In reply to David Coley:
thanks for posting. as others have said, a compelling piece of writing.
i'd allowed myself to believe that the US national parks were genuine wilderness, preserved in their pristine state by the benevolence of the government, and found Yosemite a deeply moving experience of natural wonder. I was always kidding myself, but i hadnt realised to quite what an extent.
Echoes of another 'wilderness' area, and the process that led to it becoming one, in scotland- with even more brutality and violence. so much of what we see as a pure expression of pristine nature is in fact nothing of the sort. I agree with the article, there should be much more prominent information about the origins of the park on display for visitors; the context is uncomfortable, but better than delusion.