In 1890, spurred by the advocacy of John Muir, Yosemite was established as a National Park, expanding the protected areas of the valley to encompass the surrounding high country in the beloved Sierra Nevada of majestic California.
In the same year, in Carisolo, Marco Ambrosi, my great, great grandfather set the corner stones for Cavria and gave birth to this magical spot. I live in California and deeply love the Sierra Nevada – its jagged peaks, watercourses, lush Alpine terrain – it bears a deep kinship with the beloved Dolomites of my childhood.
And there’s more coincidence. The famous domes of Yosemite – Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Lembert Dome, North Dome and over a dozen others – their pure black and white – are largely made of Tonalite, a granitic rock characterized by a high proportion of feldspar and quartz.
Why does this matter? Because Tonalite is actually named after the Tonale – the high mountain pass behind Cavria between the Adamello and Presenella peaks which is known mainly for incredible summer skiing on the Presena glacier (now sadly dwindling). The Tonale also inspired the name for Alfa Romeo’s Tonale SUV. This part of the Alps and Yosemite – the whole of the Sierra Nevada are two of the most prominent places for Tonalite.
And indeed, I often describe the Val Genova, which Cavria overlooks with its glaciers, torrents, and many waterfalls, as the Yosemite of Italy.
It’s a beautiful echo and connection between the two beloved ranges in my life.