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YOSEMITE VALLEY

THIS wonderful place will never cease to attract visitors. If
one has seen all the rest of the world, and has left this
Valley out, he still lacks something in his experiences.
There is a note of wonder which he has never struck; a sense of
sublimity which has never been stirred ; a mingled grandeur and
beauty of which he has never dreamed. And if, having seen
it, he felt equal to describing it, he would be as exceptional in
his egotism as Yosemite is in its greatness. The first white man
who saw it was probably Dr. Bunnell, in the winter of 1849-50.
His first glimpse was of El Capitan, and from a long way off.
He was ascending the old Bear Valley trail from Redley's Ferry
on the Merced River, when "an immense cliff loomed apparently
to the summit of the mountains." He "looked upon this awe-
inspiring column with wonder and admiration," but inquiries con-
cerning that locality were fruitless, and it was not until March,
185 1, that Dr. Bunnell again saw the great rock. He was then
a member of the Mariposa Battalion in pursuit of hostile Indians.
The place was Mt. Beatitude, above New Inspiration Point.
"Suddenly we came in full view of the Valley. The immensity
of rock I had seen in my vision on the old Bear Valley trail,
forty miles away, was here presented to my astonished gaze. The
locality of the mysterious cliff was there revealed, its proportions
enlarged and perfected. * * * None but those who have vis-
ited this most wonderful valley can ever imagine the feeling with
which I looked upon the view that was there presented."

It is one story, from the first spectator to the last — the limita-
tions of human language.

Yosemite lies in the heart of the Sierra Nevada ]\Iountains,
about 150 miles from San Francisco as the crow flies, a little south
of east in direction, its elevation about the center of the valley
4,000 feet above sea level. In form it is somewhat irregular,
and its trend is northeast and southwest. It is closed at the
upper or eastern end, and partially open at the other, forming
thus a vast cul-de-sac. Its length is about seven miles, and its
width from one-half to one and one-fourth miles. The valley
has recently been receded by the State of California to the
United States, and will hereafter be taken care of by the National
Government as one of its system of national parks. The original
grant was fifteen miles in length, and in width "one mile back
from the main edge of the precipice on each side of the valley."
The recession of this territory now places it on a par with the
Yellowstone National Park in all matters of management and
improvement, and the fostering care and generosity of the Gov-
ernment will doubtless greatly increase the facilities for seeing
and enjoying this beautiful and unrivaled region.

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The floor of the valley is nearly level, the Merced River,
which flows through it, falling about sixty-three feet in its
course. More than 3,000 acres are meadow and pasture, and
trees and groves make of it a natural park. The walls which
shut it in are nearly perpendicular. They are remarkable at
once for their great height, their vertical character, and the
little talus or debris at their feet. This is part of the charm
of this great valley. Its floor is not a chaos of fallen rocks.
Green grove, emerald meadow, flowery pasture, crystal river,
crowd up to the solid white feet of lofty precipices, and one
looks up at an angle of 90 degrees to mountain summits 3,000-
5,000 feet above him in the zenith. From the twentieth story
window of the Masonic Temple, Chicago, you look down three
hundred feet to the street below. From Glacier Point you look
down the perpendicular wall of granite 3234 feet to the Valley
floor.

If the jNIasonic Temple were placed in the valley we should
see only a tiny rectangle indicating the roof. If another Masonic
Temple were placed on top of the first and another on top of
the second, and another and another until we had five, even
then the accumulated height would scarcely be discernible from
Glacier Point above. On top of these five "sky-scrapers" add
Washington's Monument (555 ft.) and on its capstone add the
Eififel Tower (984 ft.) and still we look down two hundred
feet to the top of the Eiffel Tower. How trivial are the works
of man when set beside just one rock of the Grand Architect of
the Universe.

Descriptions of such a place are like pictures of bread to the
hungry, and the only reason for this little book is to persuade
you by a recital of the facts to go to the feast. You should
see Yosemite and — not die, but cherish for all the rest of life
the sublime and beautiful vision.

