The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-11-22

HiN' ARpCA anu VIC res, thc ouAl4iS "
which, against the clear blue sky, can be-
easily imagined into the shape of a gothic
church or cathedral. Then we pass the
Twin Brothers, and Sentinel Rock, and
thus we leave one towering and threat
eniug rock for another, equally high,
until we are at the foot of the Yosemite
| Falls, whence we turn at right angels tC
| the right, and at noon arrived at Hutch,
ings's hotel the ride has consumed two
days and half.
IN THE VALLEY.
This Valley, it is said, was, in 1886
and for several years subsequently, in
habited by Indians solely, who used it as
place of concealment and refuge after
they had attacked the whites or murdered
settlers. They regarded it as impregna-
bic aud unapproachable by the white
man. However, it was visited by white
men as early as 1851. But it was not
until 1855 that any person visited it as
pleasure-seekers. Mr. J. NJ. Hutchings,
of Hutching's hotel, was the first to pub
lish its beauties and grandeur. He
erected house there; he still lives
there, and none can describe its beauties
better than no can. Hutching's hotel is
the centre of attraction among the hotels.
1t consists of three or four cottages erect
ed separately, but managed as one hotel.
In the same vicinity, is Smiths "Cosmo-
politan, where is kept the register Of the
visitors to the valley, and where can be
attained good baths, wines, etc. He also
has two reading rooms, one for ladies,
and one for gentlemen, where reading
and writing is in order, and comfort can
be found
From Smiths, is a plank walk leading
to Blacks hotel, about quarter of a
mile distant, and equally as we'll kept,
and has all the advantages of more quiet
and solid comforts, with magnificent
view from the piazza of the Yosemite
Falls.
Our hotel selected, good bath and
dinner, was all we desired, except rest
until the next morning. We spent the
afternoon on the porch, watching the
going and coming Of visitors and excur-
sionists, and the ever varying Yosemite
Falls. The water pours over through
an opening in the rim rock of the valley,
and drops first distance of 900 feet
perpendicular. Frequently the wind
sweeps aside the column Of water, and
the falling~stream descends in points like
shower of falling rockets. Every
instant the scene changes spray
cloud like a white gauze of the finest
fabric, then we see a shower of falling
comets, with wido spread tails extending
upwards, then the shape and appearance
of a cataract or waterfall is resembled.
After the first drop, the stream comes
plundering over the rocks, distance OF
534 feet, to third fall, or drop, which is
500 fees, % the valley, from which il joins
the MERGED river, Mirror Lake, Vernal
and Nevada Falls.
Our next business is TO sec4re guide
to see the valley.
/ Our host, Mr.. Black, introduced sew.
erai gentlemen who can accommodate US
/ We selected Mr.. s., who agreed Il
/ furnish a guide on horse back. for five
/ dollars day, and saddle horses for oul
party at 81 30 day. Our ladies rode
uDon side-saddles, but we met many
riding astride. They said it was safer, W.
did not Enow, Our first trip was to Mir
ror Lake, three miles fEom the hotel, 1
beautiful sheet of water under the hang
iug rocks on either side. There is
house hese, where boat can be obtained
from which the reIection of the sur
rounding trees and rocks can be So o.e2r
~ seen that we are ready to own to tn
Appropriateness Of the name, g Mirror
Lake. Returning TO ttutchlngs, W
turn to the left, and follow the trail "a
ont of the upper end of the valley to tn
foot of Vernal Falls. The Indian
named the Vernal Falls the Cataract c
diamonds. % Piyyack
The height of the fails il 900 feet
From here we may. by foot path an
ladders. ascend to the top Of the fails
and thence follow the stream to tn
Navada Falls, or by a circuitous trail, W
ascend the mountain, and finally eros
inc the stream, arrive at Shows hote
in view of one of the grandest falls in ii
world-height and quantity of waite
and scenery considered. 1t is about TT
feet in height, and at the foot throws U
the finest spray conceivable.
After leaving the Nevada Falls, II
river continues bounding and plunde
inc from rock to rock, and cascade
cascade, scattering its diamond spray
drops here and there with great beau
, and brilliancy.
At Shows hotel, we had dinner, b
+ cannot recommend that house to Il
stranger.
u The Nevada and Nernal Falls q
} formed by the MERGED river comb
> down into the Yosemite Valley. In doll
this, it is said that within distance
two miles, the river descends about =, %
feet. of which descent the two falls me
toned form part.
GLAzIER POINT.
Our next trip was to Glazier Poil
:. This is a new trail, having been open
IT, dsetauaa Ia AID