San Andreas independent., 1857-05-02
MAMMOTH TREE GROVE.

MAMMOTH TREE GROVE.
THIS GIGANTIC FOREST is situated in small valley at
the of one Of the tributaries Of the Caavers River
Caaveras county California
Arriving at Murphys by of the daily line Of stages
either from Sacramento City Stockton, Messrs Dillon
Co.'s Line makes the trip, from Stockton to Murphy
through by have reduced the fare to $1o
and increased the speed and facilities the route or by
the Sonora coach, the traveller finds himself within 10
miles of this celebrated grove Here animals vehicles
can be procured at all times and at reasonable rates
Leaving Murphys by excellent carriage road, and
gradually ascending winding through splendid forest Of
Pines Cedars and FRS with occasional Oaks often catch
Mammoth Tree Hotel is reached in two and half three
hours Here the Proprietor Mr. A. Smith Haynes, offers
every accommodation to parties visitors or boarders at
reasonable charges being the aim to make the grove
fashionable and popular place of resort
The valley in which these trees found contains about
one hundred and sixty ofand and estimated to be
1000 feet above the level of the The distance from
Sacramento City by the Stage 90 miles and from
Stockton 65 miles.
NINETY TWO TREES of tlis species are now stand
ing and all found within of fifty of the
valley They are evidently gigantic species of Cedar,
Botanss however they belong to the family of Taxod
ums," and Lave been justly named the WAsHISGToNIA
GIGANTIA and are beyond doubt the most stupendous
vegetable products earth They discovered early
in 1850 by hunters whose considered fabu
lous until confirmed by actual measurement. William w.
Lapham lone of the recent propetos located and settled
here. in july 1853. The valley enjoys delightful eli
mate during the months entirely free from the
scorching heats of the lower country the vegetation
naming fresh and green while the water is perfect lux
ury pure crystal and almost cold ice The vicinity
offers every inducement to sportsmen all kinds Of game
common the country abound while the dacen streams
afford excellent Trout fishing Delightful horseback
buggy rides conduct the visitor to many interesting points
of scenery objects of curiosity among which may be
mentioned the Falls of the San Antone and the Basaltic
Cliff on the North Fork of the Staaislaus River.
Adjoining the Hotel, with which it is connected by
floor stands the stump of the BIC TREE* covered by
rustic arbo; it ninety six feet in circumf renee
and is feet high; section of two feet taken
from this stump also section of the bark fifty feet long
bV ord, exhibit
ton; they in Paris The surface Of the stump is
smooth and affords ample for hiry-two persons to
dance it being seventyve feet in circumference solid
timber. Theatrical performances have also been given
upon it in May 1885, aud also July Of the year
This monster Tree cut down by boring with augus
and saving the spaces between 1t required the labor of
five twenty-five days to effect its fall the tree stand
ing nearly perpendicular that wedge aud batering
necessary to its fall after being cut fully
off, Adjoining the stump lies section of the trunk =
this is twenty-five feet In diameter and twenty feet long
beyond lies the immense trunk it fell measuring three
hundred and two feet from the base of the stump to its
tremty. Upon this is situated the Billiard Saloon, Bar
Room and Ten Pin Alley stretching along its upper surface
for distance of eighty feet afordng ample space for
two alley beds, side by side.
Leaving the Hotel let walk into the forest by the up
per rai ride for the road has been opened
to permit vehicle to pass struck with
astonishment at the magnitude of the trees and passing
several immense ones: reach the Miners Cabins
This tree eighty feet in circumference and is
about three hundred feet in height the "Cabin burnt
cavity measures seventeen feet its entrance and
tends upward forty feet.
Continuing rambe, admiring the luxuriant growth
OF under-hrush consisting OF young Ers, Cedars, Dog
wood ana Hazle we reach the "Three Graces;* these
most beautiful group in the forest towering side by side
to the height of two hundred and ninety feet apering
symmetricay from their base upward their united cir
cumference amounts to ninetytwo feet is two hun
dred feet to the first limb on the middle tree
The Pioneers Cabins Is the next tree that arrests
attention. rising to the height of hundred and fifty feet
the top having been broken off, this tree measures thirty
three feet in diameter.
Continuing the walk reach rlorn looking tree hay
wit hal he most eiv-
looking individual in the forest this is the "Old Bache
or he is three hundred feet high and sixty feet in cir
cumerence The next tree is the Mother of the Forest
This magnificent tree rises to the height of three hundred
and twenyseven feet and ninety feetin circumference
Inc seaodng by which the bark reached and taken
on is also seen in the view This tree stripped of its
bark to the height of hundred and twenty feet in the
spring of 1854 by Mr. George Gae requiring the labor
nve men ninety days. during this time person fell from
the staging hundred feet but fortunately escaped with
broken limb The tree is still green and fourshing
showing signs of decay. "
near the base OF the Father of tue Forest the
grand and beautiful beyond descriptions the venerable
at1er has long since bowed his head to the dust yet
how supendous even in his ruin he one hum
dred and twelve feet in circumference at the base and
can be traced three hundred feet where the trunk was
broken by falling against another tree; 1t here measures
eighteen feet in diameter and according to the average
taper OF the other trees this venerable Giant must have
been four hundred and fifty feet in height when standing
hollow chamber burnt cavity extends through the
trunk two hundred feet large enough for per son 10 rae
through; near its base neveraing spring OF water
rooted base the mind conceive ls prodgouS
dimensionsl while either hand tower his Glant sons
and daughters forming the most impressive scene In the
forest
Passing onward we reach the "Husband and Wife,
leaning afeconatey toward one another they are eacn
sixty feet in circumference and two hundred and fty
feet in height "Hercues of the most gigantic trees
in the whole forest stands leaning in our path this tree
like many others has been burned at the Is three
hundred and twenty feet high, and is ninety-seyen
feet in circumference this specimen would make seventy
five thousand five hundred feet of LUMBER upon the burnt
space near the base inscription j. Wooster Ju
1s5O supposed to been made by the discoverer Of
the grove. :,
served this tree straight and well proporioned meas
ures $40 feet high and sixty feet in circumference
Stll returning towards the hotel by the lower trail
mass the Mother and Son." which together, 90
feet in circumference the Mother 320 and the son.
hopeful youth of 800 feet The s'Siarese Twins and
Guardian form the next group; the Twins" have
trunk at the base separating at the height Of 40 feet
measuring 300 feet high the Guardian is so feet in cir
cumferenoe, and is 325 feet high Beyond, the "Old
Maid, stands slightly boughng In her lonely grief; she
measures so feet in circumference, and is $50 feet high
Two beautiful trees called "Adde and Mary" are the
next attention. measuring each 65 feet In cir
cumference and nearly 800 feet high The Horseback
Rides we reach next this is an old fallen trunk Of $50
feet in length followed out by the fires which have in davs
gone by ragged through the orest the cavity is s feet in