Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-23
[BY REQUEsT.l
A Trip to the Yosemite Falls.

fat the request Of numerous friends republish th
account of trip to these great wonders Of Nature writer
by us last year and published In the DrnocRaT-tDl
We acknowledge our inability to convey
even faint idea of the accumulated mass o.
grandeur and oyelness that gradually unfolds
itself to the startled gaze of the eager traveller
Even now with feelings Of awe and veneratior
we recall the gorgeous array of the vast and
wonderful combined in this superb display oi
the beautiful and sublime. The hand is not
yet formed that, with pen pencil, or brush,
can portray even reflection Of the excessive
majesty of aspect that prominently fronts the
vision of the shrinking visitor. We travel to
foreign climes to obtain sight of what trav-
mountains or rivers-or landscapes amid the
Alps of Switzerland or the valleys of Italy.
We eagerly seek after books wherein some
novice traveller has magniiied the sight-seeings
of Europe, many of which possess no wonder
ful attributes of greatness, save in the mind of
the traveller, that will compare with the scenery,
separately or IN whole, Of the Yosemite Valley.
We came suddenly, abruptly in view of
the Valley; and then commenced our descent
of the mountain, following narrow and wind
/ ing trail until we reached the plain below
There was no danger in our path, and if there
had been, we would not have regarded it. for
our eyes were riveted upon the scenery that
was imperceptibly spreading and brightning as
we descended the trail A little way from
the top Of where we began to go down the
mountain, stands pine tree, opposite to
very large bold rock. On this tree you will
find sign or blaze. This mark was placed
there by Mr.. Peterson, the Engineer of the
Mariposa and Yosemite Water Company. 1t
defines the height of the first Falls visible from
this point and which appears, at this distance
off, like white ribbon hung over a precpice.
There was a break in the timber before us,
which afforded a full view of the Valley. We
hope no one will attribute to us designing mo-
tives, to draw travel through this county, or
treat our description Of the Valley as the raw
ings of wild enthusiast, because we have
no other object in view than to make known
to those afar of, who may have never heard of
this Valley, what wilderness of majestic beau
ty they have yet to explore within the limits
Of our own State.
As though the enchantress Of the woods had
suddenly waived her magic wand DER the
mountains, was this fairy scenery opened to
our view. Thrilling sensations of awe perva-
ded our senses, which, as we approached, grad
ually subsided into pleasurablc emotions Of
wonder and delight, similar to those produced
upon the soul by distant music echoing amid
the hills and valleys in the quiet hours of mid
night Through the blue haze that fingered
DER the scene we traced the bold outlines Of
the towering peaks of the distant range of the
Sierra Nevada; while before us, or rather be-
meath us, spread the verdant Valley of the Yo-
semitic, encased in lofty and picturesque walls
of granite, and fertilized by the transparent
waters of the Middle Fork of the Merced River.
As we approached, the blue haze grew fainter
and thinner, seeming to fade from the rocks
we neared, only to thicken in density on the
more distant submits, that ever and anon
were opening to our gaze. vainly, with atten-
tive mind, we endeavored to catch the first
sound of animated nature. We saw the cas-
cade eaping from its precipitous terminus into
the depths below. We knew that tho river
was flowing beneath us. Yet we heard not
the voice Of either flushed was the cooing Of
the grouse, and still was the moan the turtle
dove. The spell of silence was flung DER
stream and hill and we appeared like intruders
into the realm Of Natures secret repose. In
contemplating the grandeur Of the scene, the
imagination recos back upon ITSELF content to
follow the reach of vision, completely paralyz-
ed by the magnitude of the expanding vista
Down, down we 60, twisting, winding with the
path, until we reach the meadow below. And
now we first hear the gentle roar Of the river,
and feel the freshening breeze of the Valley.
Glorious Spring was here, quckening Nature
with her smiling presence, and lullng her to
repose with her sportive zephyrs, signing
through the trees; while around, above, and
before us-anywhcre and everywhere-was
written the majesty of God; and our hearts
bowed in all humility to the magnitude of his
greatness. Change, the handmaid of Time,
was most impressively visible on the face of
the stupendous precpices, and by the crum-
bling ruins scattered near their base When
first entering the Valley, the mind becomes
stupified by the immensely of the grandness
to which it is opposed. Soon it begins to ad-
mire points of beauty in the rocks, or in the