: Guide to Yosemite A handbook of the trails and roads of Yosemite valley and the adjacent region by Hall Ansel F Ansel Franklin - Yosemite Valley (Calif.) Guidebooks

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rn yellow pine in the park. During the flood waters of early spring, ~Sentinel Falls~ descend in a picturesque cascade at the western flank of the great obelisk.

Again continuing westward, we are treated to charming vistas across the Merced. Especially effective from this angle is the great triple pyramid of ~Three Brothers~ buttressing the north wall. Just opposite them on the banks of the river was Kis?-se, the westernmost of the large Indian villages on the south or "coyote" side of the valley. To the west a splendid profile of ~El Capitan~ is revealed and suddenly at the left of the road the ~Cathedral Spires~, each rising 500 feet from its base, seem to tower above the south rim. The Yosemites called the latter Po-see?-na Chuck?-ah, or "mouse-proof rocks," from a fancied resemblance to their acorn caches. A village just below them in a small meadow near the river was called We?-sum-meh.

We now skirt the powerfully outlined ~Cathedral Rocks~. At ~El Capitan Bridge~ one may cross to the north side of the river. Directly opposite is a ranger station at the foot of the ~Big Oak Flat Road~ . From that point the ~El Capitan Road~ leads both up and down the valley.

Continuing along the shaded highway, we veer to the south, passing close to the foot of ~Bridalveil Fall~, charming glimpses of which are here and there revealed between the trees. Just below a very large rock at the east margin of ~Bridalveil Creek~ is the site of the ancient village of Lem-me?-hitch?-ke. Perhaps the unspeakable awe with which the Yosemites were supposed to look upon Pohono, "the spirit of the evil wind," has been somewhat exaggerated in the past. A short subsidiary road turns to the left to the foot of the fall, a brief side trip which should be taken by all visitors.

A short drive now takes us to the junction with the ~Wawona Road~ which bears to the left at ~Bridalveil Checking Station~ and climbs thru the forests of the canyon-side. Turning to the right, we soon enter ~Bridalveil Meadow~. Near the river was once the Indian village of Sap-pah?-sam-mah. At the edge of the meadow, about 100 feet north of the road, a dense grove of oaks and pines shelters the graves of two pioneers, Rose and Shurban, who were massacred here by the Indians in 1852. The view back across the meadows towards the ~Gates of the Valley~ is one of the best from this elevation. At the left is the great shoulder of ~El Capitan~, with the ~Ribbon Fall~ almost hidden in a deep recess at its west. At the right of the portal the beautiful ~Bridalveil~ leaps gracefully from its hanging valley between ~Cathedral Rocks~ and the ~Leaning Tower~.

YOSEMITE TRAILS

For an ideal vacation-land, Yosemite could scarcely be surpassed. Of the 600 miles of trails in the park probably half are within two days walking distance of the valley. It is this portion of the park which is described in the following trail trips--the region which may be seen on walking tours from the valley as a base camp.

For the person whose days in Yosemite are limited, Glacier Point undoubtedly offers the most attractive one-day excursion. It is reached by a number of trails, chief of which are the beautiful Vernal and Nevada Falls Trail, the steep but thrilling climb up the narrow Ledge Trail, and the dusty, toilsome ascent of the Short Trail. Most thrilling of all Yosemite Trails is the ascent of Half Dome, made possible by the recent construction of a cable-guarded route up its north shoulder. Further northeastward is the commanding summit of Clouds Rest, a long one-day round trip, but well repaid by a magnificent panorama of the High Sierra. North of the Yosemite walls the most comprehensive views may be had from Eagle Peak. The top of North Dome is also a vantage point of the first order, but the round trip is a long one-day climb. The summit of El Capitan, although exceedingly lofty, is rather disappointing except for the view over its rim into the abyss below. Sierra Point is but one hour's climb above the valley and offers an especially good panorama.

Many ideal two-day walking trips from Yosemite are made possible by accommodations at the lodges in the High Sierra. Chief among these excursions are the trips to Lake Tenaya, Tuolumne Meadows and Merced Lake. Other charming trails are described in the following text.

TRAIL TRIP 1

Reverse of Trail Trip 2

If one were so time-poor as to have but one day in Yosemite, he should by all means climb to Glacier Point via Vernal and Nevada Falls and return via the Short Trail. This most scenic trip is easily made afoot in one day and should be taken as follows rather than in the opposite direction because one faces the falls in ascending, and the gradual ascent is less tiring. Early in the season it is a good plan to carry a sack or newspaper for protection while passing thru the mist of Vernal Falls.

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