The San Francisco call., 1896-07-26
Everybody
Is Going to the
Yosemite
Most Of Them Jra1eI
on Foot or With
Pack Mules or
Horses

Tourists who have just returned from
the Y Yosemite Valley report that there are
more visitors to the great natural wonder
this year than have ever been known
before. And they are going in al sorts OF
| ways, but the greater number are tramp
ing.n and they are the ones who are having
the-best time.
Just how many tramping parties have
left San Francisco this season is matter
past finding out. But they have been on
the roads constantly for the last two
months and there is no sign OF decrease
at present, although 1t Is said the valley
does not look its best on account OF the
scarcity of snow last winter.
The plan OF these people who want to
have good time on a moderate sum OF
money is to form congenial party OF from
five to ten persons. But they must be all
good campers. The amount of money to
be spent for the trip is then "pooled, " each
putting in the same amount, and the un-
derstanding being that they will stay out
as long as it lasts.
The next thing to do is to get horse
and wagon and the necessary outfit. The
wagon is to carry the camp outfit and the
members of the party walk. So that all
may have fair show turns are taken in
driving.
Many parties from this City travel all
the way on foot, going from here south to
Niles and then up the canyon to Stockton.
But this is not general, as the road is un-
interesting except while travelling through
the canyon. The trip to Niles is hot and
dusty and when the eastern end of the
canyon is reached there is long road to
Stockton, where the trip really begins.
The best and most popular way to go is
to take the steamer at the foot OF Clay
street and go to Stockton. By this method
the expense of the trip is increased very
slightly, which, however, is more than
compensated for by the additional time
thus gained TO be spent in the valley or
some other interesting place. Horses and
wagon, as well as all camp outtlt, can be
put on the boat without disturbing the ar
| rangement of them, SO that when Stock
ton is reached it is only necessary to drive
off the boat and proceed on the journey.
Providing the party has plenty of time
the trip can be made an ideal one. There
is no need to follow any particular road.
If desired the different mining towns in
Calaveras and Tuolumne counties can be
visited without going very far from the
direct road. The general direction of the
road from Stockton to the Yosemite is
south along the western slope of the Sierra
Nevadas, and every foot of it will be found
interesting, no matter whether the party
travels close to the foothills or down the
center OF the San Joaquin Valley. The
latter route will show the great industries
of California and the former some of the
best that the State can boast of in grand
scenery.
The parties at present travelling down
the valley are very much alike. As to sex
they are about evenly divided, and a
more care-free people it would be hard to
| find. Business has been left behind them,
and the young people are making the best
! of the long holiday before returning to
desks, store or school. Usually there are
| two tents, but in some cases there are
! three. Almost as soon as day breaks
everybody is awake, and, long before
people in San Francisco think of getting
up, have had their breakfasts and pro-
ceeded on their way. Travel is always
slow, and if there is anything to be seen
they have only to stop and see it and pro-
ceed when they are ready.
| Many of the parties of walkers to Yo-
semitic have covered twenty miles a day,
| and most of the ladies have surprised
themselves at the amount of ground they
got over when they didn't even try. Most
of the parties, however, take ten days for
the trip from Stockton.
The stay in the Valley, Big Trees and at
Wawona and other points OF interest can
be regulated to suit the party.
The homeward journey is frequently
made the same as the outward 1ourney.
But the most common way is to drive to
Merced and finish by rail. People who
have made this trip are delighted with it,
particularly IS it is fashionable this year
| to walk to the Yosemite Valley,