DOCSLIB.ORG

The Tioga Road

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Tioga Road The Tioga Road A History 1883-1961 Mather Plaque at Tioga Pass Published by Yosemite Association in cooperation with the National Park Service. First published in June, 1961; revised 1975; 1980 The Tioga Road A History 1883-1961 by Keith A. Trexler, Park Naturalist It has been called the "road to broken larvae, fly pupae, baskets, rabbit and buf­ dreams." Perhaps, though, its many miles falo robes, salt and obsidian. Finds of of unexcelled scenic grandeur have fulfill­ these materials, not native west of the ed the desires, the deep-felt longing for a Sierra, help us trace the early Indian contact with nature's wilderness, even paths. Numerous highways of today, and the dreams of many thousands who have the Tioga Road, follow these aboriginal passed over its often twisting, ever-chang­ trade routes. (3) ing course. The Mono Trail, an Indian footpath from Crane Flat, through Tamarack Flat Before the Road via Tenaya Lake to Tuolumne Meadows, Trails have existed across the Sierra was used by the first party of non-Indians since the first large mammals came hun­ to pass through what is now Yosemite dreds of thousands of years ago.Grazing National Park. Joseph Reddeford Walker animals — sheep, deer and even bear — and his party trekking over the Sierra, move up the Sierran slopes to find tender probably used the Indian pathway, evi­ young shoots as snowlines recede. Others dent even though many parts were cover­ travel over the passes seeking salt. John ed with snow. The group endured great Muir noted that especially in rugged and hardships and took over a month to make inaccessible terrain the trails of "white the crossing from Bridgeport Valley to the men, Indians, bear, wild sheep, etc., be San Joaquin. They were undoubtedly the found converging in the best places." (1) first white men to see the Giant Next to appear were the pedestrian In­ Sequoias. (4, 5) dians, whose midden piles near El Portal No records of man's use of the trails show evidences of transsierran trade from exist for the next 19 years. In 1852 1st Lt. at least as early as 2,000 BC (2). Indians Tredwell Moore and his troopers of the did not travel for pleasure; their purpose 2nd Infantry, pursued a group of Indians was trade. Acorns, berries, beads, paint wanted for the death of two prospectors ingredients, arrows and baskets were in Yosemite Valley, to Tenaya Lake and traded by the west slope Miwoks for the from there over the Mono Trail to Bloody Eastern Mono's pine nuts, pandora moth Canyon. During the trip Moore noticed 1 rich-looking outcrops and brought back baby, visited Yosemite Valley. This group, some samples of gold to Mariposa. A- perhaps the first to use the Tioga route mong those who saw Moore's samples purely for pleasure, journeyed over the was Leroy Vining, of whom we shall hear Sierra via Tuolumne Meadows and Tena­ more later. (5) ya Lake, taking the Coulterville Trail to Moore's expedition reports interested Yosemite Valley. (11) Other evidence in­ James M. Hutchings in bringing the first dicates that the Mono Trail was being tourists into the Yosemite Valley, and, ac­ used for tourist travel, especially by cording to Brockman, "public interest in hikers from Yosemite Valley heading for mining opportunities east of the Sierra Tuolumne Meadows. (12) was kindled, resulting in the development John Muir's first visit to this spectacular and use of a trail in 1857, from Big Oak country was in 1869 with a band of sheep. Flat through the Tenaya Lake-Tuolumne In traveling to the meadows, John and his Meadows region. This route approx­ charges followed the general course of the imated the old Mono Trail and was for- present Tioga Road. (13) In the same year runner of the present Tioga Road." (6) J. H. Soper and E. G. Field with only In 1852 Leroy (or Lee) Vining led a blankets and a "supply of crackers and group of prospectors over the Sierra via sardines" hiked over Mono Pass, met a Bloody Canyon and generally explored sheepherder (Muir?) in the Meadows, and the region. Although Vining settled in