Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-05-14

ing anu gong some, on 1edcnibS thi7
point from the valley, countensDces all
bright with joy, threw up their hats
and devoutly thanked God that they were
safely out of ''that hole in the ground ;;
while others, mounted and ready to go down
the hill, were pale with fear and trembling,
for what they supposed the approaching
danger; but these fears were, for the most
part, not well founded. At about 1 O'Clock
pm, of the 18th of June, we were all
mounted, guide in front, and ready for
THE GRAND DESCENT;
which we slowly made with but little diff.
Guilty or danger. The hill is about two and
half miles in length, very steep and rug.
ged, and the trail very narrow and crooked
This i regard as the worst path over which
we went. Reaching the foot of the hill, we
had near six miles yet to go before arriving
at the hotel or the celebrated Yosemite
Falls" The valley itself is a wonder; moi
one OF the seven, considered and recorded
by the ancients; but great wonder still. 1t il
some ten miles in length, and from quarter
to mile in width. This space seems tc
from 5000 to 5000 feet. Passing up
the valley, among the first noted objects
is the Bridal Veil" far to our right and on
the opposite side OF the valley. 1t Is said to
be called by the Indians, "Po-ho-no," mean
ing "Bridal Veil" 1t is beautiful sheet OF
water, falling 900 feet, and when blown by
the wind, as it almost constantly is, il looks,
In the distance, much like the veil of the
bride when adorned to meet her husband.
The next and very noted object is Ell Captain,
a Spanish name, meaning
THE CAPTAIN,
called also in Indian, Tu-tock- -nuls, which
being interpreted, means the "Great Chief OF
the Valley" This is grand old rock
Towering among US like some ancient ruin,
whose frown terri6es the glance its maguih-
cence attracts" and rising to the sublime
height of $500 feet. Many other objects of
minor Importance may be seen, and the
traveller needs a communicative guide to call
his attention and give information. Near
this point may be distinctly seen, as i'm
pressed on the rock, the likeness OF a person.
To see this requires some assistance, with a
lively fancy and wide-awake imagination.
A little higher up the valley, on the left, by
the assistance of his guide, the traveller may
see upon the solid surface of the rock the
impress of growing pine tree.
But passing over many minor matters, of
some interest we shall soon see in the dis
lance, on our left, the grand and noted
Yosemite Falls. This is an Indian name,
and is said to mean in English, Large
Grizzly Bear" These are the highest falls in
the world. They are made by the falling of
the waters of the Yosemite creek. The first
grand leap is said to be 1900 feet; the Sec
ond, 600, and the third 434,
MAKING, IN ALL, 1884 FEET.
Coming near to the foot of these falls we
dismounted aud went forward on foot, pass
ing over rocks and crags till we attained the
high point OF projecting rock. Here we
rested amid the dashing waters and falling
spray, and heard indeed sound as the
voice of many waters" From this point
we FASTENED, crossed the MERGED river on a
bridge to hotel, of which there are
three in the valley, where, brushing
and washing off the dust, we soon
found ourselves ready for a hearty supper
and sound and quiet sleep. Rising early
in the morning We secured guide and
horses and were soon on the way for
"Glacier Rock" or Point, where we were
promised fine view of almost all the val
ley. And it was grand view. The other
routes may take the valley with its wonders
in detail, but this route aud this view pre-
eye of man ever looked upon a grander
scene. No tourist should fail to visit Glacier
Point. While coming up the valley our at
tention had been called
TO FLAG POLE
high upon the mountains brow, looking lit
tie longer than a mans finger. Starting this
morning, informed that we must go to that
pole, and, looking up, we felt that it must be
impossible, the mountSin appearing almost
perpendicular; but we did go TO it, and, dis
mounting there, we rested; and, although
standing on the very brink oil a projecting
rock, we yet clambered over the roras and
up TO and touched the pole, a tap pine which
some adventurous boy had climbed TO the
top OF, cutting off all the-oranches, and there,
in childish triup~ph, planting his banner;
and from ths.~dizzy hight it continues still
to wave-~Looking over and across the val
ley1me were surprised to find we were not
yet up even with the point from which Yo-
semite's sparkling waters make their first
grand leap. Leaving our horses and the rest
of our party here, my good wife and myself,
preceded by the guide made a foot tour over
crags and rocks aud mountain peaks to
Moran Point. Here we had a fine view of
the valley. Returning, we again mounted
and started on TO
GLACIER POINT.
Ga reaching this point we found our
selves at an elevation of 5000 feet. Now we
are above the highest point of Yosemite
Falls. Here again We dismounted. This
wss the grandest view we had yet had.
Across from US and on the other side of the
valley appeared in full view, and in all
their grandeur, Yosemite's dashing falls,
with their roaring, foaming waters and ris-
ing, shining spray. We looked down into
this little Yosemite vale, stretching itself in
''pensive quietuess;" saw the MERGED river
"move in majesty" viewed the complain
ing brooks that make the meadows green"
witnessed with interest the gardener 10 his
toll gathering his fresh ripe fruit, and heard
the laundering falls. Higher up in the val
ley, aud to our right, is the home of quiet
little Miner Lake, the bosom of whose deep
blue waters is the resting place OF bright
rainbows and sparkling beauties. Still fur
Their to our right, and up the valley in
equally full view, are the Nevada Falls, the
Indian name for which is Yo-wy-ye. These
are considered by most persons the grandest
of all these falls. Here we have not the
Yosemite creek but the MERGED river, with
all its waters, making
ONE GRAND LEAP OF SEVEN HUNDRED FEET.
This gives more than the sound OF distant
waters; il is one overwhelming, laundering
sound that hushed TO silence all around.
Near to these, and also in full view, are the
"Vernal" Falls, called by the Indians Ty-wy-
ack, meaning Sparkling Waters" This is
another fall in the MERGED river, and fine
exhibition of nature in one of her grandest
moods. But we are not high enough; we
must reach Sentinel Dome" and 30 resum
ing our line of march and travelling some
mile and half further, We came TO the high
est and GROWING point of our travel. 1u-
stead of an elevation as at Glacier Rock of
5000 feet, we now reach the lofty hight of
$500 feet. We are among the clouds. Just
beyond deep gorge, do you see that high
est point? That is called Clouds Rest" 1t
is there, after wandering to and fro, they set
tie down in repose. Leaving our guide and
company, my wife and l climbed up to the
top of huge rock, on which another rock,
as large as a email house, was placed, and
there we sat down
AMID THE CLOUDS
and ate our hasty meal. Surprising that
heaven is above us we could but feel that we
were nearer it than many; and thus placed
on high above the storms career We could
look downward-if not upon a hundred
realms" at least upon the sublime scenery
OF the Yosemite valley, and, indeed, upon
most OF the surrounding mountains. There
were distinctly in view the "Three Brothers"
the North and South Domes," the "Cathe-
dral Rocks" and the @Roysl Arches" In
the valley was the summers sun; here, al
most at hand, was winters snow in large
quantities. But weary, and night approach
ing, we descended from our high estate to
our hotel in the valley. Having seen
enough of
THIS VALLEY AND ITS WONDERS,
with pack mules and guide we reached
Gentry's Station, on the hill, at about $50
O'Clock, and leaving there by 10 o'clock am,
we were snugly seated in our carriage, drawn