San Andreas independent., 1858-09-11
For the Independent.
Notes OF a Trip to the Mountains.
con MOULDED.

fastening our animal to bush we paid that
place another visit, examining the caves-of
which there are some six or eight in number
in one of which we found the bones of a connie
OF horses, which had been driven there last
winter by the Indians. Several excellent
springs of cool water gush up from between
the rocks in these caves. The rock itself. is of
which pieces of charred wood may occasionally
be seen. We would here suggest to some of
the persons residing in that vicinity the pro-
priety of digging small receptacle for the
water, which could be done in less than half
an hour, and which would, doubtless, receive
the heartfelt thanks of all who make the as
cent from the ravine. Continuing along the
trail until We struck the wagon road lead
ing from Cave City to the Big Trees, which
we found In excellent condition far as COM
pleted. Shortly after passing large rock on
the left of the road, we came to the top of the
hill from which view can be had of the San
Antonio Falls. We kept on, however, intend
ing to have closer view, until we arrived at
SAS NAO@oAhO VI IAO kodA AutOulO, WHERE we
concluded to leave our pack animal, so that
we could visit the Falls situated about a mile
below. We then followed down the bed of
the creek, tearing through the thick tangled
underground in many places, until we arrived
at the Falls. The waters of the San Antonio
here rush over precipice of blue quartz
about sixty feet in height. A huge mass of
rock rises on either side like two giants placed
there to guard the Falls from the sacrilegious
hands of man. Large pieces of rock have fall
len around the base of the Falls, thus forming
a natural basin-the water, however, flowing
through the crevices between the rocks
Across the lower edge oft basin is large
log some fifty or sixty feet in length, near the
center of which is cut Technically called
carf,) similar to that made in cutting log in
two with axe, caused by the action of the
water constantly raising and lowering the log,
thus chafng it against the sharp angle of a
! large rock Immediately behind it. I have
been thus particular in describing this log, in
consequence of general report that there
were two falls, one of which was reputed to
be l30 feet in height and about two hundred
yards from another fall of sixty feet. Since
my return, | have conversed with friend,
who informs me that he had followed along
the bed of the creek from about mile below,
and that he had not seen any other fall as
large as the one described above)
Every person visiting this place, should take
view both from the top and bottom of the
Falls, as it is almost impossible to obtain a
full view otherwise The approach to the
Falls is rocky, and precipitous, and requires
steady eye and sure foot, or rough fall will
be the consequence, if not serious injury
The left hand bank will be found the easiest
to ascend, it affording much better foothold
than the opposite bank Having examined
the falls to our satisfaction, we clambered up
the hill, and meeting a young rattlesnake,
which from its attitude and warning, seemed
inclined to dispute our right of way we at
tackled him with switch, and despatched him
to that bourne from whence no snake returns
and continued on to our camp
Tuesday morning, August 18th. We left
the crossing of the San Antonio early this
morning, and proceeded on our road to the
Mammoth Tree Grove by the way of Sleeper;
Saw-mill where we remained short time ex.
amining the Mill. The fastenings of the saw
had broken, and the saw was twisted an(
curled like snake. The lumber manutac
tured here Is eyeellept az treac u-;tbout nr,,,
Der can be obtained from sixty to seventy fee
in height without limb, and from five to sil
feet in diameter. Continuing on our road
passing through dense forests of pine anC
cedar, arrived about 10 A NJ, at the Bis
Trees. After unpackng, we proceeded to ex
anime the famed stump and butt of big tree
which we found covered with names, and be-
ing anxious to distinguish ourselves, we Gu
ours in among the number. While looking
} over the names, the bell rang for dinner, whicl
was presided over by mine gentlemanly host A
S. Haynes, after having discussed which W,
strolled through the grove containing tn,
mighty giants of the forest These trees 20.
in number, the most of which are from 90 t,
35 feet in diameter and over 300 feet in height
are said to be by botanists, of heretofor,
unknown species of Taxodium, and which the,
have most appropriately termed the Wash
ingtonia Gigantea. Many of the trees hav,
received very apt names-as the +" Father o
the Forest" {" Mother and Son." Siames
Twins" The Three Graces," /" Young Amer
: ica," and others. We perceived that the pro
prietor of the Grove, Mr.. A. S. Haynes, ha
commenced to name tree after each State il
the Union, and it will be doubtless Nth
feeling of pride that the visitor will look upol
one of these enormous trees named after th
, State of his nativity.
After having examined the grove, we re
, sumed the road towards the summit, and en-
camped for the night on the bank of Beave
creek, about four and a half miles from th
Big Tree, and next day reached :" Uncle john
Cabin" at Big Meadows, where we concluded
to remain a day to examine the vicinity ant
hunt for game. Wehere found Messrs. McKin
ty and Thompson, of lone Valley, engaged il
herding some eighty or ninety head of Ameri
can cattle, which they had purchased las