followed the trail out to Coulterville. (14) what is now Lee Vining Canyon he appa­ By 1870 railroads had come to within a rently did no mining. Instead he home- few miles of the west end of the Mono steaded about two miles up-canyon from Trail. In 1871 Copperopolis was a termi­ the present power plant and built a saw­ nus of the lines from San Francisco. Tra­ mill, thus being the first to settle in the vel to Yosemite Valley was increasing. Mono area. For a time he supplied lumber More than likely, visitors took side trips to the eastside mining camps, but his ca­ over the trail to Tuolumne but no reer ended in an Aurora saloon where he records exist of their trials and tribula­ accidentally shot and killed himself. (8) tions. The Big Oak Flat Road reached Although no rush followed Lt. Moore's Crocker's in 1871 and Yosemite Valley in discoveries, there was in 1857 an exodus 1874, but still there was no road to Yo- from the Tuolumne mines to the Dogtown semite's high country. (7) An economic and Monoville settlements near Mono boost was needed. Lake. (5) Much of the old Mono Trail was The Mines used by the gold-seekers and the route Although Lt. Moore's discoveries ex­ was well blazed and cleared by Tom cited the Mariposa miners, nothing in the McGee "following very closely on the old way of true mines seemed to come from foot trail". Bunnell makes the point that the reports. Early in 1860 a prospecting Indian trails were unfit for pack animals. party consisting of a justice of the peace, He felt they "had been purposely run over an ex-sea captain, a surveyor, a dentist ground impassible to horses,..." (9) and a professor was prospecting in the The early 1860's saw the coming of Bloody Canyon area. The dentist, George Josiah D. Whitney of the California Geo­ W. "Doc" Chase, remarked, while camp­ logical Survey. His description of the ed near Tioga Pass, that if they could but headwaters of the Tuolumne was publish­ spend one more day in the area he could ed in 1865, with Tioga Pass (which he locate and claim "the biggest silver ledge called MacLane's) being noted as 600' ever discovered." The next day he placed lower than the present route (Mono Pass) a flattened tin can, on which he scratched and perhaps a better transcontinental the location notice with his knife, on route. (10) Tioga Hill. The ore he carried out was In the summer of 1858 a party from never assayed as he and his partners ar­ Mono Lake, including a woman and rived at Monoville just when the Aurora 2 Great Sierra Mine Cabin, Tioga Hill strike was made. Each made money but produce pay dirt. (15) none ever returned to the "thundering big On February 25, 1882 the Great Sierra silver ledge" on Tioga Hill. (15) Tunnel was begun by twelve miners Some 15 years later, William Brusky, working three 8-hour shifts. Soon it was Jr., while herding his father's sheep, found evident that drilling machinery would be a rusty pick and shovel and a flattened tin needed. (17) This was purchased and can, on which he could make out, shipped to Lundy, on the east side of the "Notice, we the undersigned" and the date Sierra. The Homer Mining Index report- 1860. Having heard of the lost mine, ed:"The transportation of 16,000 lbs. of Brusky took ore samples to his father, machinery across one of the highest and who tested them and pronounced them most rugged branches of the Sierra worthless. Young Brusky did not discour­ Nevada mountains in mid-winter where age easily. The next summer he "sank a no roads exist, over vast fields and huge small hole in the ledge and procured some embankments of yielding snow and in better looking ore." It was not until 1877 the face of furious windstorms laden with that an assay found the ore to be rich in drifting snow, and the mercury dancing silver. attendance on zero, is a task calculated to Claims were not actually made until appall the sturdiest mountaineer; yet J. C. 1878 when nine were established and the Kemp, manager of the Great Sierra Con­ Tioga Mining District organized. (15) The solidated Silver Co. is now engaged in "city" of Dana, site of the Great Sierra such an undertaking, and