The San Francisco call., 1897-04-13

ced, where q coach of the Coulterville
Stage Company will carry them over a
picturesque road to the great scenic val
ley.
The fare over this route has been figured
down as fine as possible. and the cost OF
the round trip will be only S29 80. BY the
route via Raymond the fare is $40, while
time consumed is about the same over
both.
Another point strongly in favor of the
proposed new line is that the cost of hotel
b lis will be materially less at the stop
ping places en- route.
The boats of the California Navigati on
and Improvement Company will leave
this City al P. NJ and arrive at Stockton
in the morning. Here the trains of the
Valley road will depart at 7:20 A. NJ and
be met by a well-equipped stage or carry
all at Merced. Departure will be taken
from the latter point at $3.50 A. NJ At
Coulterville passengers will put up for the
night and resume their journey at 6 A. NJ.
arriving in the valley at 4 P NJ. The en-
tire trip will be made between San Fran
cisco and Yosemite Valley in forty-six
hours. 1t will be noted that the stage
will run only during daylight.
No pains will be spared to make this
the most popular route of the day. As
D. K. Stoddard expressed the disposition
OF all engaged in the enterprise: I'VE
shall give tourists ali that We possibly can
for their money"
The stage ride is replete with interest
ing features. After leaving Merced the
first attractive point is Merced Falls
After leaving them the stage threads its
way among rolling hills and through na-
ture's parks of oaks, pines, shrubs and
wild flowers. 1t also passes large quartz
vein, known as the "mother lode, said to
run through several counties, and along
which rich gold mines have been discov-
cred.
From CouIterville, where the passengers
Will rest for the night long hill of easy
grade is ascended, from the west of which
a beautiful panorama OF the town and sur
rounding country can be seen. The first
grand view of the snowclad Sierras is also
OBJ aimed from this point.
Bower Cave is a freak OF nature some
distance beyond Coulteryille. 1t is a
grotto-like formation in limestone about
one hundred feet in length and ninety in
width. 1t is entered by an opening in the
top four feet wide, through which wild
grapevines anu tall naples peep. Down
in the abyss there Is a small pool of water
forty feet deep, on which floats a little
boat.
After leaving this cave the scenery on
the road grows wilder and more beautiful.
mountain hotel, the stage enters the Mer-
ced grove OF big trees-one of those re-
markable parks of the wonderful Sequoia
gigantea found here anc there among the
forests of the Sierras. Some of these tow
erng trees show girth of from forty five
10 ninety feet.
At Buena Vista Gap is obtained the
irst glimpse OF the peaks and mountain
walls of the Yosemite Valley and shortly
afterward the big meadows are reached.
where the Indians formerly congregated
in large nun bers. Here the stage begins
the descent to the Merced Canyon, where
the first view is had of the cliffs that wall
in the foaming waters of the Merced
River.
Two miles this side of the western en-
trance to the valley proper the Cascade
Falls are encountered. They are formed
by two streams uniting 700 feet above the
road and making the leap together. This
is one of the most picturesque spots out
side the valley.
The entire road is in fine shape for trav-
cling and will continue so until October.