PATE VALLEY

Lambert Dome and Mount Dana are conspicuous landmarks of Tuolumne Meadows.

Fishing is usually very good in nearby lakes and streams. The Waterwheel Falls, Muir Gorge, the Soda Springs, the spectacular canyon scenery, jewel-like Tenaya Lake, and the Mount Lyell Glacier are a few of the interesting places to visit near Tuolumne Meadows.

John Muir writes this interesting description of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Waterwheel Falls:

It is the cascades or sloping falls on the main river that are the crowning glory of the canyon, and these, in volume, extent, and variety, surpass those of any other canyon in the Sierra. The most showy and interesting of them are mostly in the upper part of the canyon above the point of entrance of Cathedral Creek and Hoffmann Creek. For miles the river is one wild, exulting, onrushing mass of snowy purple bloom, spreading over glacial waves of granite without any definite channel, gliding in magnificent silver plumes, dashing and foaming through huge boulder dams, leaping high in the air in wheel-like whirls, displaying glorious enthusiasm, tossing from side to side, doubling, glinting, singing in exuberance of mountain energy.

Muir’s “wheel-like whirls” undoubtedly mean the celebrated Waterwheel Falls. Rushing down the canyon’s slanting granites under great headway, the river encounters shelves of rock projecting from its bottom. From these, enormous arcs of solid water are thrown high in the air. Some of the waterwheels rise 20 feet and span 50 feet in the arc. Unfortunately, the amount of water in the river drops with the advance of summer and the waterwheels lose much of their forcefulness. Visitors should see this spectacle during the period of high water from June 15 to August 1 in normal years.

The Waterwheel Falls may be reached by a good trail 5.5 miles from the Tioga Road down the Tuolumne River Gorge to the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, where meals and overnight accommodations are available, then 2.8 miles down the river to Waterwheel Falls. Saddle animals may be rented at Tuolumne Meadows for this trip.

Below the waterwheels the Tuolumne Canyon descends abruptly, the river plunging madly through the mile-deep gorge. Trails built a few years ago down the canyon from the Waterwheel Falls to Pate Valley penetrate the very heart of the gorge. The Muir Gorge, a vertical-walled cleft in the canyon a half mile deep, is, as a result, but 2 hours below Waterwheel Falls and the same above Pate Valley by the new trails. The entire canyon may be traversed with ease either on horseback or on foot.

A few miles farther westward the granite heights slope back more gently and the river suddenly pauses in its tumultuous course to meander through the pines and oaks and cedars of a meadowed flat. Pate Valley has beenknown for years from the reports of venturesome knapsackers, but now it is made accessible by one of the best trails in the park.

An unnatural smoky blackening of the overhanging cornices of the 200-foot walls almost surrounding the glade leads one to approach them, and there, near the ground, are hundreds of Indian pictographs. These are mysterious, fantastic, and unreadable, but the deep-red stain is as clearly defined as on the day that the red man set down tales of his great hunt, or of famine, or of war, or perhaps of his gods. Here, too, obsidian chips tell the story of preparation for war and the chase, and sharp eyes are rewarded by the sight of many a perfect spear point or arrowhead.

Atop a huge shaded talus block are many bowl-shaped holes, a primitive gristmill where once the squaws ground acorns for their pounded bread, which was the staff of life for so many California tribes. Blackened cooking rocks may be found, and numerous stone pestles lying about in this and two or three similar places seem to point to a hurried departure, but the “when” and “why” of this exodus still remain a mystery.

North of the Tuolumne River is an enormous area of lakes and valleys which are seldom visited, notwithstanding that it is penetrated by numerous trails. It is a wilderness of wonderful charm and deserves to harbor a thousand camps. The trout fishing in many of these waters is unsurpassed.

Though unknown to people generally, this superb Yosemite country north of the Valley has been the haunt for many years of the confirmed mountain lovers of the Pacific coast. It has been the favorite resort of the Sierra Club during many years of summer outings.

The monster mountain mass, of which Mount Lyell, 13,090 feet high, is the chief, lies on the eastern boundary of the park. It may be reached by trail from Tuolumne Meadows and is well worth the journey. It is the climax of the Sierra in this neighborhood.

