Columbia gazette., 1854-09-30
For ne Columbia Gazette.
TRIP TO MAMMOTH TREE
GROVE.

.'Ais ILNitOI
Agreeably to my promise, I win give
you brief account Of my visit to the Big
Tree
On Tuesday, the 10th inst. our COM
pany left Columbia, at A. NJ, crossed
the Stanislaus River at Abbey's Ferry,
and arrived at Murphy's by way of Val
lecito, about IL O'Clock. Stopped at
the Miners Home, where we were served
with most excellent dinner, and re-
manned until about 2, Pm. We then
left for the Big Tree, situated about l6
miles from Murphy's, in N. E. direc-
tiou, on an altitude of 1850 #. above
San Francisco, and 2,4OO fl. above
Murphy's. We found the road quite
good, and many miles of it extending
through dense groves of pine; affording
us protection from the burning rays of
the sun, and adding much to the pleas
ure Of our mountain ride, as we'll as the
beauty and grandeur Of the scenery.
The wild deer bounded across tn, road
and hid himself in the more retired re-
cesscs OF his mountain home, as the clat-
tcring o! the horses' feet aroused him
from his lair; and the sweet notes of
favo'ite melodies, sung by our ladies,
resounding through the forest, seemed
tor moment to charm him, until the
near approach of our company would
again cause him to. bound away, to our
very great amusement. We arrived at
the Big Tree, just as the sun was disap-
pearing behind cluster of stately pines
In the distance. We found the arrange
meIts for the entertainment and comfort
OF visitors, ample and satisfactory. !"
After sweet and refreshing sleep, a
new day dawned upon us; and We pre-
pared ourselves for ran,ble among the
Giants of the forest; and under the escort
OF MIR. Lapham, commenced our exam
ination of Mammoth Tree Grove; which
contains in its valley, IS monster trees,
in an area fifty acres.
The "Big Tree" (by which mean
the one cut down. is not the largest in
the grove; but is the largest perfect tree,
and is ninety-cour feet in circumference,
and measured after it was fallen, 800 #
in length: the stump stands eight feet
high, and at that height is Is feet in d.
amcter, the bark having been taken off
when che tree was cut down, and which,
l was informed, was three feet in thick
ness. Around this stump, an arbor has
been placed, seats erected, and the stump
used for dancing floor. This tree has
been estimated by the grains Of the stump
to be 5000 years cid. 1t required FIVE
men 25 days to fall the tree, which was
done by boring,) and three weeks to
strip it Of its bark to the height of fifty
two feet. After an examination Of the
Big Tree, We started on what is demon
mated the upper trail; and the first tree
to which our attention was specially d.
rected, is denominated the "lMiner's
Cabin" and is about so feet in circum-
ference, and nearly 300 feet high; it
tapers up regularly from the extreme
base, to the top of the Cabin, (about 40
feet, and is open in front about z feet.
The I'd, "1He Three Sisters" is a
group which has evidently grown from
the same roots, and are about 800 feet
high, and together, measure 90 feet in
circumference: they are perfect trees,
and the most beautiful group in the grove.
1t is 200 feet to the 6rst limb Of the CEN
ire tree.
Bird, 1.-THE Pioneer Cabin" is about
$50 feet high; the top is broken off, and
there is small opening through it.
4th, "IHe Old Bachelor;" forlorn
looking old gentleman, having many
rents in his outside garment, which is
the toughest and poorest garb, worn by
any Of his family; he is nearly 800 feet
high, and about so in circumference.
5th, "7He Hermit" stands solitary
and alone, at some distance from the
rest of its brethren; is 800 feet high, and
seventy-fve feet in circumference;
is exceedingly straight, regular and sy-
metrical.
9th, Hercules" is $50 feet high, and
l07 feet in circumference, and is the larg
lest standing tree in the grove; and
would make C1,l95,OOO) one million,
one hundred, and twenty-five thousand
feet of lumber. Like many of the other
large trees, it is imperfect, being burned
on one side.
I'll" The Husband and Wife, are
about $50 feet high, and each so feet
in circumference: they seem quite affec-
tionate, inclining their heads towards
each other.
9Th, The Family Grsmp;" consists of |
26 trees: the Father, Mother, and "a |
large children. The Father from ap-
pcalance, was blown down many years !