Seeing the West: Suggestions for the Westbound TravellerDumbell, K. E. M. (Kate Ethel Mary)
History
Seeing the West: Suggestions for the Westbound Traveller
Dumbell, K. E. M. (Kate Ethel Mary)
West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
Of all the falls, the one called, like the valley, Yosemite, is the
finest. It is the highest known fall of its volume. The waters dash down
one half mile. The fall is in three sections, but appears all one at a
distance. In the early spring, when the volume is greatest, the booming
of the waters is deafening and the force with which it strikes the
ground shakes windows one mile away.
From Yosemite Point, the crest above the falls, the view is magnificent,
but for the full effect of this fall one should walk to the foot and
look up; the sensation received will not soon be forgotten.
The flora and fauna are enchanting. There are scores of varieties of
wild flowers, shrubs, ferns, etc. To those interested in the botany of
the valley, “Yosemite Flora,” issued by the Department of Botany,
University of California, will be of great value.
Camping in the Yosemite is more popular than life in the hotels, the
camps are provided with all the necessary comforts. Full particulars can
be had by writing to the Sentinel Hotel, Camp Curry, Camp Lost Arrow, or
Camp Awahnee.
Before leaving the valley the Lower Drive must surely be taken by those
who have not had time to take the trip on foot. The valley is so small
that the floor can be pretty thoroughly explored (as far as mere
sight-seeing goes) in a single drive, and it is most pleasing to carry
away with us a picture of this green spot, starred over with the lovely
wild flowers; it is like an oasis in a desert. The trip up the trail on
the morrow, leading over the bare, brown face of rocky cliffs, will have
amid the white of the everlasting snows and the sparkling of the
sunlight in the various falls, only the occasional appearing and
disappearing of this emerald valley threaded by the silver stream of the
Merced to give it colour. The climb to Glacier Point is made
cross-saddle only, and the traveller who has gone out unprepared can
rent a skirt by making known her want when she engages her horse or
mule. But before starting on this trip which is to take the traveller
out of the valley, I must mention the drive to the lovely Tenaya Canyon
and Mirror Lake. This is usually taken in the early morning, in time to
see the sunrise, and fully does it repay one; those planning to take the
Glacier Point Trail usually start this way and from here pass Cathedral
Rocks, Clouds’ Rest, etc., to where the horses are waiting for the
start. Glacier Point is 7,297 feet above sea level, and between 3,000
and 4,000 feet above the valley. The trail winds up the east end of the
valley, past the foot of the beautiful Vernal Falls, and up, up, over
the top, past the splendid Nevada Falls and again over the top,
zigzagging back and forth, on every turn new views greeting the sight.
Liberty Cap and Mount Star King, as seen from the point on this trail
known as Panorama View, 4,000 feet above the valley, are more impressive
than words can tell.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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