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A Trip to th« Eastern Slope or the SierraNevada*.A correspondent furnishes to the MariposaGazette, a very interesting account of a trip tothe eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas. The writer is one of the party organized to explorefor gold:Each of us equipped with rifle, revolver, sheath-kuife, ridiug and packing auimels, left the quiet little town of Big Oak Flat and Ga-rote, on the 19th of July, for our destination, by the way of Yo Semite Valley, Lake Te-uye-ab aud Muuo Fuse.The country passed over by us to Yo Semite Valley, is too well kuowu, to require even a passing notice ; so what 1 shall write, may be considered as commencing at Yo Semite Valley. Spending a few days viewing that magnificentwonder, we ascended the Coulterville trail to the top of the ridge on the northern side of the valley. From the summit of the ridge opposite the lower end of the valley to Lake Te-uye-ah, is about thirty-two miles. Along the route we crossed several small streams, pouring their waters into the valley: among them the Yo S“!^itc Creek, forming Yo Semite Falls, is the largest. On these streams are numerous small valleys, affording spleiif'd vegetation of various kinds, aud the country in £*ncrai is well timbered with Pine, Spruce and Fir. Along this portion of the route game was not veiy plentiful, but by exertion and dexterity, we j managed to kill enough to supply our wants.! The country is not so rough to travel over as indicated by viewing it from an elevated point in the neighborhood. The gradual descending i streams, and long narrow valleys, renders the route very passable for pack animals.It was our intention to strike the Indian trail leading from Yo Semite Valley to Mono puss, somew here ueur the upper end of the valley, but did not intersect it uutil we had reached the valley of Lake Te-nye-ah. Arriving at the Lake, we encamped with the determination of exploring it thoroughly, inasmuch as greatdoubt has been enUt tatted heretofore, as to its real existence; so while sorao of the pat'ty went ahead to explore, the remaining portion set to work constructing u raft, which we bound together with pack ropes.Ou the return of the exploring squad, a general rafting excursion took place. We floated out on the bosom of one of the most clear, limpid aud delightful sheets water, in the country. Assisted by w ave and paddle, we succeeded in making a del our of the luke, which is about two miles in length, and three quarters of a mile iu width. It is situated on the head waters of the stream emptying into the upper part of Yo Semite Valley, aud there forming what 1 believo is called Lake Francis. By the Indian trail from (he valley, the lake is about sixteen miles lo the eastward. The waters after leaving the beach. I should judge from every appearance to be neveral hundred feet in depth. Around the lake is a beautiful sandy shore or beach. In its waters sport r.o living animal, that wecould discover, except a species of very small bug. Upon its bosom floated no fowls—near its shore roamed no beast of the forrest. Its situation is a most magnificent spot—its sides are bound in granite—its ends in valleys. During the explorations In the vicinity, several lakes were discovered. but none of them iu beauty and magnitude can bear a comparison with Te-nye-ah,Having hallstlcd ourselves with the beautiesof Te-nye-ab, we harnessed pack and saddle, and left for Mono Pass—distance, 18 miles.We entered the water and kept neur the granite cliffs on tho northern side for one-half mile; the trail taking over the smooth surface of rock* * our animals could not pass over it. VVe found no difficulty however, in passing the lake in this manner. •-*^ *From the lake to the crossing of the east or main branch of the Tuolumne river, we traversed a succession of gradual asceuding valleys densely covered with a species of pine closely resembling the tamarack. The river at this point of our Intersection, winds its way through a beautiful valley from five to six miles iu length, and about two miles in breadth. Having the high snow-clad peaks of the Sierras upon each side, its position is grand ami beautiful. Leaving behind this lovely view, we ascended to Mono Pass, which scarce deserves the name, for really it is not u “pass,” hut the summit of the main back bone of the Sierras. Vegetation does not exist to any extent upon the main ridge. The wind blows cold and icy —they make one shudder—they feel like the dead of winter. From the summit we plainly saw Mono Lake spreading itself on the plain below.
Newspaper Details
Nevada City Democrat
Nevada City, California, US
Wed, Sep 29, 1858
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Dean T.
USA 24 Nov 2022
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