Half Dome in winter dress reflects peacefully in the Merced River. The giant granite monolith that rises vertically above the river was originally known as Tis-sa-ack to the Native People of Yosemite. The Ahwahnechee of Yosemite had a number of beautiful legends and beliefs as to how the many features of Yosemite came to be. Their stories are as beautiful and vibrant as the area in which they lived.