You cannot find Yosemite in literature and only suggestions
of it in art. Neither the camera nor the brush of the painter
can give you the radiant atmosphere in which in midsummer the
valley lies, the play of light and shadow on granite wall and
tumbling cataract, nor the overpowering sense of massiyeness
and grandeur. You must stand on the heights and take in the
whole amazing composite picture, or look up the sheer walls
from the valley floor, where glorious waterfalls seem to drop
from the blue sky, to realize that there is a time for silence, and
a place where speech is almost an impertinence.

If you can see but one place in California, by all means let
that one place be Yosemite. No words, spoken or written, or
painting by a master hand, can interpret its sublimity.
THF WAY THPRE Routes and details of travel will be found

inb WAT intKt ^^ p^g^ ^^^ ^^^^ g^^^ special features of the

Raymond-Wawona route may be here pointed out. Routes are
first trails, and these are made by a kind of instinct. The moun-
taineer finds the best grades and the finest camping places.

\yawona is "Clark's" of the early day. Its associations are
historical and literary. This is ground traversed by Whitney's
Geological Survey. Here Longhurst fried flapjacks for the men
of the theodolite and barometer; here the swollen Chowchilla
nearly drowned mules and scientists, and here King's one-eyed
mule, Napoleon, piloted Cotter and himself to safety through a
snow-storm by night. If you care for King's delightful book,
"Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada," you will be glad to go
over some of the ground he traveled in "the sixties."

A night ride through the San Joaquin, an early breakfast at
Raymond, then the four-in-hand in the sweet morning air of
the foothills, and over oiled roads which cling to the steep
mountain-sides, you race beside the sparkling Merced and climb
to the summit of the Chowchillas amid some of the finest scenery
of the great range. If one is to keep alive the traditions of the
best days of coaching in the mountains, and can appreciate the
exhilaration of a ride in the open air, amid splendid forests and
in the grandest, most beautiful and hospitable mountain range
in the world, he will start for Yosemite from Raymond. On
this road is the greatest staging in the world. The noon-
day meal is at Ahwahnee in a pleasant mountain meadow. Here-
abouts the Mariposa lily is found, with a picture of the butterfly,
the "Mariposa" on each petal. Grub Gulch is passed, once
the scene of great mining activity. The Fresno River supplies

Hotel at Ahivahnee.

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m// • .,. T^' 7^''''^^- "^'''^^ ^"^^^^^ seventy-five miles to
Madera in the San Joaquin, on the line of the Southern Pacific
Starveling oaks and digger pines give place to yellow oine^nd
sugar pine the greatest of the tribe, and by 5 o'cbck we are
sweeping down to "Wawona." If yoir visit to the Great Valley
can be made with a little leisure, it would be a pity to miss
this fine mountain resort with its unequalled charm of meadow
a?e n?.7^V''?' ^f^ jaterall The falls of musical Chilnaualn^
are near by; a short ride will take you to the top of Signal Peak
where If It IS not hazy you see far over the S^. Joaqfim plains.'

nenJ^f ;i ' ""''^ '^'i'^ °^-^"' ^"'^^ ^°^th all fatigue and ex-
pense of the journey alone, is the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees
We will see them on our return; now we are impatient to get
into the valley but we shall need to remember that this is the
most famous of all the groves and is reached by no other route
Here are the Grizzly Giant," the "Fallen Monarch," trees
through which you will ride on the four-horse stage, with many
of the most magnificent specimens of the sequoia to be found in
any grove. It is but eight miles from the Hotel Wawona

Approaching Yosemite, the first view, if not the finest, is from
Inspiration Point. The ride from Wawona is but twenty-six miles
and as we rush down the grade, the whole magnificent vision
bursts upon us in a moment. It is quite unequalled by any other
approach to the valley and is only surpassed by the view a

J7ofeI and Cottages at Wawona.

El Capiian from the West.

little farther on, from what is called Artist's Point. From here
most of the pictures of the valley are painted and you will be
disposed to admit that the artistic feeling is right. But Inspira-
tion Point is notable, if the name does conjure up rhetorical
speeches and outbursts of emotion. It is a vision you have often
wished for, but how shall you express what you feel? Most
look with bated breath, some with brimming eye, others with
excited exclamations. One woman gazed placidly at such a
landscape as cannot be found elsewhere in the world, then amazed
her neighbor by wondering "why they did not put up lace curtains
in that dining-room at Wawona." Human nature is as sur-
prising as Yosemite.

