Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-11-19
THE YOSEMITE Valley.
a Pss PietaE: - &c ese.e,fsi sesasry

gives ono Of the best word psintings Of
the Sierra scenery ever put In print.
Speaking Of tho Sierra range In which
he Yosemite valley Is situated, he says:
''In general views no mark Of man Is
isible upon It, nor any thing to suggest
he wonderful depth and grandeur Of its
cplpture. None Of its magnificent,
orest-crowned ridges seems to rise much
above the general level to publish its
wealth. No great valley or river Is
Of any kind standing out ss distinct
pictures. Even the summit peaks, mar
shaded in glorious array 30 high in tho
sky, seem comparatively smooth and
featureless. Nevertheless tho whole
range Is furrowed with canyons to .
depth Of from 1000 to 5000 feet, in
which once flowed majestic glaciers,
and in which now how and sing the
bright Sierra rivors.
Though OF such stupendous depth,
these canyons are not raw, gloomy, jag
ged-wailod gorgcs, savage and inacces-
siblo. With rough passages hero and
there, thoy are mostly smooth. open
pathways conducting to tho fountains Of
the summit; mountain streets full Of
life and light, graded and sculpturcd by
tho ancient glaciers, and presenting
throughout all their courses rich vari-
city Of novel and attractive scenery
tho most attractive that has yet been
discovered in the mountain ranges Of
the world. In many places-especially
in the middle region Of the western
flank-tho main canyons widen into spa
cious valleys or parks Of charming
beauty.
"The most famous and accessible of
these canyon valleys, and also the one
that presents their most striking and
sublime features on the grandost scale
is the Yosemite, situated on tho upper
waters Of tho MERGED at on elevation of
1000 feet above the level Of the sea.
1t is about seven miles long, half mile
to milo wide and nearly mile deep,
and is carved in the solid granite flank
Of tho range. Tho walls OF tho valley
arc made up of rocks, mountains in sizo,
partly separated from each other by side
canyons and gorgcs; and they are SO
sheer in front, and 80 compactly and
tremendously built together on level
floor, that tho place, mprehensively
seen, looks like somo immense hall or
tomple lighted from above.
"But no temple mado with hands can
compare with Yosemite. Every rock in
its walls seems to glow with life. Some
lean back in majestic rcpose; others,
absolutely sheer, or nearly SO for thou
sands OF feot, advance beyond their
companions in thoughtful attitudes, Civ
ing welcome to storms and Gains alike,
nj Hynf nor 81
every thing going on about them. Awful
in stern, immovable majesty, how softly
these mountain rocks arc adorned and
how Ane and reassuring the company
they kcop-their foot set in groves and
gay emerald meadows, thoir brows in the
thin blue sky, thousand flowers lean
ing confldingly against their adaman-
tino bosses, bathed in floods of booming
water, floods OF light, while snow,
clouds, winds, avalanches, shine and
sing and wreathe about them as the
years 60 by! Birds, bees, butterflies
and myriads Of nameless wings stir
tho air into music and give glad ANNA
ton. Down through the midst flows
| tho crystal Merced-river Of mercy
peacefully gliding, rofecting lilies and
! trees and tho unlocking rocks, things
frail and Geeting and types of endurance
meeting hore and blending in countless
| forms, as il into this one mountain man.
sion nature had gathered her choicest
treasures, whether great or small, to
draw her lovers into close and confiding
communion with her.
"Sauntering towards Yosemite up the
foothills, richer and wilder become the
forests and streams. At an elevation of
G.OOU foot above tho level of the sea the
silver frs are 200 feet high, with branch
os around tho colossal shafts in regular
ordor, and every branch beautifully
pinnato like fern leaf. The Douglas
spruce and tho yollow and sugar pines
hero reach their highest developments
Of beauty and grandeur, and the rich,
-barkcd libocedrus, with warm,
yellow.green plumes. The majestic Sc
quota, too, is here, the king Of conifers,
tho noblcst Of q noble race. All these