with every pro­ Mine, was given a post office in 1880. (16) spect of success at an early day—so com­ In 1881 the Great Sierra Consolidated Sil­ plete has been the arrangement of details ver Company, financed with eastern and so intelligently directed is every capital, bought up all claims on Tioga Hill movement. The first ascent, from Mill and started drilling a tunnel destined to go Creek to the mouth of Lake Canyon, is 1784 feet into the mountain, but never to 990 feet, almost perpendicular. From that 3 today, and then the work will be pushed day and night, with two shifts of men." It took Kemp and his men more than two months, from March 4 until May 6, to move the eight tons a distance of about nine miles. It is said that Kemp's remark at the end of the back-breaking task was, "It's no wonder that men grow old!" (15) The machinery was installed and put to work immediately upon its arrival at the mine.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The George Wright Forum
    The George Wright Forum The GWS Journal of Parks, Protected Areas & Cultural Sites volume 34 number 3 • 2017 Society News, Notes & Mail • 243 Announcing the Richard West Sellars Fund for the Forum Jennifer Palmer • 245 Letter from Woodstock Values We Hold Dear Rolf Diamant • 247 Civic Engagement, Shared Authority, and Intellectual Courage Rebecca Conard and John H. Sprinkle, Jr., guest editors Dedication•252 Planned Obsolescence: Maintenance of the National Park Service’s History Infrastructure John H. Sprinkle, Jr. • 254 Shining Light on Civil War Battlefield Preservation and Interpretation: From the “Dark Ages” to the Present at Stones River National Battlefield Angela Sirna • 261 Farming in the Sweet Spot: Integrating Interpretation, Preservation, and Food Production at National Parks Cathy Stanton • 275 The Changing Cape: Using History to Engage Coastal Residents in Community Conversations about Climate Change David Glassberg • 285 Interpreting the Contributions of Chinese Immigrants in Yosemite National Park’s History Yenyen F. Chan • 299 Nānā I Ke Kumu (Look to the Source) M. Melia Lane-Kamahele • 308 A Perilous View Shelton Johnson • 315 (continued) Civic Engagement, Shared Authority, and Intellectual Courage (cont’d) Some Challenges of Preserving and Exhibiting the African American Experience: Reflections on Working with the National Park Service and the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Pero Gaglo Dagbovie • 323 Exploring American Places with the Discovery Journal: A Guide to Co-Creating Meaningful Interpretation Katie Crawford-Lackey and Barbara Little • 335 Indigenous Cultural Landscapes: A 21st-Century Landscape-scale Conservation and Stewardship Framework Deanna Beacham, Suzanne Copping, John Reynolds, and Carolyn Black • 343 A Framework for Understanding Off-trail Trampling Impacts in Mountain Environments Ross Martin and David R.
    [Show full text]
  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK O C Y Lu H M Tioga Pass Entrance 9945Ft C Glen Aulin K T Ne Ee 3031M E R Hetc C Gaylor Lakes R H H Tioga Road Closed
    123456789 il 395 ra T Dorothy Lake t s A Bond C re A Pass S KE LA c i f i c IN a TW P Tower Peak Barney STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST Mary Lake Lake Buckeye Pass Twin Lakes 9572ft EMIGRANT WILDERNESS 2917m k H e O e O r N V C O E Y R TOIYABE NATIONAL FOREST N Peeler B A Lake Crown B C Lake Haystack k Peak e e S Tilden r AW W Schofield C TO Rock Island OTH IL Peak Lake RI Pass DG D Styx E ER s Matterhorn Pass l l Peak N a Slide E Otter F a Mountain S Lake ri e S h Burro c D n Pass Many Island Richardson Peak a L Lake 9877ft R (summer only) IE 3010m F LE Whorl Wilma Lake k B Mountain e B e r U N Virginia Pass C T O Virginia S Y N Peak O N Y A Summit s N e k C k Lake k c A e a C i C e L C r N r Kibbie d YO N C n N CA Lake e ACK AI RRICK K J M KE ia in g IN ir A r V T e l N k l U e e pi N O r C S O M Y Lundy Lake L Piute Mountain N L te I 10541ft iu A T P L C I 3213m T Smedberg k (summer only) Lake e k re e C re Benson Benson C ek re Lake Lake Pass C Vernon Creek Mount k r e o Gibson e abe Upper an r Volunteer McC le Laurel C McCabe E Peak rn Lake u Lake N t M e cCa R R be D R A Lak D NO k Rodgers O I es e PLEASANT EA H N EL e Lake I r l Frog VALLEY R i E k G K C E LA e R a e T I r r Table Lake V North Peak T T C N Pettit Peak A INYO NATIONAL FOREST O 10788ft s Y 3288m M t ll N Fa s Roosevelt ia A e Mount Conness TILT r r Lake Saddlebag ILL VALLEY e C 12590ft (summer only) h C Lake ill c 3837m Lake Eleanor ilt n Wapama Falls T a (summer only) N S R I Virginia c A R i T Lake f N E i MIGUEL U G c HETCHY Rancheria Falls O N Highway 120 D a MEADOW