IN THE VALLEY ^^.^^ °" ^^^^ right, or south wall, is Bridal
Veil Falls. It is such a thing of beauty as
baffles description. It slips over the lip of granite rock,
white, ethereal, and seems to drop its tenuous film into
the tree tops, and looks small and feeble at first, so
overpowering is the impression of the mighty wall. But what
grace and charm! And, as you come nearer, what sense of
power! The highest fall in Europe is said to be the Staubbach
or Dust Brook in Switzerland. But this one is higher, leaps
out of a smoother channel, has greater volume of water, and is
seen in the midst of loftier precipices. The stream is full thirty
feet wide, and falls first a distance of six hundred feet, then
rushes over a sloping pile of debris and drops a perpendicular
distance of three hundred feet more. But from the chief points
of view it seems to make but one plunge, and the effect, Prof.
J. D. Whitney said, "is that of being nine hundred feet in vertical
height."

Around the shoulder behind which Bridal Veil Creek makes
its way to the brink, are Cathedral Rocks. They get their name
from their resemblance to the Duomo at Florence, and reach an
elevation of 2660 feet above the valley floor, one spire rising
sheer and solitary for 700 feet.

Across the valley and nearly opposite, is El Capitan. It rises
3300 feet, with an apparently vertical front, and has two faces
nearly at right angles with each other. It projects out into the
valley like a buttress, and presents to the vision at a single
glance a superficial area of more than four hundred acres. It
is said that the stupendous bulk of El Capitan is such that it
can be seen from a certain vantage-ground at a distance of sixty
miles. A profile of the giant rock shows its foot slightly thrust
out into the valley, but the cleavage is so nearly vertical and the
bulk and height so immense as to make this one of the wonders
of the world.

The Three Brothers are a fraternal group a little beyond
El Capitan and their resemblance depends upon the point of view.
They are sometimes called the Three Graces. To the Indians
their attitude is said to have suggested the heads of frogs sitting
up ready to leap.

The highest one of the
three is 3530 feet, and
is known from other
points as Eagle Peak.
Its summit is reached
by one of the trails from
the valley, and the view-
is certainly worth hours
of hard climbing.

Sentinel Rock faces
Three Brothers from the
south wall, and is a
splintered granite tower
or spire, very slender,
and for about 1500 feet
below its apex nearly
perpendicular. The whole
height above the river at
its base is 3059 feet.

Back of this natural
and majestic monument
stands Sentinel Dome,
whose storm-worn top is
4142 feet above the val-
ley. We will walk over
its conoidal or onion-like
layers when we scale the
rim of the valley.

We are now at the so-
cial centre of Yosemite,
and the hotel, the little
postoffice, a few shops
and offices, are gathered
near the bridge across the
Merced, and opposite the
great waterfall called
after the valley.

Seen from the valley
centre, Yosemite Falls
seem insignificant. It is,
in fact, about thirty-five
feet wide, and when the
stream is full the roar
can be heard all over the
valley, and the shock
of its descent shakes win-
dows a mile away. Half
way across the valley it
is hard to realize that
this volume of white

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Bridal Veil Falls.

water plunges 2600 feet
— a half mile. As you
walk toward it along the
footpath it is seen be-
tween the trees, and
seems almost an un-
broken fall from its gran-
ite lip to its final impact
on the valley floor ; and
from this point the
height, the volume of
water, the gray and yel-
low granite wall, the
green foliage that frames
the picture, and the gra-
dations of color and
movements of the de-
scending torrent combine
to make it the most won-
derful and beautiful
waterfall in all the world.
In reality it is not one,
but three. Time was,
doubtless, when it leaped
from the topmost edge of
the cliff 3000 feet to the
valley floor, but some
convulsion has shaken
down the original front
to a point half way down
and the first fall is now
1600 feet of sheer de-
scent. Then comes a
series of cascades, partly
hidden, through 600 feet
downward, and a final
leap, straight down, of
400 feet.

Across the valley the
south wall thrusts out a
massive shoulder, which
is well named Glacier
Point. At no other point
is the wall so bare and
sheer, and you look up,
almost from its solid
foot 3234 feet (the fig-
ures are from the Geo-
logical Survey). The
flag which sometimes

El Capitan and the Merced.