The traveler swings from the Tuolumne Meadows around Johnson Peak to Lyell Fork and turns southward up its valley. Huge Kuna Crest borders the trail’s left side for miles. At the head of the Valley, beyond several immense granite shelves, rears the mighty group, Mount Lyell in the center, supported on the north by Mount Maclure and on the south by Rodgers Peak.

The way up is through a vast basin of tumbled granite, encircled at its climax by a titanic rampart of nine sharp, glistening peaks and hundredsof spear-like points, the whole usually cloaked in enormous sweeping shrouds of snow. Presently the granite spurs inclose one. And directly, beyond these, looms a mighty wall of glistening granite which apparently forbids further approach to the mountain’s shrine. But another half hour brings one face to face with Lyell’s rugged top and shining glacier, one of the noblest high places in America. Mount Dana, with its glacier and great variety of alpine flowers, can be climbed in one day from Tuolumne Meadows and now offers a very popular hiking trip.

The waters from the western slopes of Lyell and Maclure find their way, through many streams and many lakelets of splendid beauty, into two lakes which are the headwaters of the famous Merced River. The upper of these is Washburn Lake, cradled in bare heights and celebrated for its fishing. This is the formal source of the Merced. Several miles below, the river rests again in beautiful Merced Lake.

One of the six Yosemite High Sierra camps is at the head of Merced Lake. There is a new trail 13 miles from Yosemite Valley to Merced Lake which crosses glacier-polished slopes. It is real wilderness, famous for its good fishing and beautiful scenery.

This land of enchantments is a land of enchanted climate. Its summers are warm, but not too warm; dry, but not too dry; its nights cool and marvelously starry. Moonlight on the towering granite walls is unsurpassed in its romantic beauty.

It is a land of sunshine. It is a land of inspiring, often sublime scenery. It is the ideal camping-out ground. Rain seldom falls in the Yosemite between May and October. In winter Yosemite Valley is transformed into a snowy fairyland and all sorts of winter sports may be enjoyed. The weather is mild and sunny most of the time. To many, winter is the finest season in Yosemite. In addition to the toboggans, skating, dog teams, and other winter sports available in the Valley from December 1 to March 1, unlimited areas for snow sports and skiing are now accessible from the new Wawona Road which is open most of the winter.

Spring in Yosemite is most refreshing and exhilarating. It rarely rains and is seldom even cloudy. The falls are at their best; the azalea bushes, which grow to man’s height, blossom forth in flowers exquisite as orchids. The latter part of April or the early part of May the lodges and camps are opened, tents are pitched along the river, and before one knows it summer has arrived.

In this season Yosemite has an irresistible appeal. There is every form of enjoyment available. One may live in a lodge, where the honk of an automobile is never heard and where a full day’s catch of trout is assured from nearby lake or stream; one may live in a hotel where mountain scenery is unsurpassed; or one may live in the Valley and enjoy swimming, hiking, nature trips, auto caravans, evening programs, motor trips, fishing, dancing, tennis, golf, and many other forms of entertainment.

Autumn is intensified in the Yosemite. All is quiet. The falls are silent and only a few people and machines are encountered. Nature is supreme. The changing leaves of the dogwood, azaleas, and quaking aspens form a brilliant assortment of colors.

Yosemite Valley is unusually beautiful in winter, when the fresh snowfalls transform it into a white fairyland and sunset paints the cliffs and domes with rosy alpine glow.

John Muir, in describing the ice cone of the Yosemite Fall, writes:

The frozen spray (of the fall) gives rise to one of the most interesting winter features of the Valley—a cone of ice at the foot of the fall 400 or 500 feet high. * * * When the cone is in the process of formation, growing higher and wider in frosty weather, it looks like a beautiful, smooth, pure white hill.

Winter sports enthusiasts enjoy unexcelled mountain scenery in the high country.

The All-Year Highway is open and in good condition every day during the winter months and the Government maintains the roads in safe condition so that chains are not ordinarily needed. It is, however, advisable to carry chains in case they are needed during heavy storms. Information on snow sports and winter road conditions may be obtained at automobile associations. It is advisable to make reservations for rooms on Saturday nights and holidays from December 25 to February 25.

