The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-03

different names, such as Grizzly Giant,
Anna, Mary, Longfellow, Whittier, Twins,
the Faithful Old Couple, etc. Since the
discovery of these giants of the forest an
immense number of seeds has been scat
tered throughout the world. They grow
very rapidly, especially in England. Az
ter a visit to the MaripOsa grove, we pro-
eeeded to Yo Semitic Valley. 1t is stage
ride Of % miles from Clark's Tavern,
through fine pine forest The first view
of the Valley is rather Disappointing to
one who IS familiar with the Highlands
Of Berne, the Engadin and the Chamounix
Valley. 1t certainly does not come up to
good old Switzerland either in variety or
sublimity of scenery. You miss the snow
covered Alps, the glaciers, the lakes, the
invigorating air, the comfortable hotels.
The enjoyment is marred by the binding
dust, the scorching heat, and the vexing
mosquitoes. But Yo Semitic Valley has
beauty and majesty which is peculiarly
its own.
The first feature which struck me is
the number and height Of its waterfalls.
The Valley is only seven miles long, and
yet has eight cascades, each one of which
is interesting enough to make the fortune
of an ordinary valley They are The
Bridal Veil, $50 feet above the Valley.
The 70 Semitic T. e., Large Grizzly Bear
1884 feet. 1t has three distinct falls; the
first is 1000 feet, the second 534, the
third 500. They are separated by clefts
Of rocks, beneath which the Yo Semitic
hides itself, preparing for second and
then third leap. The Vernal Fall, $50
feet. The Nevada Fall, 700 feet. The
South Fork, 500 feet. The Royal Arch
Fall, 1000 feet The Sentinel Fall, g.
go feet. The Ribbon Fall, $500 feet
The Bridal Veil and the Yo Semitic Falls
resemble the Staubback in the Lauter-
brunnen Valley, but are, in height, as
giants compared with a pigmy. The
quantity of water. too, is greater, but it
diminishes much by the end of June
The best time to see these Falls in all
their glory is April and May.
The next popularity of the Valley which
impressed my mind is the churchly archi-
tecture-if may so call lit-of the almost
perpendicular rocks which wall in the
Valley. There are Arches and Spires and
DOmes and Cathedrals, sculptured out of
the solid granite by Natures great Ar
chiteet. must add, the Valley itself is
very narrow and exclusive, only half a
mile to a mile and quarter wide, and hot
as furnace. These rocks rise to height
of from 3,10O to 6, $50 feet above the Val
ley (Which is 4, ,060 feet above the sea-
or over 10000 feet above the sea level.
The highest is Clouds Rest (6, $50 feet;)
next comes Mt. Starr King, (5,1OO feet3
then the South Dome $1,000 feet, the
Sentinel Dome (4,125 feet) the North
Dome (3,725 feet, the Cathedral Spires
(2,660 feet) The best views of these re-
markable rocky formations can be had
from the Eagles Peak (Which has been
recently made accessible for pedestrians
and riders on horseback, and the Glacier
Point The former presents a fine pano-
rama of the mountain scenery, the latter
of the waterfalls.
1t takes three or four days to see the
Valley thoroughly. Take first morning
ride in carriage to Mirror Lake, to see
the reflection of the rising sun and the
surrounding rocks; then ride the same day,
on horseback, to the Vernal Fall and the
Nevada Fall, stopping an hour or two in
Shows Tavern, where you viii make the
acquaintance of a decidedly original old
lady, Mrs. Snow, from Vermont; the next
day devote to a climb to Glazier Point.
and the third day to the Eagles Peak,
which is the most severe, but the most
rewarding of the tours.
There are three hotels in the Valley.
The first you come to is kept by Mr.. Lei
dig, German married to a Scotch wife
(Which makes strong team, aud is con-
sidered the best for its table and kind
treatment. The second is Blacks Hotel,
which has the advantage of the fullest
view of Yo Semitic Fall. The third is
called Hutchings, and is the largest.
The State of California, to which the
United States Government has granted the
Yo Semitic Valley and the Big Tree groves
for the benefit Of the public, appoints,
through the Governor, Commissioners for
the management of this property, who own
the buildings and lease them to response
bic parties. They viii make improvements
as fast as the liberality of the Legislature
will allow them.
Snakes, Monkeys and Women.