News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-07-30
journal OF a Trip to Yosemite.

Journal OF Trip to Yosemite.
STOCKTON. Cal. June 30, 1891.
Mr.. Editor and Friends:-
Many times have / been asked by
readers to contribute an article for
publication, but pressure of business
has prevented, furthermore after set
tling down TO Office work / have not
felt the enthusiasm nor seen so much
to interest one as / did when travel
ing. But a two weeks trip prompts
me to write for the entertainment of
some who have not had the pleasure
of seeing the grandest of all places
Yosemite.
Thursday morning a party oftwelve
with two teams, one four horses and
the other two, taking tent, provision,
etc, for n two weeks trip left Stock
ton with it's cares and perplexities
behind. The first day we drove 40
miles, for the first 2S miles we did not
see n stone as large as a walnut but
waving wheat fields on each side of
the road as the line of vision extended.
San Joaquin valley is the great wheat
section of the state. After 30 miles
of level land it becomes slightly roll
ing and the dark rich soil becomes
gravelly in places, still waving wheat
fields attract comment until we reach
Knights Ferry, where the golden
wheat field is contrasted beautifully
with the green foliage of fruit trees
and vineyards. Knights Ferry is 36
miles from Stockton, the land is brok-
EN- and large masses of volcanic rocks
are scattered about. The Stanislaus
river flows majestically along, being
the first stream seen since leaving
home. We camped at Z near the
home of an old '49er Our driver be-
ing accustomed to making the trip
planned for each dayand set the time
for rising at $3.50, breakfast as soon
as possible and starting before six.
Sister Lucy and 1 slept in the wagon
the first night and the time to get
out was none too early to suit us,
but the tenters objected osuch early
rising-the ground was n softer bed.
However, they were soon out and the
four-horse party had their breakfast
after we did and soon overlook us.
/ In place of the vast wheat fields the
| second days ride of 30 miles is over n
smoothroad through a grazingco
try with less than n dozen homes
around whirh are fruit trees, vines,
etc, made TO grow from the water
pumped by windmills. Lagrange is
reached at 1890 after crossing the
Tuolumore river by n ferry. La
grange is a quaint little town of $50
inhabitants. Before placer mining
was prohibited by the state it was a
lively place. Near by the hills have
been washed away and immense holes
give evidence of mining days. Ere
reaching Lagrange the scenery be-
comes interesting and the last 10
miles is enjoyed as we become accus-
toned to riding and variety of seen
cry charms the eye. Camped mt
Granite Springs, altitude about 1900
feet near which Pine Blanche towers
above. We are now in the hills and
continue TO climb most of the way TO
Coulterville, though there are many
down-grades. Coultervilleis charm
ing little village of 400, mostly Ital-
ians. The leading store was estab-
lished in 1856. Being the principal
town on the way to Yosemite il gives
name to the road from Stockton.
We stopped to lunch two miles above
in a acharmingspot near a coolstream,
after which we ascended Greedy hill,
three miles of steady climbing. There
are scrub oaks and various kinds of
trees but unfortunately they all grow
on the hill above and not one near
enough to the road to shelter one.
1t was intensely hot and we were
happy when the summit, 400 feet
higher than the foot of the HILL was
reached. Though the view is grand
looking back, we were all too warm
to stop to gaze down hundreds Of
feet below or up to our left TO the
ever changing scenes; but when we
got into the wagons and soon saw
the snow-capped Sierras in front and
a beautiful valley four miles long and
two miles wide at our feet, the trans
formation was instantaneous and
we all exclaimed, "Oh, how delight
fulv' Vegetation is a month later
and thecool refreshing breeze revived
us so we could more fully appreciate
the granduer of the pine forest.
Though the way has not been with
out trees, yet we have had nothing
particularly striking until Maripusa
County is reached. After passing
through the largest valley i'm the
county we came to thick pine forests,
large as compared to pines i'm other
states, but mere sapling beside what
are tn he seen At 4.3O we canned
at Dudley's, where we gathered inn
portant facts from Mr., Dudley. super.
visor of the county. But | must not
tarry too long though enough Of his
tory and present condition existing
in Maripusa County could be written
to fill more space than | fear will be
allowed. Altitude at Dudley's 1000
feet, hottest day 1902, coldest known
%. Frosts up to June. The scenery
is varied but nothing of special in
terest until Bower Cave, 500 feet
higher than Dudley's and ~ miles
beyond, is reached. Herewe stopped
and all but two went in. During
, their absence we took notes anC
CLEANED facts from the owner OF Tn,
cave. They sang hymn before leav
ing and all reported il n place wortl
seeing. The winding road for 4 miles
to the dollhouse is full of interest.
As this letter is already too lonl
for insertion in one issue OF the New,
) AND CITIZEN | will defer further de
, scription of this trip until next week
I Yours truly.