New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-22
VALLEY or THE -SEMITY AND ITS
STUPENDOUS WATERFALLS.

The Mariposa California; Gazette has published a
CONN unication from Mr.. j. NJ. Huchings, who WIS.
tied this valley in company with Mesers. Ayres ahd
Milard, two ceatlemen belonging TO San Francisco,
and Mr. Stair Of Coulterville. Assuming that these
gentlemen are known 10 the editors Of The Mariposa
Gazee and that the account is therefore reliable, we
cannot but regard with wonder and admiration the
scenery described. The party appears TO have star ed
from an Indian village on the Fresno with two Indian
guides, and the writer says:
"From Mr. Hunts store we kept an east-of-north
course up the divide between the Fresno aud Chow-
cbilab valleys; thence descending toward the south
fork of the MERGED river and winding around very
rocky point we climbed nearly TO the ridge OF the
middle or main fork Of the MERGED, ard, descending
toward the Yo-Semity valley. came upon high point
ce ar Of trees whence had Ist view OF this sin
gular OF romantic valley and as the scene opened IN
full view before us, were almost spec; chess with
admiration at its wild and sublime grandeur.
"On the north side stands a bold perpendicular
mountain of granite, shaped like an immense tower.
It's lofty top is covered with great pines that in the
distance seem but shrubs. Our Indian guides called
this the Captain. II measures from the valley to Its
summit two thousand eight hundied feet.
Just opposite this on the south sce oil tue valley
our attention as attr acted by magnificent waterfall
about seven hundred feet in hight Ii looked like a
long broad feather OF silver depending over precpoe
and as this feathery tail Of eaPOg spray thus hung,
sight breeze moved il from side 10 side, and as the
last RAYS of the setting tineng 1t with ram
bow hues the red would mix with the purpe, and the
purple with tho yellow, and the yellow with the green
and the green with the slvery seeen OF s "nitenou
foam as IL danced in space!
Passing further up the valley, we were struck
with the awful grandeur Of the immense mountains
on either side, some perpendicular and some nttie
sopipg One ooks like light house, another Like
giant capital of immense Dimensions; all are singular
and sur1nounted by pines.
awe crossed the river and, still advancing up the
valley. turned point and before was an indescnb
able sieht-a waterfall two thousand two hundred feet
in hight tho highest in the world 1t PUSHES over the
cliffs, and, with one bold leap, falls one thousand two
hunored feet, then second of five hundred feet then
third of over five hundred feet; the three leaps
making two thousand two hundred feet
"Stsnding upon the opposite side of the valley AM
looking at the tall pines below, the great hight OF
these falls can at glance be comprehended.
About ten miles from the lower end of the valley
there is another fall of not less than fifteen hundred
feet. This, with smaller falls and lake mark the
head of the Yo-Semity valley, which L. therefore,
about ten mites in length and from half TO one mile
in widtn Although there is good land enough for
several farms it cannot be considered upon the whole
as good farming valley; but srecked trout, grouse,
and pigeons are plentiful"