The Wawona Road to the Big Trees is open most of the winter except during periods of unusually heavy snowfall. There are unlimited snow fields for skiing and other snow sports along the Wawona Road, accessible through the tunnel.

The Valley, inclosed by granite walls which shut out the winds, has a mild and balmy winter climate. In fact, these walls really provide two distinct winter climates on opposite sides of the Valley, the north side being many degrees warmer than the south. On the northern side one may motor, ride horseback, and hike in comfort, while on the southern side, screened from the sun by the towering cliffs, all the popular winter sports prevail. Under the auspices of the Yosemite Winter Club, ice hockey matches, curling, fancy costume skating carnivals, snow figure contests, ski-joring races, skating gymkhanas, figure skating exhibitions, Eskimo dog races, and other winter sports events are held throughout the winter season, which usually lasts from December until March.

Competent instructors on the Yosemite Winter Club staff provide group and individual instruction in skiing and plain and fancy skating. Winter sports equipment and clothing may be rented reasonably in the Valley.

The National Park Service maintains a popular free snowslide for the enjoyment of the public. It is called “Ash Can Alley”, because the trip down the slide is made in heavy tin pans that resemble ash-can covers.

Skiing enthusiasts may enjoy excursions of several days’ duration in the high mountain country above Yosemite Valley accompanied by a ski instructor and guide and stopping overnight at ski lodges strategically located at an elevation where the snow is deep throughout the winter and in a region where the ski fields are second to none. Skiing is also enjoyed on ski fields along Wawona Road and adjacent to Glacier Point on the rim of the Valley, reached on foot over a 4-mile trail. The Glacier Point Mountain House is kept open during the winter season.

With nearly 700 miles of well-defined trails radiating from Yosemite Valley to all sections of the park, and with, for the most part, camps, lodges,or hotels situated within an easy day’s walking distance from each other, conditions in Yosemite are particularly adapted to hiking trips. The hiker may go “light”, depending upon the hotels and lodges for accommodations, or he may pack his entire outfit either on his back or upon a pack animal and thereby be entirely independent. During July and August ranger-naturalists conduct regular 7-day hikes through the High Sierra, stopping each night at one of the High Sierra camps above mentioned. There is no charge for this guide service, but hikers desiring to go with these guides should register at the museum in advance.

Roads in Yosemite Valley.High-resolution Map

The introduction of game fish into the waters of Yosemite National Park began in 1878, 12 years before the area now confined within the parkboundaries had been set aside as a national reservation, when plants of rainbow trout were made in some of the lakes in what is now the northwestern corner of the park. In the following year plants of eastern brook trout were made in the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, and in 1880 plants of rainbow trout were repeated in the Lake Eleanor country. Nothing more seems to have been done in the way of stocking any of the waters that are now within the park until 1890, the year that the park was created, when a general stocking of the streams and lakes was begun. This was continued, at first intermittently, but from 1911 to 1925 plants of from 100,000 to 400,000 young fry were made annually. The State hatchery was completed at Happy Isles in 1926 and from that year from 500,000 to over 1,000,000 fry have been planted annually by the rangers, with the result that today all of the principal lakes and streams of the park contain one or more well-known species of game fish.

Landing a big one from Elizabeth Lake near Tuolumne Meadows.

It is in the northern canyons, however, that the greatest of all fishing grounds in the entire park are found. Many of the waters of that great area of 500 square miles or more north of the Tuolumne River were stocked years ago with rainbow and eastern brook. Conditions for continuedpropagation seem to have been exceedingly favorable, with the result that practically all of the lakes and streams now teem with fish life, and the fisherman who seeks fishing de luxe amid surroundings of the most fascinating grandeur of high-mountain scenery will find here a fulfillment of his most ambitious dreams and will be more than repaid for having taken time to penetrate this portion of the park.

In Yosemite National Park few anglers, even the most inexperienced, use bait during the summer or autumn. Of the various artificial flies the California Royal Coachman almost always proves the best lure; gray and brown hackles are also very good. Copper-nickel spinners of the sizes 0 to 2 are often taken in the lakes and sometimes in the streams when the trout are not rising to flies.

The nine species of trout in the waters of the park, about in the order of their relative abundance, are: Eastern brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, Lock Leven trout, cutthroat or black-spotted trout, Tahoe trout, steelhead trout, golden trout.

