Most charmingly scenic of all trans-Sierran routes is the historic old ~Tioga Road~. Built by Chinese labor in 1881 to transport ore from the Tioga Mine (near Mono Lake) across the Sierra to the San Joaquin Valley, it soon fell into decay when the venture was abandoned. In 1915 the road was purchased by a group of public-spirited citizens and presented to the government. Since being well repaired it makes Yosemite accessible from the east and opens up the wonderfully fine camping country of the High Sierra to the automobile tourist. Hundreds of motorists take this exceptionally scenic short-cut to Lake Tahoe. In normal years the road opens July 15th and closes September 30th. Detailed information may be obtained from the "Circular of General Information regarding Yosemite National Park," or at the Motorists' Information Bureau in Yosemite Village. The first twenty-three miles of the following trip describes the Big Oak Flat Road as far as Carl Inn, and should be of use to auto parties leaving the park by that route. From Yosemite we may follow either the ~Bridalveil~ or the ~El Capitan Road~ westward. At El Capitan Bridge, four miles west of the village, the ~Big Oak Flat~ road turns abruptly northward. All machines should be registered at the nearby checking station. For safety, the park regulations permit the ascent on even hours only and at a speed of not more than twelve miles per hour. Gradually mounting the talus slope of the rough canyon side, we emerge 1200 feet above the valley floor at ~New Inspiration Point~ from which is our last comprehensive view of the ~Gates of the Valley~. The outlook, although scenically not as perfect as that from the Wawona Road, is nevertheless quite attractive, for the depths below when viewed from this point seem almost always to be permeated by a transparent blue haze. Near the top of the steady four-mile climb is ~Gentry Checking Station~, where motorists should again register. This is a possible camp for motorists but rather a poor location. One-half mile further is the "Gentry Townsite," laid out about 1914, and beyond, the site of the old Gentry Sawmill. There are here a few good places for auto camps. Water will be found at a spring above the road. ~Cascade Creek~ is crossed a short distance northward. The crossing offers no good camp sites. Fishing is fair. The short steep grade beyond the bridge is known locally as "Fords' Rest." We now ascend ~Lilly Creek~ to the crossing about half a mile above. Here the blazes of the old ~Mono Trail~ may be seen at the left leading down to a point on the rim of the canyon about three miles distant, where was once the terminus of the Coulterville Road. In the early days this was one of the chief routes used by the Indians and cattlemen.