The Yo Semite Va

floats from the brink of the precipice is eighteen feet long, but you see
it dimly, and it looks no larger than a lady's handkerchief. An iron
railing at the points protects visitors, and from here fireworks are often
displayed; coals and torches from bonfires are sent streaming over the
rim, blazing sacks saturated with oil are allowed to drift down, while
thundering bombs accompany the improvised pyrotechnics. No such
dead wall for set pieces ever was found, but if the most ambitious ever
attempted were fastened half way up this gigantic cliff, how paltry it
would seem.

A little later we will look out over the great amphitheatre of the
valley and the mountains from this majestic point.

Across the valley stands Yosemite Point, flanked on the east by
Indian Canyon, so called because by means of it the Indians of early
days used it to enter or leave the valley.

The Royal Arches will attract attention as you reach the head of
the valley. They are in the vast vertical wall whose highest summit
is North Dome. The Arches are recessed curves in the granite front,
very impressive because of their size, and made by the action of frost.

om Artists'' Point.

Much of the rock here is formed in layers hke the structure of an
onion, and the Arches are the fractured edges of these layers. Wash-
ington's Column is the angle of the wall at this point — a kind of archi-
tectural tower completing the massive wall at the very head of the valley.
Over against it, but looking down the valley, stands the highest rock
of all the region — the great South Dome, or Half Dome, as it is often
called. It is 8927 feet above sea level, or nearly 5000 feet above the
valley. Its massive front is cleft straight down for about 2000 feet,
and the fractured face is turned outward and polished by wind and
storm until it looks smooth as a floor. The side of the Half Dome
turned toward the southwest has the curve of a great helmet and is so
smooth and precipitous as almost to defy the most adventurous mountain
climber. Milton wrote of

"A rock piled up to the clouds
Conspicuous afar,"

and this describes the Half Dome. It dominates the valley from almost
every point.

Yosemite Falls from the Merced.

Passing up Tenaya
Canyon we come to Mir-
ror Lake. It is but a
pond — a widening or ex-
p a n s i o n of Tenaya
Creek — and the dust is
sifted over it and wind-
blown about its edges.
But when the slow sun
creeps over the great
flank of the South Dome
— the visit should always
be made before sunrise —
everything in this little
mirror is wonderfully
reduplicated. The effect
is very pleasing.

UP THE TRAILS

Visitors to this moun-
tain valley should plan
for time to see it from
every point and to see
all the places of interest.
The stages by way of
Raymond reach the val-
ley at noon and the
afternoon can be de-
voted to what is called
the "round trip" or
Meadow Drive on the
floor of the valley. But
next morning you will
do well to call the Saddle
Train and take a trail to
the rim of the valley.
Especially will you need
to see Vernal and Ne-
vada Falls. This will
occupy a day. The trail
leads up the rushing
Merced, past the "Happy
Isles" and along the bot-
tom of a wild canyon by
Titanic walls. Panorama
Rock is 4000 feet above
the river, almost perpen-
dicular, and at once the
highest and most con-

Vernal Falls.

tinuous wall of the
Yosemite. It is written
over by trickling water
and painted by purple
lichen, and perhaps no-
where else do you feel so
impressively the geologic
terribleness of the region.
From the bridge over the
river half a mile away
you catch a glimpse of
Vernal Falls, a thing of
glorious beauty in the
dark canyon. The river
is nearly eighty feet wide
and drops sheer down
350 feet. The spray is
driven outward like
smoke, and everything
of plant and grass, moss
and fern, is kept vividly
green by the incessant
baptism. The trail leads
directly to the top of the
fall.

A little beyond — less
than a mile — is the Ne-
vada Fall, where the
same stream plunges
downward 700 feet. The
descent is not sheer. The
great snowy torrent
glances from the sloping
rock about midway just
enough to make a com-
pound curve. Seen from
the side as you climb to
the top, or seen from be-
low, it is a wonderfully
imposing spectacle.

The setting of the fall
is impressive, Great
Liberty Cap, a granite
pile rising more than
2000 feet above the pool
at its base, with Mount
Broderick just back of it
and the Half Dome near
at hand.

JVevada Falls.

