Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-19

hundred feet 1t takes time to comprehend,
fully, their greatness. A single glance is not
enough; we must walk around them, examine
the bark, itself two feet thick in some portions
compare them with the large trees of the east
ern states before we realize the magnitude of
these forest monarchs. Here they are on the
SUBMITS higher from the ocean than the cone
of Mt. Washington, and around them, in the
grassy meadows, bloom in richest fragrance
the finest tinted flowers. These are among
earth's maryels, of momentous interest TO
scientific minds, affording much pleasure to all
who see them. By early evening we are at the
hotel, and at seven next morning, mounted mule
back, are "a aboard" for the still more won
derlul Yosemite, choosing the obstinate animals
because they are surer footed than even mus
tangs along these rocky and precipitous trails.
AT noon, we dine at the Mountain View
house, over seven thousand feet above the
Pacific, where there is frost every morning in
tie year and no vegetation but hardy grasses.
In April, the snow was piled five feet above the
roof of the house, one-story structure By
three in the afternoon, we are on the verge of
the valley at the granite crest Of Sentinel Dome,
CuNO
sweeps in every direction. Beneath us lies
Yosemite, with its falls foaming and spraying
like columns of molten silver plunging head
long into abysses that seem TO have no base. No
matter which way we gaze, mountains are piled
on mountains, peaks touch the clouds, yelled IN
their snowy shrouds. The very heavens above
seem nearer, and the air is so thin and lght
that breathing is somewhat difficult. On the
very tip of this immense granite dome, hun
dred feet above the snow bank on the north
side, we gathered five varieties of tiny, delicate,
brightly colored flowers. There was no soil; no
earth but the pulverized granite. And yet on
the topmost point grew stunted hard pine,
| striking its roots for substance down among the
crevices. In our wanderings we started large
wild cat, who deity managed to..creep down the
sides, in spite of the pistol shots of my COM
panions. Lingering here as long as the
hours and our journey permit, we
turn with hesitation and regret downward
from this enchanting spot, and wonder what
more charming views the High Sierra can give.
This is magnificent, sublime-where shall we
turn for its SUPERIOR But tourists say that the
views from the highest point around the valley,
called Clouds Rest" 10000 feet above the sea,
have wider reaches, more stupendous, but of
less variety. We are quite content with the eX
perience on Sentinel Dome, and believe that in
some respects it has no equal. In an hours
ride we are on the very verge of Yosemite, at
Glacier Point, three thousand and two hundred
feet above the valleys base, and looking light
down perpendicular wall to the bottoml The
=. 1 H.,
walk TO the edge, we lie down and peer over an
edge half as high as the highest point of the
White mountains is above the Atlantic. No
pen can describe, no pencil illustrate, no CAM
era picture. Dear reader, You must go there
if you would see what the Creator has made no
where else within the knowledge of man. Trees
a hundred feet high in the vale seem like cur
rant bushes; an OK team poughing is as a
pair of young grasshoppers; so small are they
that we cannot discern what they are, and only
learn from the guide. Below is the hotel where
now we are writing, apparently the size Of a
moderate hen coop, or dog kennel, Yet, we
must stick to our mule four miles more, and
three hours longer before we reach its hospitable
walls, adown this precipitous cliff on a trail
that winds down the side in see-saw forms.
AT every turn the views change, each so in
teresting that we know not to say which is
best. All the way the valley is in full view,
with its silvery river in the centre; the falls on
the opposite bank, and its green carpet so agree
able after the dazzling yellow of the San Joa-
guin. The animals walk the entire distance,
| with careful, steady step, though at times they
well nigh stood upon their noses than upon
their feet, so steep is the trail Though weary
| and worn we sorrow when this Wild weird,
| eXhilerating ride is over. Were it not for the
fatigue, a repetition would by no means cloy
the delighted senses.
Entering the valley by the Mariposa trail, and
a visit to the big trees together with the excur-
siOns to various points in and around the val
| ley, gives one about seventy miles OF horseback
| riding To those unused to it, of course, excess
siye fatigue follows the journey, which detracts
UNNECESSARILY from the enjoyment and mars
the satisfaction. Under the present facilities of
travel there is only one possible mode of avoid
ing the WEAKNESS which all experience, which
is by occupying five days in going, and four or
five days stay after arrival. This Is more time
than most tourists can spare, and the result is
hundreds, and thousands even, stay away who
would go if the trip were short, easy and at a
fair expense. Last year few over three thou
sand visited the valley by all routes. Thus far,
this season, about eighteen hundred.
The problem Of the passenger carriers is to
make the journey quick, easy and at reasonable
charges Remember that Glacier Poiut-the
best place for entrance-is seven thousand feet
ahava hn Cap tbot, I,o ~,
termedate approaches must climb the sleeps of
the high Sierras, and yon will see that there
are difficulties of no small moment But pres
ent indications show they will be overcome
The Central Pacific company contemplate build
| ing railway from Merced--on their present
Visalia line-to White & Hatch's, and Fisher
u Co., the owners of the stage line from MERGED
to Mariposa, purpose building a horse railway
from White & Hatch's entirely in to the bottom
Of the valley, and erecting large hotel at the
Bridal Vail fall, passing Glacier Point The
route has been carefully surveyed, and found to
be of easy grades, by following the tread of the
mountains.
The estimated cost Of steam aud horse rail-
way from MERGED to the base of Yosemite is
| s24O,OOO Present indications tend strongly to
show that in less than two years the project
win be no longer a scheme, but passengers will
have luxurious, rapid, and comparatively in-
expensive trip to the far.famed and delight
some vale. +. Bouacini, Esq, the active man
ager of Fisher & Co., is pushing the work on
toward completion. lie began staging in Cali
fornia in 1852, and has followed il since, with
the exception of two years tour in Europe.
He brings TO the task ndOmitable energy, close
calculation, executive ability, and delicate
and appreciative sense of the wishes and needs
of the tourists on the Pacific shore. He is sus-
tanned by prominent railway men and heavy
capitalists. Individual enterprise is fast making
up what the state of California ought to have
literally performed half dozen years ago, to
render the approach and return physical
pleasure and comfort, and not, as at present, an
expensive torment 10 ALL
There is one important and strong reason
why thisproject should become an accomplished
fact to the leading trunk lines of railway from
the east to the Golden state, viz; nearly all the
pleasure and sanitary travel from Europe and
the Atlantic states has as its efobective point
in coming to California, a visit to Yosemite
But the expense is comDaratiyely great for the