The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-31

N ALIFORNIA has some Of the most
IA interesting parks in the world-na-
~ tionnl parks forest reserves-con-
troHed by the government protected by
It and thrown open to the people.
A short time ago hgurarively speaking.
the big trees Of the Yosemite region were
being cut down and the region devastated
by sheep. man and beast; but most Of this
region Is now under government control,
and troops kept in the park to drive ont
all depredators of all kinds. 1t Is a sin
gular fact that there are thousands OF
intelligent human beings who can see no
reason why they should not cut down and
saw up q tree 6OOO years old and It Is
fortunate that there are 10 times as many
Eho believe that men holding such views
should not be allowed to 90 at large; and
8 Is this sentiment that has brought
about 1he forest reserves and the nauional
parks
The Sierra Nevada md the Southern
slerras-fhe Sierra Madre-bave in a few
years. become exceedingly popular as
camping ground Formerly only tourists
went into them. but now thousands Of
Californiana enter the various passes. and
one meets people In the deepest solitudes
or 10 localities like Kings River Canon
that was comparatively unknown a few
years ago.
the approach to the Sierra Nevadas
Is through the San Joaquin Valley. which
10 summer is extremely hot, lying be-
tween the Sierra Nevada Range and the
Coast Mountains; but the heat and dust
Of the valley are soon forgotten when
the canons are entered and the mountains
close IN behind one.
No such wonder is known IN the world
as the Mariposa Big Tree Grove. and
TO spend a week or more amid these soil
tudes. sleeping among trees of such size.
camping out or sleeping on the ground
beside and beneath them. Is to some men
one Of the great privileges TO be had in
California. The Big Tree Grove is eight
miles from Wawona, and the forest,
which covers an area Of about two miles
square, stands on a gentle slope Of the
mountains, forming what Is known as the
upper and the lower grove. It is not the
largest. but is the easiest reached. and
contains trees that make the impression
OF a lifetime upon the average person.
For years the Yosemite and It's adjacent
big trees was a secret hidden away in
the heart OF the forest and known only
TO the few natives who happened to cross
the range Mt this point from the desert
Beyond; aud we can Imagine the surprise
gnd terror OF the man who first came
upon this vast cash in the earth from
the East. stood, and looked down into It.
There are $50 Jrees IN the lower grove
and s25 IN the upper. splendid spires
stepping stones that connect today with
the time when the Christian era began.
The effect Of the big trees on different
people varies. As write I have one IN
VIEW see It every day in Pasadena,
Gala young one. not over 80 feet in
height. yet few people pass It by without
turning to look at It again. There IS no
other tree Ike Ct; fits trunk grows direct
y upward-largl. firm, imposing for the
amount OF foliage but the message that
It carries TO me Is OF something built to
Withstand the fires and storms Of cen
turtles IT IS as though Washlngton's
Monument or Bunker Hin should throw
out foliage md become trees
The trees Of the Mariposa Forest are
disappearing TO some-thcy do not seem
SO large at first. but day by day they
grow on the stroller. and at the end Of
two or three weeks the idea has entered
his mind thnt here IS something stu
pendous. something left behind in the
race OF time and eternity. The lofty
pillars grow into the mind, there Is a
majesty or beauty to them that takes
entire possession OF one ana you return
again and again and hunt for new and
different points Of view.
They stand among other trees IN
park. the beauty OF which cannot fully
be described. The ground Is often Gov
cred with mountain flowers. and one Is
impressed with their lack Of verdure and
leaves for SO large a tree; verdure and
foliage which often appear more Ike a
Green haze or strnfst OF pale apple
green"
why these trees are found here and
nowhere else is due doubtless to the
eauabIs climate Of california. Their
seeds are extremely small and light-a