South Dome, Royal Arches and Washuigton Column,

Another day may well be spent on the trail to Yosemite Falls
and Eagle Rock. From the top we climb down to the lip of the
fall, nearly five hundred feet below the actual rim of the rock
wall, and from this point we have an inspiring view at once of
the plunging torrent and of the peaceful valley far below. A few
miles takes us to Eagle Rock, where a still wider and finer view
awaits us. It is at once sublime and beautiful, and your vision
of the lovely valley, shut in by its frowning rock walls, will never
be forgotten.

If equal to it, go on to the top of El Capitan. It is some-
thing to see the "topside" of the great Captain, and from here
the lower section of the valley is well seen.

The third day will be given to Glacier Point. The trail is
a wonderful zigzag, a triumph of engineering. And how skil-
fully the animals take this corkscrew up the granite wall ! Watch
that one just ahead of you. See how he goes to the farthest
verge of the angle. He projects himself beyond the trail, then
makes a fulcrum of his hind legs and turns with entire gravity
and deliberation, and goes on to repeat the process at the next
angle. The mountain mule, or mustang, knows somethmg about
the law of gravitation and equipoise, and often evinces quiet con-
tempt for the sagacity of his rider. Viewed from the rear the
appearance of a party on the Glacier Point trail is often pic-
turesque. There are no side-saddles, and the most timid astride

The Happy Isles of the Merced River.

these wise beasts on the steep trail are wholly safe. No acci-
dents occur, and, though unused muscles will complain, the ride
is not exhaustmg.

On the way you will pause often and look back to enjoy the
widening prospect, and at Union Point, 2350 feet above the river
all will stop and rest a little on a slight plateau or bench of the
gigantic wall. Just below stands an interesting shaft of granite
well named Agassiz Column. It is eighty-five feet high and
Its base is eroded until it looks too frail to support the greater
bulk of rock above it. It is a curiously balanced pillar, set on
the side of a tremendous cliff, almost alone.

Glacier Point is perhaps the most popular objective point
m the whole region. It is so by reason of its accessibility its
commandmg position, its great vertical height and the unspeak-
able sublimity of the view from its projecting rocks. There is
a comfortable hotel on the summit, and the stage will here meet
parties which desire to go out of the valley by this route The
projecting rocks which mark the Point are but a few yards from
the hotel. It is exactly 3234 feet from the top of the jutting
and insecure-looking rock upon which "nervy" people stand to
be photographed, down to the floor of the valley, and a pebble
dropped from this point will touch nothing until it strikes the
talus, 3000 feet straight down. Most of us who know what it
IS to look over into that gulf are inclined to let somebody else
drop the pebble. The hotel looks but a hut, stately trees are mere
shrubs, and men are but dots on the valley floor.

Much of the northern rim of the valley lies before you on the
same level upon which you stand, with a background of higher
mountains. Tliere is Eagle Rock; here Yosemite Falls, shining
in full light; opposite are the Royal Arches, the North Dome
and beyond, the Basket Dome; Mirror Lake is but a splash of
light in the canyon ; the great fractured face of the South Dome
with the outlme of its splendid helmet unmarred, is above you,'
and beyond is the naked wind-swept granite of Clouds' Rest
between you and the sky; far to the right is seen the majestic
Cap of Liberty, with Mount Lyell, Mount Starr King, Mount
Clark and the Obelisk, while, shifting your position but a little,
Vernal and Nevada Falls are seen shining in the dark canyon!
No wonder a veteran geologist called the view from the point
"the grandest sight on earth." It is a picture which the poorest
may enjoy and the richest cannot buy.

At the extreme projection of the shoulder we are on, is a
spot from which the five great waterfalls of Yosemite can be
seen, namely. Upper and Lower Yosemite, Vernal, Nevada and
Ilhllouette. The spot is called Sierra Point. The few who have
sought It out speak of it as the one point of supreme beauty in
this region of glorious views.

There is pleasure in the sunset and the sunrise from this
point, and it is worth tarrying for, to see the last rays light up
Vernal and Nevada Falls when their setting is already of the

25

night and darkness ; or in a walk in the early morning to the
top of Sentinel Dome, or down the fine trail to Illillouette Creek
and its 500-foot plunge ; or a horseback ride along the rim of the
south wall via Pohono trail, stopping at the "Fissures," those
curious crevices in the rocks, one four feet across and several
hundred feet deep. You will do well to lie down on your
stomach, crawl to the edge and look over into the abyss. You
will never forget it.

