The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-10-24
Yosemite and It's Wonders.
EDITOR HERALD:

1
We remained at Raymond over nigh
Next morning travelled forty-two mile
by stage to a hotel called Wawana. .Ai
ter nights rest we started for the Mari
posa Grove or big trees, ten miles distant
This grove contains about six hundre'
trees. Among them are some of the lar,
est in the world.
The Grizzly Giant, which is the larges;
is l02 feet in circumference and owe
three hundred feet high; having brancl
six feet in diameter. These trees hav
few large branches but numerous smal
ones.
The Wawona lone of the largest trees
has drive way cut through large enough
To allow the stage and other vehicles /,
pass through. Upon this tree are writ
ten the names of persons from nearly al
the States and European countries; even
including the far OF celestial. The New
York, Vermont and Pittsburg trees ar,
nearby and are very interesting.
The Fallen Monarch" was blown
down by a storm some years ago and
measures 32j feet in length. Never hay
ing seen these trees, one would naturally
suppose they have large roots, but, such
is not the case. They have numerous
small ones.
During the summer months the Gov
ernment has soldiers stationed i'm the
grove to protect these trees from relic
hunters and keep the herds of cattle and
sheep from trespassing.
There are quite a number of big tree
relic dealers, who generally procure their
relies from saw-mills 10 or IL miles dist
ant, and sell this wood to undoubting
tourists, thereby realizing handsome
profit.
After seeing the big trees we started for
the Yosemite Valley. which is 26 miles
distant, where we find some of natures
grandest sights Walls nearly perpen-
dicular, and in places almost one mile
high. \ tourist will stand and gaze at
those walls and wonder how the mighty
cleft was caused, but that remains un-
known and will probably remain a mys-
terry for ages to come.
The FL Captain, wall of solid rock
300 feet high, is situated on the left side
and can he seen from almost any part of
the valley. Three peaks, named Three
brothers, present a pretty appearance
and are situated near the Yosemite Falls
Glaciers Point is an extending rock
S2S0 feet high. on the eastern end is sit
uated Grizzly Peak and Half Dome. 1t
has the appearance of half of the dome
having fallen away. If nature ever sew
cred the dome there il no trace to he
found of the fallen half The result is a
half dome almost one mile high. Over
these great walls there leap a number of
water falls.
The Yosemite being the highest. is
26i0 feet high; being the highest in the
world
The first fall is 1000 feet high and the
other two smaller. From the valley
these falls appeas to he dense stream
falling from the clouds. Farther down
the stream are the Vernal Falls, $50 feet
high and are the most beautiful The
next noted falls is the Bridal Veil, which
resembles brides veil When the sun
shines ON these falls all the colors of the |
rainbow can be seen.
These numerous falls and Mirror Lake |
combined form the Merced River, which |
-raverses the valley and adds to its beau |
~. Although the great fame of the |
\ Yosemite is largely due to its unrivaled |
collection of water falls, still if those tor
sn;s were absent, the place would be |
without peer as an example OF natures |
These falls are i'm the heigth |
IF their glory and beauty during the
'pring and early summer while the snow
: melting from the Sierra's mighty |
peaks. The valley is very level and has
quite a number of drive ways. II il also
avored with several fine hotels for the |
accommodation of tourists, who are plen-
iful during the summer months, and add /
ife to the quiet valley.
Meals cost one dollar each and bed |
wo dollars. \ nickle il the smallest
To leave the valley we take the stage
vest to Milton, a distance OF 90 miles, |
md then to San Francisco.
Yours respectfully,
l. d. e.