    [Show full text]
  • Yosemite Guide Yosemite
    Yosemite Guide Yosemite Where to Go and What to Do in Yosemite National Park July 29, 2015 - September 1, 2015 1, September - 2015 29, July Park National Yosemite in Do to What and Go to Where NPS Photo NPS 1904. Grove, Mariposa Monarch, Fallen the astride Soldiers” “Buffalo Cavalry 9th D, Troop Volume 40, Issue 6 Issue 40, Volume America Your Experience Yosemite, CA 95389 Yosemite, 577 PO Box Service Park National US DepartmentInterior of the Year-round Route: Valley Yosemite Valley Shuttle Valley Visitor Center Upper Summer-only Routes: Yosemite Shuttle System El Capitan Fall Yosemite Shuttle Village Express Lower Shuttle Yosemite The Ansel Fall Adams l Medical Church Bowl i Gallery ra Clinic Picnic Area l T al Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System F e E1 5 P2 t i 4 m e 9 Campground os Mirror r Y 3 Uppe 6 10 2 Lake Parking Village Day-use Parking seasonal The Ahwahnee Half Dome Picnic Area 11 P1 1 8836 ft North 2693 m Camp 4 Yosemite E2 Housekeeping Pines Restroom 8 Lodge Lower 7 Chapel Camp Lodge Day-use Parking Pines Walk-In (Open May 22, 2015) Campground LeConte 18 Memorial 12 21 19 Lodge 17 13a 20 14 Swinging Campground Bridge Recreation 13b Reservations Rentals Curry 15 Village Upper Sentinel Village Day-use Parking Pines Beach E7 il Trailhead a r r T te Parking e n il i w M in r u d 16 o e Nature Center El Capitan F s lo c at Happy Isles Picnic Area Glacier Point E3 no shuttle service closed in winter Vernal 72I4 ft Fall 2I99 m l E4 Mist Trai Cathedral ail Tr op h Beach Lo or M ey ses erce all only d R V iver E6 Nevada To & Fall The Valley Visitor Shuttle operates from 7 am to 10 pm and serves stops in numerical order.
    [Show full text]
  • Inyo National Forest Visitor Guide
    >>> >>> Inyo National Forest >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Visitor Guide >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> $1.00 Suggested Donation FRED RICHTER Inspiring Destinations © Inyo National Forest Facts “Inyo” is a Paiute xtending 165 miles Bound ary Peak, South Si er ra, lakes and 1,100 miles of streams Indian word meaning along the California/ White Mountain, and Owens River that provide habitat for golden, ENevada border between Headwaters wildernesses. Devils brook, brown and rainbow trout. “Dwelling Place of Los Angeles and Reno, the Inyo Postpile Nation al Mon ument, Mam moth Mountain Ski Area National Forest, established May ad min is tered by the National Park becomes a sum mer destination for the Great Spirit.” 25, 1907, in cludes over two million Ser vice, is also located within the mountain bike en thu si asts as they acres of pris tine lakes, fragile Inyo Na tion al For est in the Reds ride the chal leng ing Ka mi ka ze Contents Trail from the top of the 11,053-foot mead ows, wind ing streams, rugged Mead ow area west of Mam moth Wildlife 2 Sierra Ne va da peaks and arid Great Lakes. In addition, the Inyo is home high Mam moth Moun tain or one of Basin moun tains. El e va tions range to the tallest peak in the low er 48 the many other trails that transect Wildflowers 3 from 3,900 to 14,494 feet, pro vid­ states, Mt. Whitney (14,494 feet) the front coun try of the forest. Wilderness 4-5 ing diverse habitats that sup port and is adjacent to the lowest point Sixty-five trailheads provide Regional Map - North 6 vegetation patterns ranging from in North America at Badwater in ac cess to over 1,200 miles of trail Mono Lake 7 semiarid deserts to high al pine Death Val ley Nation al Park (282 in the 1.2 million acres of wil der- meadows.
