At this point--twelve miles from Yosemite and five and a half miles from Glacier Point--the ~Merced Pass Trail~ turns eastward, following for ten miles up the main stream of the Illilouette and keeping always within a short distance of its north bank. Gradually ascending to an elevation of 9295 feet, we traverse ~Merced Pass~. To the right is the long ridge of ~Buena Vista Crest~ (Alt. 9712). A descent of 600 feet in the next two miles takes us to ~Moraine Meadows~. This is a splendid camping region with abundant horse-feed and good fishing. Nearby will be found a summer ranger outpost. A trail to the east leads to ~Fernandez Pass~ and the headwaters of the ~San Joaquin~; one to the southeast to ~Chain o' Lakes~, where is most excellent fishing; and one to the west to ~Royal Arch~, ~Johnson~, ~Crescent~ and ~Grouse Lakes~ and ~Chilnualna Falls~. TRAIL TRIP 24 WAWONA ROAD TO EL PORTAL _via_ THE SUNSET TRAIL (4 miles--1-1/2 hours) This is a cut-off trail widely used by the Park Rangers in their winter patrols but seldom used by the public. Starting from the ~Wawona Road~ one and a half miles northwest of ~Chinquapin~, the trail runs down the ridge on the north side of ~Indian Creek~. Swinging to the north, the trail passes just west of ~Lookout Point~, from which is a fine view down the canyon of the Merced. Bearing to the right, it descends to ~Avalanche Creek~, where it passes just below ~Cougar Falls~. The trail then zigzags down the canyon wall to the midwinter ranger station and trail bridge across the ~Merced River~, joining the ~El Portal Road~, about three miles above El Portal. TRAIL TRIP 25 WAWONA ROAD TO EL PORTAL _via_ THE HENNESSY TRAIL (10 miles--4 hours) The ~Hennessy Trail~ is no longer used by the public since the bridge across the Merced at its lower end was washed away in 1917. Use the Sunset Trail (Trail Trip 24). [Illustration: Map of Yosemite Valley And Adjacent Region From U.S.G.S. Topographic Map of Yosemite National Park SCALE · 1 inch = 2 Miles Contour Interval 100 Feet] SUNSET PUBLISHING HOUSE, SAN FRANCISCO End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Guide to Yosemite, by Ansel Hall