and concessions to hiking trails and even remote backcountry areas. The baffling disappearance is
compounded by the fact that Dean went missing near Half Dome, a well-marked
and popular area of the park. Desperate for answers, Dean's prominent diamond-industry
father hired a private investigator. The investigator tirelessly interviewed park
rangers and Curry Village employees, hoping to reconstruct Dean's final steps. Unfortunately,
just like the official search, the private investigation yielded no leads.
Decades later, Dean's disappearance remains a haunting enigma in Yosemite. No one can
explain how a bright young man could vanish without a trace in such a heavily visited
area. Dean's case is a chilling unsolved mystery, forever lost in the vast wilderness of Yosemite.
Joel Tomasin Disappearance
Joel Tomasin was a 31 year old Denair man who set out to go on a hike on September 6th from
the Hetch Hetchy reservoir all the way out to Lake Eleanor which is roughly around nine
miles or 14 kilometers. He originally planned to return to the Hetch Hetchy reservoir but
he failed to return. He was then declared missing on that day. Immediately Yosemite
national park officials released a statement as well as the description of the missing hiker.
He was described as being about 5 feet 10 inches with a buzz cut brown hair, carrying a yellow and
gray backpack with a green sleeping bag, a blue and green hammock and a red inflatable kayak.
The park officials deeply urged anyone who had been in the area of Migel meadows, Lake Eleanor or
the trails surrounding the Hetch Hetchy reservoir to alert the authorities if they knew of his
whereabouts. When the search party started, Joel Tomasin was nowhere to be found. Amanda Tomasin,
who was Joel's wife, had made a Facebook post on Sunday after he was declared missing.
A desperate search unfolded for Joel Tomasin, with 16 search and rescue teams and their canine
companions scouring the area. The entire county rallied, deploying helicopters, kayaks, boats,
and all available equipment to comb every inch of the location where Joel was last seen. Tragically,
despite these extensive efforts, no trace of him has ever been found.
This disappearance, along with others in Yosemite, inevitably raises questions about potential foul
play. However, without any evidence, such theories remain just that – theories. The truth behind
Joel's fate, like that of many others who vanished in national parks, may forever remain a mystery.
Timothy John Barnes disappearance
In 1988, Yosemite's list of unsolved disappearances grew with the case of Timothy
John Barnes, a 25-year-old resident of Cucamonga, California. Timothy had left Tanaya lakes right
near highway 120 east to Tioga road in California. This was at approximately 9 in the morning. On
July 5th 1988, Timothy had this plan to hike from the Murphy Creek Trailhead all the way to Polydome
lakes in Yosemite national park. The location is approximately three miles from Tanaya lakes but
like every other hiker who promised that they would be back he was never seen again. Looking
at these disappearances one might think maybe there's a human trafficking element involved.
These people involved do not just disappear but disappear completely without a single trace
After his friends reported him missing, a thorough search was conducted by park rangers and search
and rescue personnel, but yielded no clues. Tragically, Timothy was declared legally dead
in 1992, four years after his disappearance. Despite three decades passing, no remains
have ever been found, leaving his family, like those of other missing persons, without closure.
Trina Bona Ventura’s disappearance
In 2007, an 80-year-old hiker named Trina Bona Ventura vanished under mysterious circumstances
in Yosemite National Park. Despite her age, Trina was physically fit and passionate about hiking,
frequently exploring the outdoors. Her disappearance occurred on July 30th, 2007,
while she was at Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, a remote area of Yosemite reachable only by
foot or horseback. This campsite, nestled amidst towering granite formations and pristine lakes,
offered a tranquil retreat into nature. Trina, accompanied by three friends,
embarked on a hike to explore the surrounding trails. After several hours, Trina decided to
return to the camp alone, citing concerns about bear activity and food storage. This decision
marked the last time her friends saw her. Upon their return to the campsite, Trina was
nowhere to be found. Despite extensive search efforts involving over 150 rescue personnel,
including specialists trained for high-altitude operations, and the use of trained search dogs,
no trace of Trina was discovered. The search team found themselves confused,
unable to uncover any leads despite thorough searches around the campsite and along the trails.
Two weeks after vanishing, Trina's body was found by a park ranger during
a routine patrol in the Echo Creek drainage area, a rugged and densely vegetated region
southwest of Tuolumne Meadows. This area, not easily reached via established trails,
had already been thoroughly searched, puzzling rangers as to how Trina ended up in such a
remote location. The discovery raised further questions about the circumstances surrounding
her disappearance, contributing to the mysterious nature of the incident in Yosemite National Park.
Strange sightings of Kit a former park ranger
During her tenure as a volunteer ranger in Yosemite from 2014 to 2016,
Kit encountered a spine-chilling event she never imagined witnessing—a scene straight out of her
nightmares. This unsettling encounter unfolded one spring evening in 2015 in the enchanting
Tuolumne Meadows. Assigned to evening patrols alongside a fellow ranger, Kit found herself
navigating the meadows in her jeep around 8 or 9 p.m. The sun had just dipped below the horizon,
casting a dim glow across the landscape, just enough to stave off complete darkness but still
necessitating the use of headlights. As they traversed the winding road, their attention
was drawn to movement in a nearby grove of trees. Slowing down, anticipating wildlife
crossing their path, they were met with a sight beyond their wildest imaginations. Emerging from
the shadows was a creature unlike any they had ever encountered. Initially mistaken for a bear,
their eyes adjusted to reveal a towering figure, standing at least 5 feet tall, its elongated
head adorned with long brown fur, and piercing yellow eyes that glimmered eerily in the night.
