The mirror., 1921-12-22
VALLEY OF SCENIC BEAUTY
By Mr.. E. W. L.

~ III the neaTt OF the olerra nevada
IA Mountains, lying in the eastern
part of California, at distance of
about one hundred and forty miles op-
posite San Francisco, is situated one of
the most diversified and beautiful recrea-
tion regions in the world.
Who does not know of this scenic para
disc? And yet, how few comparatively
speaking, possess the distinction Of having
seen this Incompatible wonderland in all
its glory, charm, and enchantment.
This land of beauty is known to most
of you as the Yosemite National Park;
covering an area of about seventeen hun
dred square miles, and in its central Sec
ton lies the world-famous Yosemite Val
ley; which many years ago was named
after an Indian chief, interpreted mean
ing, "Valley of the grizzley BEAR" and
was first discovered by white men in
1881. In 1864, thirteen years later Con-
gress gave the valley to the state of Cali
fornia to be "held for public use, resort,
and recreation" and to be "inalienable for
all time"
This Incompatible scenic masterpiece
encompasses nearly eleven. hundred square
miles, which John Muir best describes as
comprising "the head waters of the Tuo-
lumne and Merced rivers, two of the
most songful streams in the world; innum-
cradle lakes and waterfalls and smooth
silky lawns; the noblest forests, the loftiest
granite domes, the deepest ice-sculptured
canyons, the brightest crystalline pave
ments, and snowy mountains soaring into
the sky twelve and thirteen thousand feet
arrayed in open ranks and spiry pin
nacled groups partially separated by tre-
mendous canyons and amphitheatres; gar
dens on their sunny brows avalanches
laundering down their long white slopes
cataracts roaring gray and foaming in
the crooked rugged gorges, and glaciers
in their shadowy recesses working in
silence, slowly completing their sculp-
lures; newborn lakes at their feet, blue
and green, free or encumbered with drift
ing icebergs like miniature Arctic oceans,
shining, sparkling, calm as stars.
Nowhere will you see the Majestic
operations of nature more clearly revealed
beside the frailest, most gentle and peace
full things. Nearly all the park is pro-
found solitude. Yet it is full of charming
company, full of Gods thoughts, place
of peace and safety amid the most exalted
grandeur and eager enthusiastic action,
new song, place of beginnings abound
ing in first lessons on life, mountain
building, eternal, invincible, unbreakable
order; with sermons in stones, storms trees,
flowers, and animals brimful of humanity"
1t is true that this glorious park en-
braces a superb variation of scenic Won
der; unique in character, and its extra
ordinary beauty is overwhelming, aluring
the admiring wanderer on and on.
One feature of the park is its accessible
ity. The best of roads reach the lower
part of the valley; while the Tioga Road
CIOSSCS PdIk IIOIl cast W WCSt LII
northern section, affording a new route
across the range and at the same time
making accessible this scenic wilderness,
which for many years was only visited by
the most hardy and enthusiastic campers.
Now the park may be reached from
Merced, over the National Highway; or
from San Francisco, over the Lincoln and
Park Highways, the best of roads, while
its eastern entrance is connected with the
National Highway, which parallels the
eastern side of the range. Railroads con-
nected with the entire continent reach
close into the foothills; thus, making the
park most accessible to every one.
The best of hotels and ideal public
camps are situated throughout the park,
which affords one their choice of moun-