The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-01-02
THE YOSEMITE VALLEY
A Pen Picture OF the Beaatiful 49,.
- isc Eouna In,.rr

A Pen Picture OF the BeaatIful So,
- Ise Found There.
John Muir, writing in The ce-.p
gives one OF the best werd palnfis-g
the Sierra scenery ever put in r-i
Speaking of the Sierra range ir .t,
the Yosemite valley is situated. Ea
''ln general views no mark Of man
visible upon it. nor any thing 70 .g ~
the wonderful depth and grandeur M
sculpture. None Of its marui1,cl
forest-crowncd ridges seems 70 ris.. il
above the general level 10 publish
wealth. No great valley or river
seen, or group of well marked foatul
of any kind standing out as distir
pictures. Even the summit peaks. m
shaled in glorious array SO high in
sky, seem comparatively smooth
fcaturclcss. Nevertheless the whx
range Is furrowcd with canyon,
depth of from 1000 70 5000 lcrt
which once flowed majestic glaciq
and in which now flow and sing
bright Sierra rivers.
Though of such stupcndcus derl
these canyons are not raw. gloomy,
ged-wailed gorges, savage and inaca
sible. With rough passages here
there, they are mostly smooth, a
pathways conducting TO the fountain,
the summit; mountain streets fun
life and light, graded and sculpture
the ancient glaciers, and pre,gu
throughout all their courses rich
cty OF novel and attractive scc4g
the most attractive that has yet
discovered in the mountain rang /
the world. In many places-esp,c
in the middle region OF the Wc 1
iiank-thc main canyons widen into
cious valleys or parks OF charu
beauty.
Tho most famous and accessible
these canyon valleys. and also thc
that presents their most striking
sublime features on the grandcst Z
is the Yosemite. situated on tho II L
waters Of the Mcrccd at an elcvatld {
1000 feet above the level Of tho &
IL Is about seven miles long, half e
10 4 mile wide and nearly mile i q
and Is cary d in the solid granite z
Of the range. The walls Of the y; =
"- ...dc ~ OF rocks. mountains in {
canyons and gorges; and they are
sheer in front, and so compactly h
harmoniously built together on Il
floor, that the place, comprehensiu
seen. looks like some immense ha
temple lighted from above.
"But no temple made with hand q
compare with Yosemite. Every rod \
its walls seems 20 glow with life. 8
lean back in majestic rcpose; OH
absolutely sheer, or nearly SO for u
sands OF feet, advance beyond
companions in thoughtful attitudes.
ing welcome TO storms and calms a
seemingly conscious, yet needles
every thing going on about them. a &
in stern, immovable majesty, how sd z
these mountain rocks are adorned II
how fine and reassuring the CONT
they keep-their feet set in groves \
gay emerald meadows, their brOvs ! q
thin blue sky, thousand flowers
ing conhdingly against their ada
tine bosses, bathed in floods OF boon
water, floods OF light, while 50
clouds, winds, ayalanches, shine
sing and wreathe about them as
years go byl Birds, bees, butter e
and myriads of nameless wings 4
the air into music and give glad ann
ton. Down through the midst ~
the crystal Merced-river Of nero
peacefully gliding, rejecting lilies
trees and the unlocking rocks, I'll
frail and fieeting and types Of endura1
meeting here and blending in counu
forms, as IL into this che mountain ~
sion nature had gathered 7 Ghoic
treasures, whether great sL<4
draw her lovers into close and conn1<
communion with her.
"Sauntering towards Yosemite up(
foothills, richer and wilder become
forests and streams. At an elevation
O.O0O feet above the level OF the sea
silver frs are 200 feet high, with brad
es around the colossal shafts in regti
order, and every branch beautifd
pinnate like fern leaf. The Dou4
spruce and the yellow and sugar II
here reach their highest developmc'
of beauty and grandeur, and the 4
brown-barked libocedrus, with VA
yellow-green plumes. The majesticl
quota, too. is here, the king OF conife
the noblest OF a noble race. All ID
colossal trees are as wonderful in the Y
ness of their beauty and proportions
in stature, growing together, an assf
blage Of conifers surprising all 4
have yet been discovered in the ford
Of the world. Here, indeed, is the 4
lovers paradise, the woods, dry
wholesome, letting in the light in sd
mering masses, half sunshine,
shade, the air indescribably spicy
exhilarating, plushy fir boughs for be
and cascades TO sing us asleep as
gaze through the trees 10 the stars. }"