What they initially mistook for a bear revealed itself to be something far more
unsettling to Kit—an oversized wolf-like creature, brimming with unnerving features
that defied natural norms. Its sheer size and imposing presence sent shivers down Kit's spine,
especially as it locked eyes with the car headlights, its massive front paws
resembling hands more than typical animal parts. The creature's mottled fur, tinged
with patches of light gray, heightened its tapered waist and muscular frame,
exuding an aura of primal strength. Frozen in disbelief, Kit and her partner could only watch
in awe as the creature emitted a spine-chilling howl before retreating on all fours, with a scowl
on its face etched into their memories. Then, in a twist straight out of a horror flick,
accompanied by a wet popping sound, the creature began to rise onto its hind legs, transforming
into a towering figure reminiscent of a werewolf from folklore. Standing at least eight feet tall,
it loomed over them, a surreal manifestation of their worst nightmares brought to life.
Once more, the creature fixed its gaze on their vehicle, delivering a final menacing scowl before
disappearing into the depths of the woods. Despite her two years as a ranger, Kit had
never encountered anything remotely resembling the mysterious being. She and her colleague,
who still works at Yosemite Park, rarely discuss the encounter, fearing disbelief or ridicule
from others who might dismiss their story as sheer madness. Yet, Kit remains steadfast in
her conviction, unwavering in her belief of what she witnessed, knowing it was far from anything
considered ordinary. But given her background(her father being Germanic and her mother a mix of
different tribes) she grew up with a lot of native lore and legends so she's well aware
that these creatures exist although before she only entertained the idea and not fully believing.
George Penca’s disappearance
At the time of his disappearance, George Penca was a young 30-year-old, vanishing without a
trace on July 17th, 2011, while hiking the Upper Yosemite Falls trail in Yosemite National Park.
George was part of a church group visiting from Hawthorn, California, consisting of
approximately 80 individuals. On that fateful day, about 20 members, including George,
were trekking the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. As the group reached the summit, they separated,
with some hikers returning to camp at their own pace. George likely lagged behind the main group,
but his friends assumed he had already returned to Yosemite Valley earlier in the day. It wasn't
until 9 p.m. when no one had heard from him that they reported him missing. Of the 80
individuals from his church group, George was the sole member to vanish without a trace. The
perplexing aspect of this disappearance lies in the trail's bustling activity that day,
making it improbable for George to have gone unnoticed if he fell or was abducted. Though not
impossible, the likelihood of such scenarios occurring amid the busy trail is minimal.
George Penca's attire, which was described in the missing persons report were gray
sweatpants with crisp white stripes, a black t-shirt melded with varying shades of gray,
and the distinct blue running shoe, along with his trusty blue cloth bag and meager provisions.
Upon his abrupt disappearance, a large rescue operation sprang into action, mobilizing over
100 seasoned personnel from across the state. The search and rescue team, augmented by helicopters,
search dogs, and reinforcements from neighboring counties numbering up to seven or eight, launched
a meticulous sweep of the vast expanse surrounding Yosemite National Park. Despite their exhaustive
efforts, including scouring every inch of the Upper Falls trail where George was last spotted,
the search yielded no trace of him, leaving the seasoned rescuers baffled and confused.
The stark absence of any evidence amidst the fervent aerial surveillance and keen scent
tracking capabilities of the search dogs defied logic, especially considering the bustling trail
and favorable weather conditions prevailing on that fateful day. As the days turned into weeks,
the search efforts gradually dwindled, ultimately culminating in a sad conclusion after a thorough
week-long endeavor on June 23, 2011, with no semblance of a clue emerging regarding
George's whereabouts. Now, eleven years on, the mystifying absence of any trace
of George Penca's disappearance continues to haunt Yosemite national park till this day.
George's story is a haunting reminder of the park's unpredictable nature and the
unexplained mysteries that lurk within its vast wilderness. Yosemite national park has
been the backdrop for a series of unexplained phenomena that extends beyond the usual tales
of disappearing hikers. Park rangers, hikers and locals have reported these mysterious
occurrences contributing to a growing sense of intrigue and unease surrounding the park.
Going back to how Michio Kaku might be involved or have something to say
about all of these. Michio who is a renowned theoretical physicist,
futurist, and popular science communicator is a formidable person in anything space talks. Being
a professor of theoretical physics at the City College of New York and CUNY Graduate Center.
He might have some explanations concerning the mysterious disappearance of hikers in Yosemite
park. Having authored several bestselling books aimed at making complex scientific concepts
accessible to the general public, including "Hyperspace," "Parallel Worlds," and "The
Future of Humanity. Maybe these disappearances involve aliens and UFOs but since science has
no explanations as to the vanishing Michio Kaku would definitely back up the claims of science.
The mysteries surrounding Yosemite park will most likely not end as one doesn't know what
causes the disappearance of its hikers. But maybe if there can be clues as to the whereabouts of
the disappeared, then their families may get the closure they badly want. What do you think
of these disappearances? Would you still go ahead to explore Yosemite park today if given
the opportunity? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below and thank you for watching.