Information on the best lakes and streams for fishing may be obtained at any ranger station or at park headquarters in the New Village. See posted weekly bulletins.

Persons desiring to fish in the waters of Yosemite National Park must secure a sporting fishing license, as required by the laws of California. These laws provide that every person over the age of 18 years who obtains fish without first taking out a license is guilty of a misdemeanor. The license fee for residents is $2; for nonresidents, $3; and for aliens, $5. These licenses may be obtained from any county clerk, from the State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners, Wawona, Carl Inn, and Tuolumne Meadows, or at the general store in Yosemite Village. All fishing must be done in conformity with the State laws regarding open season, size of fish, and limit of catch.

This spacious museum houses park exhibits.

All-Year State Highway.—The main paved route to Yosemite Valley from all California points, both north and south, is through Merced on the Pacific Highway through the San Joaquin Valley (Route 99). From Merced the State maintains the splendid paved All-Year Highway to El Portal (Route 140) and from El Portal the National Park Service maintains a similar highway to Yosemite Valley. It is 83 miles long and is the shortest, easiest, and most popular route from Merced, a high-gear modern highway, requiring 2½ hours to drive from Merced to Yosemite Valley. It is open and safely traveled every day of the year.

During the winter months visitors may obtain the latest accurate information on the snow conditions and winter sports at the automobile association offices. Visit the quaint old town of Mariposa, center of the gold rush in the days of ’49. See the oldest courthouse in the State, built in 1854.

By Seasonal Mountain Roads.—There are two other main routes across the Yosemite National Park leading into the Yosemite Valley, viz, the Wawona Road from the south and the Big Oak Flat Road from the north. The Tioga Road crosses the center of the park from east to west and connects with the Big Oak Flat Road. The Wawona Road is reached from Fresno, Madera, or Merced and points south and west of the park. The Big Oak Flat Road may be reached from Stockton, Modesto, Oakdale, and points north and west of the park. The Tioga Road may be reached on the east at Mono Lake from Lake Tahoe and points north, from Tonopah, Nev., and points east, from Bishop, Big Pine, and Mojave, and points south. On the west it connects with the Big Oak Flat Road at Carl Inn. Motorists using these roads will experience no serious difficulty if their cars are in good condition. In wet weather chains are advisable.

One of the many meadows in Yosemite.

The Tioga Road.—Up the east slope of the Sierra Nevadas, through the scenic, spectacular Leevining Canyon, and from east to west across the mountain-top paradise winds the Tioga Road, which has a romantic history. It was built by Chinese labor in 1881 to a gold mine east of the park, but as the mine did not pay the expenses of getting out the ore it was quickly abandoned and soon became impassable. In 1915 a group of public-spirited citizens, headed by the Honorable Stephen T. Mather, purchased it from the present owners of the old mining property and presented it to the Government. When a young man, Mark Twain visited Mono Lake on the Tioga Road. Following is his own inimitable description from Roughing It:

Mono Lake is a hundred miles in a straight line from the ocean—and between it and the ocean are one or two ranges of mountains—yet thousands of sea gulls go there every season to lay their eggs and rear their young. One would as soon expect to find sea gulls in Kansas. And in this connection let us observe another instance of nature’s wisdom. The islands in the lake being merely huge masses of lava, coated over with ashes and pumice stone, and utterly innocent of vegetation or anything that would burn; and sea gulls’ eggs being entirely useless to anyone unless they be cooked, nature has provided an unfailing spring of boiling water on the largest island, and you can put your eggs in there, and in 4 minutes you can boil them as hard as any statement I have made during the past 15 years. Within 10 feet of the boiling spring is a spring of pure, cold water, sweet and wholesome. So in that island you get your board and washing free of charge—and if nature had gone farther and furnished a nice American hotel clerk, who was crusty and disobliging, and didn’t know anything about the time-tables, or the railroad routes—or—anything—and was proud of it—I would not wish for a more desirable boarding house.

Merced is the most popular railway and stage gateway to the park and is served by the Southern Pacific Railway, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, and stage lines.