    [Show full text]
  • National Park Service a History
    National Park Service A History National parks have been called "the George Catlin, noted painter of the best idea America ever had." The American Indian, first expressed the idea of preserving special natural national park idea. On a trip to the and cultural places in public Dakotas in 1832, Catlin became ownership ran contrary to the concerned about the westward prevailing national mood during the movement's effects on Indian 19th century, when most Americans saw civilization, wildlife, and nature as something to be subdued and wilderness. He wrote of this dream history as what had happened in the that they might be "by some great Old World. But as the wilderness protecting policy of the government receded and remnants of prehistoric preserved ... in a magnificent park civilization and revolutionary A nation's park, containing man landmarks were lost, some saw the and beast, in all wildness and need to protect outstanding examples freshness of their nature's beauty!" of the nation's heritage. In 1864 the Federal Government first Four more national parks were created moved to protect a grand natural in the 1890s: Sequoia, General Grant landscape when it granted Yosemite (forerunner of Kings Canyon), Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Yosemite (to which California later Grove to the State of California to returned Yosemite Valley and the be "held for public use, resort, and Mariposa Grove), and Mount Rainier. recreation ... inalienable for all Without funds or staff to manage the time." Eight years later in 1872, parks, the Secretary of the Interior following exploration of the arranged with the Secretary of War to Yellowstone region in the Montana and have Army engineers and cavalry units Wyoming territories, Congress develop and protect most of them.
    [Show full text]
  • Directors of the NPS: a Legacy of Leadership & Foresight Letters •LETTERS What You Missed
    RANGThe Journal of the Association of ENational Par Rk Rangers ANPR ~6£SL Stewards for parks, visitors and each other The Association for All National Park Employees Vol. 21, No. 3 • Summer 2005 Directors of the NPS: A Legacy of Leadership & Foresight Letters •LETTERS What you missed ... I unfortunately did not attend the Rapid City Ranger Rendezvous (November 2004) and re­ Stay in touch! cently read about it in Ranger. There I found the Signed letters to the editor of 100 words or less may be published, space permitting. Please text of the keynote speech by ranger Alden Board of Directors Miller. If for no other reason, reading his include address and daytime phone. Ranger speech made me for the first time truly regret reserves the right to edit letters for grammar or Officers not attending. What a perfect synthesis of length. Send to Editor, 26 S. Mt. Vernon Club President Lee Werst, TICA Secretary Melanie Berg, BADI. history and vision in simple, powerful words! Road, Golden, CO 80401; [email protected]. Treasurer Wendy Lauritzen, WABA It is a great tribute that he has chosen to work with the NPS (and, hopefully, become an Board Members YES! You are welcome to join ANPR ANPR member!). If members haven't read Education 6V; Training Kendell Thompson, ARHO even ifyou don't work for the National Park Fund Raising Sean McGuinness, WASO this, they should, either in the Winter 2004/05 Sen/ice. All friends of the national parks are Interna! Communic. Bill Supernaugh, BADE Ranger (page 8), or at the excellent and infor­ eligible for membership.
    [Show full text]
  • Yosemite, Lake Tahoe & the Eastern Sierra
    Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe PCC EXTENSION YOSEMITE, LAKE TAHOE & THE EASTERN SIERRA FEATURING THE ALABAMA HILLS - MAMMOTH LAKES - MONO LAKE - TIOGA PASS - TUOLUMNE MEADOWS - YOSEMITE VALLEY AUGUST 8-12, 2021 ~ 5 DAY TOUR TOUR HIGHLIGHTS w Travel the length of geologic-rich Highway 395 in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada with sightseeing to include the Alabama Hills, the June Lake Loop, and the Museum of Lone Pine Film History w Visit the Mono Lake Visitors Center and Alabama Hills Mono Lake enjoy an included picnic and time to admire the tufa towers on the shores of Mono Lake w Stay two nights in South Lake Tahoe in an upscale, all- suites hotel within walking distance of the casino hotels, with sightseeing to include a driving tour around the north side of Lake Tahoe and a narrated lunch cruise on Lake Tahoe to the spectacular Emerald Bay w Travel over Tioga Pass and into Yosemite Yosemite Valley Tuolumne Meadows National Park with sightseeing to include Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, Olmstead ITINERARY Point and sights in the Yosemite Valley including El Capitan, Half Dome and Embark on a unique adventure to discover the majesty of the Sierra Nevada. Born of fire and ice, the Yosemite Village granite peaks, valleys and lakes of the High Sierra have been sculpted by glaciers, wind and weather into some of nature’s most glorious works. From the eroded rocks of the Alabama Hills, to the glacier-formed w Enjoy an overnight stay at a Yosemite-area June Lake Loop, to the incredible beauty of Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, this tour features lodge with a private balcony overlooking the Mother Nature at her best.
