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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1884)
THE WEST SHORE. 239 K.. visited it, though it was afterwards learned that the Indian namo was "Ah-wah-nc," and tho name of iU original occupants "Ah-wah-ne-chee." It was first ex plored in the summer of 1855 by J. M. Hutchings, author of " Scenes of Wonder and Curiosity iu California," who took with him Thomas Ayres, an artist of considerable note in San Francisco, to make sketches of the wonderful scenory. It is chiefly through tho exertions and writings of Mr. Hutchings that tho fame of this mar velous valley was spread abroad, and the name of Yosomitn be. came us familiar to the jMioplo of every land as the ancient Itock of Gibraltar. Ho learned from the Indians Hint tho propor pronuncia tion of tho namo is " Yo-ham-i-to," but, undoubtedly corroct as it is, it never has, and probably never will, come into general use. In 18(il, after the val ley had become noted, and was annually vis itcd by Hight-seers who BOUTU, OI HALF. DOM. wore witling to (ler- go the hardships of travel necessary to reach it, Congress granted it to the State of California, upon the condition that it lie forever dedicated to the uso and enjoyment of the people. It is now under the control of a lioard of coinini ssioners apiointed by tho Governor, who have by purchase of private toll roads and the con struction of high ways, bridges, etc., rendered n trip to tho valley ensy of accom plishment. Excel lent hotels can lie found there, or, if a party prefer camp life, there is no objection to their making tho tour of tho valley in that manner, conveying their camp equipage m mm L 4 and provisions upon tho back of n pack animal, and lliuuiBulvw making lh journey uiioii Hmlulu homes. The Yosomite Valley lies on tho headwaters of tho Morced Kiver, in tho very heart of tho Sierrn Nevada Mountains. It is eight miles long, and varies from one half to a mile in width, ooutaining nlsmt 8,480 acres of ground. It is 3,050 feet idmvo tho level of tho sea, and is surrounded by an almost unbroken wall of granite rock rising alovo it to a height varying from 2.5(H) to 3,!MX) feet, and oveil.joked by mountain jteaks which pierce tho clouds 10,000 feet alsivo tho sea level. Tho scene which if. . t A ft NOIITII IMIMK AND IIOYAIi AIUW, MllUtUtt UKlt, opens out Isiforo the traveler's eye at many stints, while descending the tortuous trail, is one whose rellection ran never grow dim on the glass of memory. Though not as grand a view as is offered from many MinU in tho valley itself, yet being tho first revelation of tho wonders Nature has hidden in those mountain wilds, tho impres sion made is the most vivid and enduring. In one long sweep tho eye encompasses a large portion of the valley, taking in tho lofty granite walls, tho guardian domes of rock, and the numerous waterfalls pouring over tho canyon's edge and plunging down hundreds, and even thousands, of feet to form tho Mer ced lUver, tho crystal stream which meanders no peacefully through its entire length. Entering 4 at the lower cud and following up the course of the stream, which llows midway lie. twoen the opNNh ing canyon walls nearly the entire distance, the first great wonder en countered is the Bridal Veil Full, tho "To-ho-no" :9