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