    [Show full text]
  • Tuolumne Planning Workbook
    National Park Service Yosemite National Park U.S. Department of the Interior Tuolumne Planning Workbook Report on Progress from Fall 2007 to Present Tuolumne River Plan July 2008 Message from the Superintendent The Purpose of this National Park Service U.S. Dept. of the Interior Dear Friends of the Tuolumne River, and how they might be translated into site plans for Tuolumne Meadows. Planning Workbook Much has happened in the past year, since we asked for your comments in For this workbook the planning team has drafted four prelimi- WHEN THE PLANNING FOR THE TUOLUMNE RIVER BEGAN IN 2005, THE the 2007 Tuolumne Planning Workbook. nary site plan concepts for Tuolumne Meadows —one for each National Park Service knew that it would be a complex, multiyear eff ort. The plan- Yosemite National Park The most recent event was the Ninth of the four original management zoning alternatives. These con- ning team was determined not to let a summer season go by without presenting a Circuit Court of Appeals ruling regard- cepts explore how functions and facilities might be organized detailed update on the plan’s progress to the culturally associated Indian tribes, For more information about the ing the Merced River Plan, which is another comprehensive and sited at Tuolumne Meadows to help carry out the intents of interested members of the public, and other stakeholders—and to provide oppor- Tuolumne River Plan, contact the plan for a wild and scenic river that the park staff is conducting the management zoning alternatives. While the planning team tunities for their input along the way.
    [Show full text]
  • Galen Clark's Library
    YOSEMITE VOLUME XXXVIII - NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 1959 IN COOPERATION •ITH THE NATIONAL PARR . SERVICE. In 1857, when 43 years of age, Galen Clark (left) was told that he had not long to live and should move from Mariposa to a more favorable climate of a higher elevation . This led t, his settling on the South Fork of the Merced River, at present day Wawona, and establishino a hotel to accommodate early-day visitors to Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove . Clar4 died in 1910 at the ripe old age of 96. COVER — Galen Clark, Yosemite ' s first Guardian, at the base of the Grizzly Giant. —Photo by Watktus, 181t~ yosemite Since 1922, the monthly publication of the National Park Service and the Yosemite Natural NAILER! NOTE S History Association in Yosemite National Park. John C . Preston, Park Superintendent Douglass H . Hubbard, Park Naturalist Robert F. Upton, Associate Park Naturalist D^'tl F . McCrary, Assistant Park Naturalist Herbert D . Cornell, Junior Park Naturalist Keith A . Trexler, Park Naturalist Trainee 1 WOK., XXXVHI DEC'EAIBLR 1959 NO . 12 GALEN CLARK'S LIBRARY by Jim Fox, Ranger-Naturalist Probably the most revered pioneer Lodge of the Sierra Club, to which hi Yosemite history was Galen Clark . he was a charter member . They are In 1855 he first saw the Valley, and there now, kept in Yosemite Valley lit 1857 he established the first hostel available to the public. at what is now Wawona. It was at A survey of the books in the Galen that time the halfway point on the Clark Collection is of interest to the trail from Mariposa to Yosemite Val- historian as it may shed some light lay and was known as Clark 's on the interests of Clark.