At Glacier Point, if you wish, the stage will take you up on
the return trip, going out past Ostrander Rocks, Mono and Para-
gon Meadows, and intersecting the other road where it crosses
Indian Creek under the shadows of Chinquapin.

THE BIG TREES Returning to Wawona we stop to look, to
wonder at and admire the most gigantic and
beautiful trees in the world, for with the sequoia greatness and
grace, size and symmetry go together. It is alone among the
trees of the world. If its wood was as hard and serviceable as
that of its cousin, the S. Sempervirens, the S. Gigantea would
be an ideal tree in fact as it is in form.

The Indian name for these trees is "Wawona." The
standing tree called Wawona is tunnelled, a driveway
being cut through it ten feet high and six to ten feet
wide. Through this arch the loaded stage coach drives.
The tree is 27 feet in diameter and about 200 feet high.
The Grizzly Giant is 93 feet 7 inches in circumference and it is
believed by John Muir to have reached maturity, even old age.
Mr. Muir well calls this tree the king of all the conifers of the
world and thinks that these giants probably live five thousand
years or more. The great trees were named in honor of
Sequoyah, a Cherokee Indian, born about 1770 in Alabama. He
invented an alphabet and a written language for his tribe, and
slipped into immortality when Endlicher, a distinguished botanist,
gave his name to the Big Trees. Sequoyah's English name was
George Guess.

It is impossible to see these great trees without emotion. The
eye at first does not adjust itself to their vast proportions. But
wait a little. Lie down among them ; study the great fluted col-
umns ; note the size of the limb yonder where the symmetry of the
trunk is first broken a hundred feet from the ground. That
limb is six feet in diameter, larger than any tree to be found
to-day in the Eastern States. Thus the trees will grow upon
you every hour until you feel like taking off your hat in the
presence of this unexampled life.

"The tops of many of them are broken off, showing that
decay has already begun" — so one of the books says of them.
No, no : broken by storms, or smitten by lightning, but not by
decay. Fallen, they waste away rather than rot. Trees that were
thrown down before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock are in
the Sierras to-day, with clear, bright color, and sound at heart.

27

It is not certain but that one or two may have lain for a thousand
years, and they resound to-day to the stroke of axe or hammer.
As a species they show no signs of suffering or hint of extinction.

We have sketched but briefly the scenic wonders of this whole
region. There is nothing like it in the world : no trees so truly
ideal in symmetry and yet so immense in girth ; no valley so
beautiful and yet so awful, where such Titanic forces have
wrought, yet have left a park-like floor, with a peaceful stream
flowing through flowery meadows and groves of trees, while
vertical walls, more than 3000 feet high, fence it in, and streams
break over them in cataracts, one at least fifteen times the height
of Niagara, and as majestic in volume as it is matchless in grace.
It must be seen to be appreciated.

VALLEY ITINERARIES

The tours which may be made in the Valley and its immediate
environment are varied, and the chief aim is to crowd as much
as possible into a few hours.

ROUND THE VALLEY Visitors who enter by the Wawona route
arrive about midday, and, as it is then too
late to consider any of the trails, the most acceptable way of
utilizing the time is to take the carriage drive around the Valley
meadows, a trip of about sixteen miles.

GLACIER POINT VIA THE FALLS ^^'^ ^rip that yields the most

m variety and grandeur is that
to Glacier Point by way of Vernal and Nevada Falls and return
by the direct trail under the brow of the Sentinel. It presents
a great number of striking features and reveals the Valley. The
start is usually about 7 o'clock, in wagons, in time to reach
JMirror Lake by sunrise. Then return a half mile or so to the
foot of the Anderson trail, where saddle animals are in waiting
for the exhilarating climb. The return trail leads down the
west side of Glacier Point to the Valley floor a mile west of
Sentinel Hotel.

A very pleasant arrangement for those who have time is to
remain over night at the Glacier Point Hotel and take the trail
to the summit of Sentinel Dome before returning the next day.
Another good plan is to make all other trips in the Valley first
and reserve the Glacier Point trip to the last, taking the stage
from the summit homeward.

