The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-11-10


We discussed the propriety of camp
ing directly at the foot of the pass. but
decided against it, because of the made
quacy of the grass at this point for our
tired, hungry beasts, and resolved to push
to the nearest Of the two houses in the
valley, which was said to be four miles
distant. To my dying day. shall re-
member that weary, interminable ride up
the valley. We had been on foot-siDce
daylight; it was now past midnight; all
were nearly used up and | in torture
from over eleven hours steady riding on
the hardest trotting horse in America
Yet We pressed on. and on, through clumps
of trees, and bits of forest, and patches
Of meadow. and over hillocks of mountain
debris, mainly granite boulders of every
size, often nearly as roand as canon balls,
forming all but perpendicular banks to
the capricious torrent that brought them
hither-tbose stupendous precipices on
either side gIaring down upon US all the
while. How many times our heavy eyes
i mean those Of my San Francisco friend
and my own-were lighted up by visions
Of that intensely desired cabin-visons
which seemed distinct and unmistakable,
but which, alas nearer view proved to
be made up of moonlight and shadow,
rock and tree, into which they faded one
after another. It seemed at length that
We should Dever reach the cabin. and my
wavering mind recalled elisb German
stories of the Wild Huntsman, and of
men who. having accepted invitations to
midnight chase, found on their return
that said chase had been prolongued till
all their relatives and friends we're dead,
and no one could be induced to recognize
or recolect them. Gladly could | have
thrown IN yself recklessly from the saddle,
and lain where | fell till morning, but this
would never answer, and we kept steadi.
ly ou,
"Time and the hour wear out the longest day.
At length the real cabin-one made of
posts and beams and wbipsawed boards
inste ad Of rock and shadow, and moon
shine-was reached, and we all eagerly
dismounted, turning our weary steeds in-
to abundant grass, and stirring up the as
tonished landlord, who had never before
received guests at that unseemingly hour.
Qt was after /, n.y. He made US vel
come, however. to his best accommoda-
tions, which would have found US lenient
critics even had they been worse, and L
crept into my rude but clean bed as soon
as possible, while the rest awaited the
preparation of some refreshments for the
inner man. There was never dainty
that could have tempted me to eat at that
hour. | am told that none ever before
travelled from Bear Valley to the Yose-
mite in one day-I am confident no green
horns ever did. The distauce can hard
ly exceed 80 miles by an air line; but on-
" bird could traverse that line, while,
by way of 'Mariposas and the South Fork.
it must be fully 90 miles, with rise and
fall of not less than 10000 feet.
The Fall of the Yosemite, SO called,
is humbug. 1t is not the Merced Riv-
er that makes this fall, but mere tribu-
tary trout-brook. which pitches in from
the north BY barely once broken descent
of 2. 800 feet, while the Merced enter the
valley at its eastern extremely, over falls
of 800 aud $50 feet. But a river thrice
as large as the Merced at this season
would be utterly dwarfed by ell the 9th
er accessories of this prodigious chasm.
Only Mississippi or Niagara could be
adequate to their exactions. readily
concede that hundred times the present
amount of water may roll down the Yos-
emite fall in the months Of May aud June,
when the SHOWS are melting from the Gen.
tral ranges of the Sierra Nevada which
bound this abyss on the east; but this
would not add fraction to the wonder OF
this vivid exemplifoatlon OF the Divine
power and majesty. At present. the lit
tie stream that leaps down the Yosemite
aud is all but shattered to mist by the a
IN azing descent, looks more like tape
line let down from the cloud-carped hight
to measure the depth of the abyss. The
Yosemite Valley (or George is the most
unique and majestic of natures marvels,
but the Yosemite Fall is of little account.
We're it absent, the valley would not be
perceptibly less worthy of fatiguing
visit
We traversed the valley from end to
end naxt day, but an accumulation of de-
tail. on such subject only serve to coll
fuse and blunt the Observers powers OF
perception and appreciation. Perhaps
the visitors who should be content with .
long look into the ayss from the most con.
senient hight. without Drawing the toll of
a descent, would be wiser than all OF US;
and yet that frat lance upward from the
foot will long haunt me as more impress
sve than any look downward from the
summit could be.
shall not multiply details, nor waste
paper in noting all the foolish names
which foolish people have given to differ
ent peaks or turrcts. just think OF two
giant stone towers or pillars, which rise a
thousand feet above the towering cliff
which forms their base, being styled "Thc
Two Sisters |" Could anything be more
maladroit and lacksdaisical "The
Dome" is high, round, naked peak.