    [Show full text]
  • Yosemite National Park Foundation Overview
    NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Foundation Document Overview Yosemite National Park California Contact Information For more information about Yosemite National Park, Call (209) 372-0200 (then dial 3 then 5) or write to: Public Information Office, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389 Park Description Through a rich history of conservation, the spectacular The geology of the Yosemite area is characterized by granitic natural and cultural features of Yosemite National Park rocks and remnants of older rock. About 10 million years have been protected over time. The conservation ethics and ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and then tilted to form its policies rooted at Yosemite National Park were central to the relatively gentle western slopes and the more dramatic eastern development of the national park idea. First, Galen Clark and slopes. The uplift increased the steepness of stream and river others lobbied to protect Yosemite Valley from development, beds, resulting in formation of deep, narrow canyons. About ultimately leading to President Abraham Lincoln’s signing 1 million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers the Yosemite Grant in 1864. The Yosemite Grant granted the at the high elevations that moved down the river valleys. Ice Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of Big Trees to the State thickness in Yosemite Valley may have reached 4,000 feet during of California stipulating that these lands “be held for public the early glacial episode. The downslope movement of the ice use, resort, and recreation… inalienable for all time.” Later, masses cut and sculpted the U-shaped valley that attracts so John Muir led a successful movement to establish a larger many visitors to its scenic vistas today.
    [Show full text]
  • STORY of TRAIL BUILDING in YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK by Gabriel Sovulewski of the 600 Miles of Trails That Keep Them So
    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUBERT WORK, SECRETARY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES VOL. VII APRIL, 1928 NO. 4 "LEARN TO READ THE TRAILSIDE" YOSEMITE NATIONAL EARL, CALIF . iq9 This is the official publication of the Education ..) Depart- ment of Yosemite National Park . I t is puh ishe .i each month by the National Park Service with the co-operation of th Yosemite Natural History Association, and its purpose is to supply dependable information on the natural history and scientific features of Yosemite National Park . The artic :es published herein are not copyrighted as it is intended that they shall be freely used by the press . Communications should be addressed to C . P . Russell, Park Naturalist, Yosemite National Park, California. E. P. LEAVITT Acting Superintendent YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION Published monthly Volume V 1I April, 1928 Number 4 THE STORY OF TRAIL BUILDING IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK By Gabriel Sovulewski Of the 600 miles of trails that keep them so . After these many exist within Yosemite boundaries, years of trail building, his enthusi- by far the greater part have been asm for such construction wanes built within the past thirty years . not at all . Just now a trails corn- In searching the old park records mittee appointed by Director made by the state park guardians, Mather is expressing its beliefs re- and the army superintendents of garding interesting foot trails along ,the national park, it became appar- Yosemite walls, and Mr . Sovulewsk; ent that dependable trail history grins like a boy as he makes his ex- was exceedingly difficult to obtain .
    [Show full text]
  • Campground in Yosemite National Park
    MileByMile.com Personal Road Trip Guide California Byway Highway # "Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road" Miles ITEM SUMMARY 0.0 End of Tioga Pass Road on Scenic Tioga Pass Road on State Highway #120, ends at the junction of State Highway #120 Big Oak Road just outside Yosemite Valley within Yosemite National Park, California. Altitude: 6158 feet 0.6 Tuolumne Grove Trail Tuolumne Grove Trail Head, Tioga Pass Road, Tuolumne Grove, is a Head sequoia grove located near Crane Flat in Yosemite National Park, California Altitude: 6188 feet 3.7 Old Big Oak Flat Road South to Tamarack Flat Campground in Yosemite National Park. Has 52 campsites, picnic tables, food lockers, fire rings, and vault toilets. Altitude: 7018 feet 6.2 Old Tioga Road Trail To Old Tioga Road, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, lies in Hetch Hetchy Valley, which is completely flooded by the Hetch Hetchy Dam, in Yosemite National Park, California. Wapama Falls, in Hetch Hetchy Valley, Lake Vernon, Rancheria Falls, Rancheria Creek, Camp Mather Lake. Altitude: 6772 feet 6.2 Trail to Tamarrack Flat Altitude: 6775 feet Campground 13.7 Siesta Lake Altitude: 7986 feet 14.5 White Wolf Road To White Wolf Campground, located outside of Yosemite Valley, just off Tioga Pass Road in California. Altitude: 8117 feet 16.5 Access To Luken's Lake, Yosemite Creek Trail, Altitude: 8182 feet 19.7 Access A mountainous Road/Trail, Quaking Aspen Falls, is a seasonal water fall, that stream relies on rain and snow melting, dries up in summer, located just off Tioga Pass Road, in Yosemite National Park, Altitude: 7500 feet 20.3 Quaking Aspen Falls East of highway.
    [Show full text]