Year: 1874

Hite'S Cove" In going there we
passed over q long grade and when
nearly to the bottom of the mountain
we came to ware house and then the
road ends and trail begins. After
leaving Hite's Cove we followed a
very steep trail up the mountains
again for long distance and then OBJ
tanned magnificent view. AS we
wound down the other side of this
mountain, our whole attention was
taken in looking at the scenery, lis
tening to the birds and the waters of
the Merced river below. Our trail
lies along this river until we get into
the valley. AT times our narrow
path winds around high bluffs hun
dreds of feet high and the same below.
1t began to grow dark and we were
getting hungry and tired. A COM
Portable hotel would at that moment
have been more welcome than the
great white cliffs that no doubt are
very good. We knew the hotel was
not far off and the stable man said the
mule knew every step and would go
straight to it. Strangely, we passed
the dollhouse without noticing it or
being noticed, so great was our anxi-
ETY. to get on. At last we reached the
hotel, where we had an excellent sup
per, though late one.


The next morning / was up bright
and early to explore the valley. L rec
ognized all the prominent objects of
interest at once, having seen numer-
Gus Photographic views of them.
There was "Sentinel Rocku above the
hotel, the "Three Brothers" and the
yosemite Falls" opposite, and down
the valley Gel Captain" b" Three
Graces,u Cathedral Rocks and
"Three Sisters" 1 was dazzled with
the beauty of the scene, it was so much
grander than / had dreamed of. Fol-
lowing branch of the Merced, we
came to Mirror Lake, in whose waters
are reflected "The South Dome," the
grandest cliff of all, Washington
Column" ant. Watkins" and "Clouds
Rest" Strangely, the reflections
X


owing, [ suppose, to the fact that dis
tances looking down seem greater than
above us. We found clumsy boat
on the lake, nearly full of water; but
by bailing it out we got it fairly afloat
and rowed up the lake some distance.
A dog that followed US from the hotel
swan after us, not liking to stay on
the bank alone, though the water was
iau cold A flor row inp Soma mo yyn
thought we would see what we could
do afoot, although the ground was COW
cred with snow; but we found walking
difficult, and went back to the boat
and floated along for time with the
current, which was quite swift. Re-
turning to our starting point, we
thought we would try the experiment
of bath in the lake, it was so clear
and beautiful. Yes, it was cold; but
we made rouslng fire on the shore.
We spent nearly a day on and around
the lake. / shall not attempt to de-
scribe what so many have attempted
and failed, but / shall ever remember
the beauly Of Mirror Lake and its re-
Elections.


Returning to where the Merced
branches, we visited Mr.. Lemons s
garden and obtained some fine apples
nearly every one of which weighed q
pound, which he had laid by for the
tourists of next Summer. 1t was late
when we returned to the hotel. On
the way we met some bright, healthy
children that were raised in the val
ley. Before I returned l went to the
foot of the falls to look up and try to
realize their immense height.


The next morning after breakfast
we set out again on our explorations.
We started for "Glazier Point" trav-
cling along the side of a cliff long
distance. At last we got into snow
four feet deep and lost the
trail, but we were determined
to obtain q view from Sentinel Dome.
We knew the direction and trudged
on, but every step brought us up to
our waists in snow, and the mountains
were steep. By spreading out our
coats on the snow and moving on our
hands and feet over it we managed to
progress, though slowly; but we were
paid for all our trouble in fine views
from different points on the way.
Coming down was not so easy as we
thought it would be. Such time as
we had sinking into the snow and get
ting out again! Sliding down was not
success, for 1 tried it. Attempting
to hurry, I landed on my head several
times. Oh, this would have been a
charming walk if it had not been for
the snow. The view was ever chang
ing as we descended.


In the afternoon l started on my
homeward way. How l longed to stay
longer! there were so many objects OF
| interest. The ride back was delight
full. I saw the beautiful Bridal Veil
and Cascades again, and El CAPTAIN
| towering up so high that large pines
on it looked like shrubs. On my re-
turn I met the toll-man that L had
passed, and he thought me guide.
Well, really, my clothes looked as
though I had been some time in
| the mountains. AS descended mist
rose and gave everything a strange
appearance below. There seemed tC
be islands and trees away off in space
and came near stepping onto moth.
ing several times. AT last we reached
harbor of safety for the night. Ir


the morning we passed a train of burroS
! packed with eatables for persons iI
| the valley. Each animal carries about
| $50 pounds. The mine near Hite's
| Cove is said to be rich. There is a tun


mel here 1,500 feet long and an upright


shaft 900 feet deep. These it has taker


five years to dig. There is twenty


stamp mill and forty men at worf


here. The trail by way of Hite's Cove


and up the Merced is passable two o.


three months earlier than any othel


one. L have wondered that it is no


travelled more by tourists. After some


trifiing incidents on the way,I reached


San Francisco safely, having beer


absent little over week.