The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-08-15

stsil alive. We drove through the
famous Wawona tree which is the tun-
neled tree so often pictured in American
scenery We then went on SIX miles to
the village of Wawona where we camp
ed the first night.
On the morning of the fourth, after
we had enjoyed a regular camping
OUT breakfast, we went to Yosemite
National Park. Yosemite is an Indian
word meaning the Great Grizzly.
When we reached Chinquapin, which
is rangers station in the park, we
took side trip up very steep grade,
few miles of which the grade Is 80 per
cent. and through dense forest for four
teen miles to Glacier point. Although
it was very long climb we were well
repaid by the sights that we saw from
this place. Glacier Point gives the best
view to be had of Yosemite Valley as
you can see where the two gIacie s came
down the mountain and cut two grea
canyons which immerge just below the
wonderful Half Dome rock into the
Yosemite Valley.
Glacier Point has an elevation of TIA
feet above sea level and 1854 feet above
the valley floor. Just across on the 3D.
poslte mountain at about the same
heights we could see Nevada falls which
has a drop of 594 feet sheer and farther
down in the MERGED river were the Yer
nal falls which drop BIT feet The roar
from these falls come to US both loud
and faint in accordance to the strength
of the breeze. Farther down the val
ley we could see plainly the famous
Yosemite Falls.
The rock peaks to be seen from this
points are: Yosemite Point 6,935 feet
above sea level; Washington Column S.
9l2 feet; Watkins mountain 1926 feet:
North Dome 1851 feet, and Half Dome
with an elevation of S,852 feet. The
elevation of the valley floor is {, $50 feet
and the distance of the difference of
these elevations with the valley floor is
mostly made in almost perpendicular
sheer of rock. In the distance we could
see much higher range of the Sierra
Nevadas on which still remained some
snow.
We looked down on Camp Curry in
the valley and the many automobiles
that were around it all looked very
small from that height and reminded US
OF swarm of ants working around
hill.
AS it was getting late in the evening
we fastened to enter the valley. The
descent was made by going 27 miles
around and then the grade made inter-
esting work for the chauffeurs and we
found camp ground directly under
Glacier Point on the bank of the MERGED
river. The MERGED river is tributary
of the San Joaquin river.
We stopped on our way in to take
look from Inspiration point. This view
is certainly pleasing to the eve of anv
nature lover with the Ell Captain rock
rising comparatively smooth and per-
pendicular rock 1904 feet in a solid
mass above the valley floor, guarding
the gateway to wonderland. Opposite
ElCapitan are the Bridal Veil falls, and
east of the falls, up the valley, are the
Sentinel Rocks and back of them the
Sentinel Dome Still farther I'D the
valley towers the Half Dome and back
of all these we could see Clouds Rest
with an elevation of 1924 feet, which
is the highest point near Yosemite.
We camped four nights in the valley
and spent the days in hiking and auto
trips over the trails and roads. One
morning two wild ducks swan down the
river by our camp ground, we also saw
one deer when on the way to Glacier
Point. No fire arms are allowed to be
taken into the park on account of the
! wild animals.
Friday we visited the foot of Lower
Yosemite Falls and in the afternoon
took hiking trip to the beautiful Yer
nal Falls. Saturday morning we visit
ed Mirror Lake before sunrise which is
one of the prettiest sights have ever
seen. Before the sun shines upon the
surface of this lake it is perfect mir
ror rejecting the massive mountains of
rock, the trees and everything that sur
round it. 1t is indeed beautiful.
Our Swiss comrade went back from
the lake and gave US the Swiss yodle
which echoed among the rocks and we
could most imagine we were in Swift
zerland. He has Travelled among the
Alps and says he did not find them more
beautiful than Yosemite.
One of the smaller but very pretty
rocks are the Cathedral Spires which
look like the ruins of cathedral with
two main towers and number of small
spires.
Saturday morning we visited Bridal
Veil Falls and were dampened by the
spray although we were still some dis
lance from the foot of them. We
thought these falls were really the
prettiest to consider beauty alone. The
water has drop of 62O feet and there
is warm wind which the Indians called
Tahona for they thought it an evil spirit
and eYaded going near the falls fer that
reason; the height, the wind and the
dash against the rock turn much of the
falls into heavy rain and white mist.