POHONO TRAIL J.^ ^^^^^ p°"1;i ^rr^S' 1?°^"^ "''n ^^'' p^""^!'
Dome to Profile Cliff, Fissures, Dewey Point,

Crocker Point, Stanford Point and Old Inspiration Point, skirt-
ing the south rim of the Valley to Fort Monroe.
EAGLE PEAK ^^^ ^^'^^ most important trip is the trail to
Eagle Peak and is about seven and a half miles
one way. It is a full day's journey. The altitude exceeds that

29

Big Tree Wawona, Mariposa Grove.

of Glacier Point by several hundred feet, but the views are not
quite so commanding. The falls are in full view from the trail
only occasionally.

riOUDS' REST ^^^^^ ^^^P ^° Clouds' Rest, though a hard day's
work, is popular, and is included in the ma-
jority of tours when time will permit. It is eleven miles one
way and includes the Anderson trail to the top of Nevada Falls.

n-ruco TniiDQ The lighter and easier tours are to Mirror
OTMtK lUUKS ^^^^^ -^^ppy jgj^^^ Vernal and Nevada Falls,

or the top of Lower Yosemite.

WHAT TO CARRY ^^^^^ pounds free baggage allowed on the
stage. Take for your own comfort few
extras and let them be for use. Wraps will be necessary and
ladies will need a light and a heavy suit, as morning and evening
air is apt to be cool. A duster and a soft hat are convenient for
staging. A riding-suit for ladies, adapted to the trail, a pair of
strong walking-shoes and a pair of leggins are desirable. If
much climbing is to be done, shoes should be hobnailed. A small
field glass or a pair of opera glasses will occasionally be useful.
Your own toilet articles reduce to a minimum. Laundry work
can be done quickly to order while in the Valley.

HOTELS AND CAMPS ^he accommodations in the Valley are
ample. Ihe Sentmel Hotel, with its
main building, annex and cottages, affords excellent entertain-
ment, ranging from $3 to $4 a day. The camp auxiliary gives
almost as good accommodations for $2 a day, or $12 a week.
Camp Curry provides abundant comforts for $2 a day. Camp
Yosemite is at the foot of Yosemite Falls. Camp Glacier ad-
joining Glacier Point Hotel. Camp Wawona is at the Hotel
Wawona. Rates at all camps $2 per day.

The tents of the camps vary in size to accommodate one or
more persons and are fitted with carpets, spring and wool mat-
tresses and plenty of bedding.

Trained saddle-horses may be hired for from $2.50 to $4,
according to trip ; guide, $3 a day. These rates are fixed by
the State and visitors need not fear imposition.

Via Raymond and Wawona.

Tuc DccT DniiTc By rail of the Southern Pacific to Ray-
THE BEST ROUTE ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ Yosemite

Stage & Turnpike Co., thirty-nine miles to Wawona, thence
twenty-six miles to the Valley. This is probably the most ex-
tensive stage system in the West and is celebrated for its superior
facilities and splendid management.

Thirty miles of this road have all been oiled, the remainder
of the distance well sprinkled with water during the dry and
dusty periods, thus forming the most perfect stage road known.

Visitors arrive at Raymond in a sleeping-car early in the
morning and leave about 7 oclock on the stage, taking lunch
at Ahwahnee, a fine half-way house situated in one of the
prettiest of mountain meadows. Wawona, one of the largest and
best known mountain resorts in the West, also under the stage
company's management, is reached about 6 p. m.^ and a halt is
called for the night. The journey is continued the following
morning and Yosemite reached at noon. A special stage leaves
Raymond at 6 a. m. and arrives at Yosemite at 6 p. m. This is
for the convenience of those whose time is limited.

It should be noted that this is the only route which includes
the Mariposa, the finest grove of Big Trees, and Wawona, by far
the best hotel in the mountains. The oiled road, the comfort-
able coaches and the superb scenery make this route the first
choice. It is, too, the only route which offers a view of the
Valley from Inspiration and Artist's Points, and which brings
the visitor out at will via Glacier Point.

Meals en route cost fifty cents.

