San Andreas independent., 1857-06-27


BASALTIC CLIFF
(on the North Fork of the Stanislaus.
YNIlE PROPRIETOR of the MAMMOTH
Il TREE GROVE, begs leave to inform
the travelling public that he is now prepared to
furnish the best OF accommodations to visitors
and others, at reasonable prices. Every thinu
Is prepared, and every arrangement made to
ensure the comfort and facilitate the amuse-
ment of those who may choose to visit for
health or recreation, those greatest wonders of
the word-the Big Trees of California-duriny
the present summer and coming autumn New
roads have been opened and old ones improved
in every direction, so as to afford the pleasure
seeker an excellent drive either by moonlight
or daylight through an endless copsc of living
green, and interminable forests of sugar-pine
which clothe in sombre habiliments the noun
tain SUBMITS of the Sierra Nevadas. The see
merry is bold, grand and magnificent; mighty
as are the giant pines, those primeval monarchs
of the forest fabulous as may appear the we'll
authenticated stories of their great size and
extraordinary as are the particulars describing
them, yet on seeing their huge proportions, the
wonder-struck behoder is impressed that the
largest story did not exceed the truth. The
trees are situated in an exceedingly lovely To-
calty, within fifteen miles (by good carriage
road) OF the town of Murphy's. This beautiful
village is situated in the county of Calaveras,
and is the most eastern camp in the county.
and in fact in the State, located at the termna-
tion of the Big Tree Road
An Express will leave morning and evening
for the town OF Murphys, where are mail routes
and telegraph lines, connecting with all parts
of the State. The Big Tree Immigrant Route
passes directly through the Mammoth Tree
Grove-being centrally situated, as the follow
ing table of distances will show:
From Columbia to Murphy's, miles
Do Sonora 4" II
Do Mok Hill " 23
Do San Andreas" Is
Do Big Tree g Is
Thus 1t will be seen the locality of this great
est living wonder of the world, is almost within
the centre of our principal richest mining
camps. 1t is chosen spot, where, during the
summer months, thousands from the Cities and
the Plains of California can meet for relaxation
from the dust and turmoil of the crowded
thorOughfareS, - the parched plains, and the
cares from business. The air of quiet serenity
in which the whole landscape reposes, (dis-
turbcd only by the moaning pines or the distant
laughing shout of the leaping water fall,) in
those, who, for so many months of the year,
are crcums.ribed by high walls Of brick and
stone, that reflect only the glare and heat of
the burning sum- and who are compelled to
breathe so long the confined air of the Babel
around them. No wonder the weary votary of
care, and mammon, and pleasure, is glad to
throw off the thraldom of business and city life
and inhalc for while, once more the balmy air
of mountain forests, redolent with the sweets
ofnature's choicest aromatics. These mountain
and suburban retreats are inviting oasis i'll
the track of human care ; and glorious restora-
tiycs to the worn and exhausted energies, so Sc
verely taskcd in the eager pursuits of life. The
proximity of such an Eden of beauties and won
dcrs to the great business world, congregated
in the cities, and plains, and mines of Califor-
MIA must be source of satisfaction. Of the
advantages of the locality of the Big Trees, we
would add word: The surface of the noun
tain is gently undulating and agreeably diverSi-
fed with fruits, and flowers, and evergreen
shrubbery the soil is rich, and generally good
for cultvation while it has the advantage of
nearness to the mines for market, for such
produce as MAY be raised. Mountain streams
abound filled with brook trout) in the valleys,
while game, wild fruit, and thousand other
rare and choice blessings adorn the hill-sdes
on every mountain peak fine prospect may be
fort to attain it, embracing the wide and deep
expanse, speaking from the mountains to the
sea "a scene extremely grand and beautiful
here exhausted natures sweet restorer," q
pure atmosphere, tempered with an all-exhilera-
ting breeze, freshly waiting the richest treasures
Of eternal snow-fieds, furnishes a soothing re-
treat from the perils and yicissitudes of bust
ness life, where many Il care-worn wOrn-out
wight may find all that is needed to recuperate
the inward man and the outward estate. One
can hardly look on the map pictured below and
feel g that American scenery is altogether mo-
notonous," as has sometimes been said.
The expanse of forest is spread out IN the
background, cnlvened here and there with
mountain streams, water bitches, saw-mills,
railroads, and all the paraphernala of pro-
gressive and enterprising people; while, anon,
rising hills, rearing noble forests of
sugar-pine that gently ascend from the road,
furnishing alike a landmark and n protection
to the tribe of migratory Digger Indians en-
campe6 at the base. Embosomed in the foil
age skirting the road and the margin of the
Union Water Company's Ditch is pleasant
landscape, in the fore ground, which forms
picture varied enough to captivate any eye
But on these ever enduring and renewing beau
ties, it is useless to dwell, to be appreciated,
they must be seen.
The Big Tree Hotel is situated at the western
end of the valley and the grove it is fine, ca
pacious building, supplied with all the market
affords-equal to the best hotels in the State.
The table will always be provided with the
best. Sleeping apartments Sufficient to furnish
accommodations for sixteen ladies) are always