WAWONA HOTEL V ,''\^'^' }^i''^'- were lacking, this mountain
hotel and Mariposa Grove would make the
Raymond route preeminent. The location is well-nigh ideal :
a graceful indentation in the giant hills, with mountain meadow,
crystal trout stream, several dainty lakes, ice-cold springs, the
tumbling Chilnualna Falls roaring down 2000 feet with foam and
spray, the whole framed by lofty peaks and noble forest trees, it
is "beautiful for situation." Many visitors stop here for days
and weeks every season, and experienced travelers find no place
more beautiful, restful and refreshing. It is widely noted as one
of the most popular mountain resorts in the West.

Oil the stage route to and from Yosemite visitors can plan to
stay as long as they wish, and then be taken on their way. The
elevation is about 4500 feet, and from June to October the air is
like the rarest Indian summer, while ferns, azaleas, Washington
and Mariposa lilies, and a whole kingdom of wild flowers diffuse
aromas and spread opulent colors of many kinds.

As a point from which to study the Big Trees, or a resting-
place from which to visit them, this delightful hotel is very
convenient. By trail the distance is easily covered on foot and a
quiet day among the great trees is full of enjoyment.
piiRi irATinN^ I" addition to this descriptive booklet the

KUBLiUAiiuwa Southern Pacific publishes a beautiful souve-

nir album of views of the Yosemite, which will be sent upon
application for ten cents. A folder is also issued, giving the
round-trip rates from principal points to the Yosemite, including
five and ten days' accommodations at the camps, and the time
of trains and stage coaches. As time schedules are always sub-
ject to change, the latest issue should be consulted before taking
the trip.

A. 189. (3-27-05-25 M.)

SOUTHERN PACIFIC PUBLICATIONS

The following books, descriptive of the different sections of country named,
have been prepared with great care from notes and data gathered by local
agents with a special eye to fulness and accuracy. They are up-to-date hand-
books, about five by seven inches in size, profusely illustrated from the best
photographs, and form a series invaluable to the tourist, the settler and the
investor. They will be sent to any address, postage paid, on receipt of ten
cents each, twenty-five cents for three, or thirty cents for the four first named
California books :
The Sacramento Valley of California, The Coast Country of California, 128

112 pages. pages.

The San Joaquin Valley of California, California South of Tehachapi, 104

112 pages. pages.

Yosemite Valley Booklet, 32 pages,

5x7, 5 cents.

The New Arizona, 48 pages, ixlVz in.,
5 cents.

The New Nevada, 56 pages, 4x7i^ in.,
5 cents. (New edition in prepara-
tion.)

Big Tree Booklet, 20 pages, 7x10 inch,
10 cents.

Luther Burbank, by Edward J. Wick-
son, 48 pages, 7x10 in., 10 cents.

Yosemite National Park Album, 3G
pages, 7x51/^, 10 cents.

Wayside Notes Along the Sunset
Route, 88 pages, 5x7, 5 cents.

The following publications, most of which are profusely illustrated, will be
sent free of charge, but one cent for each in stamps should be enclosed for
postage :

Big Tree Folder.

Big Tree Primer.

California Climatic Map, folder.

California in Miniature, folder.

California's Netherlands.

Coast Line Resorts, folder.

Del Monte Folder.

Del Monte Golf.

Eat California Fruit.

Giant Forest Folder.

Hotels and Resorts, 28 pages.

Kings River Canyon, folder.

Lake Tahoe Resort, folder.

Land of Opportunity, by A. J. Wells.

New Santa Cruz, folder.

Orange Primer.

Oregon Map, folder.

Oregon, Washington, Idaho.

Outdoor Life in California.

Pacific Grove, booklet.

Plea for the Old California Names.

Prune Primer.

Reclamation of Nevada.

Roads of Paso Robles.

Settlers' Primer.

Shasta Resorts, folder.

Side-Trip Excursions.

Yosemite Valley, folder.

Requests should be addressed to ADVERTISING BUREAU, SOUTH-
ERN PACIFIC, 907 Merchants' Exchange Building, San Francisco, Cal.

CHAS. S. Fee,

Passenger Traffic Manager.

T.

S. GOODMAN,

General Passenger Agent.

SUNSET

LIBRflRY OF CONGRESS

Tells or Califoeniaand the Mb West

Thoroughly up to date Ten cents a copy

For sale by Newsdealers One Dollar a year

Send for Sample copy

A-RTiSTic Pictures on Every Page,

Published E>>r
\San Fraocisco. Caliromia.