At Merced, direct connections are made throughout the year with daily trains of the Yosemite Valley Railroad to El Portal, at which place passengers are transferred to stages on the last 14 miles to Yosemite Valley. In summer, through overnight sleeper cars from San Francisco and Los Angeles are available for train passengers daily. For information regarding schedules, rates, etc., visit your nearest ticket office or write to the passenger traffic manager of the Southern Pacific Lines, San Francisco, Calif., the Santa Fe Lines, Chicago, Ill., or the Yosemite Valley Railroad, Merced, Calif.

Automobile stages from Merced to Yosemite Valley are operated every day of the year. In summer, stages leave Fresno and Stockton for Yosemite Valley, the service being available daily from about June 1 to September 1. From July 4 to September 3, stages connect Yosemite Valley and Lake Tahoe with daily service via the Tioga Road. For information and rates, apply to the Yosemite Transportation System, Yosemite National Park, Calif.

For persons desiring to spend less time en route to the park, fast air service is available to Fresno, Calif. This is furnished by the United Air Lines on their Seattle to San Diego route, which connects with their transcontinental planes at Oakland and those of the American Airlines and TWA at Los Angeles.

The representative of the National Park Service in immediate charge of Yosemite National Park is the superintendent, C. G. Thomson, whose office is located in the Administration Building in the Yosemite New Village and whose address is Yosemite National Park, Calif. General information may be obtained from him, and all complaints should be addressed to him. A staff of employees, including rangers and ranger-naturalists, assists the superintendent in serving the public.

Exclusive jurisdiction over Yosemite National Park was ceded to the United States by act of the California Legislature, dated April 15, 1919, and accepted by Congress by act approved June 2, 1920 (41 Stat. 731).

The National Park Service maintains an information bureau at the superintendent’s office in Yosemite New Village, and the ranger in charge will supply accurate information concerning points of interest, trails, camping facilities, camping locations, fishing places, etc.

A branch office of the California State Automobile Association is maintained in conjunction with the Park Service Information Bureau, where the best road information obtainable is furnished free to autoists.

Information can also be obtained at the museum or at any of the hotels, camps, lodges, or garages, and at the transportation offices.

Constant improvement of the roads makes Yosemite more and more readily accessible. Every class of accommodation is provided for the comfort of the tourist. But the National Park Service has carried the idea of service to a still higher point in providing a free nature-guide service. In other words, the visitor is encouraged to avail himself of the offices of an interpreter in the form of a trained ranger-naturalist who can answer his questions and reveal the many fascinations of nature which abound on every side. To enjoy fully a national-park trip, one must learn to read the trails.

During the summer season a splendid program of lectures and nature-guide service is offered to visitors. One should plan to take advantage of the lectures and trips listed below which are available only during the long summer season. During winter months the modified program consists mainly of lectures at the hotels and the museum. The more the visitor knows about the park and its wildlife the more he will enjoy his stay. This service is maintained by the Government and is free to the public.

Nature walks from Camp Curry each morning (except Sunday).

Special bird walks at 8 o’clock each Wednesday morning.

Auto caravans each day at 9:30 a. m. and 2 p. m. (except Sunday) to points of special interest on the floor of the Valley. These start from museum, visitors using their own cars.

Each day (except Sunday) there is an all-day hike to Glacier Point, Vernal and Nevada Falls, Eagle Peak, Tenaya Canyon, or Half Dome.

At the evening camp-fire program at Government Camp No. 14, Camp Curry, Yosemite Lodge, and the Ahwahnee Hotel there are short talks on wildlife.

Short talks on the geology of Yosemite Valley are given several times each morning and afternoon in the museum.

Each week a naturalist leads a party on a 7-day hike into the spectacular high mountain region of the park, starting from Happy Isles at 7:30 o’clock each Monday morning. Make reservations in advance at the museum.

A junior nature school for children is conducted during the summer.

The bears are fed every evening at 9:30 o’clock at the bear pits, and a short talk is given on animal life of the Yosemite.

Groups or organizations may procure the services of a naturalist by applying to the park naturalist at the museum.

The park museum, in New Village, a gift to the Nation from the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, is a spacious and appropriately designed building in which are housed a large number of exhibits loaned or contributed by park enthusiasts.

These exhibits are appropriately displayed in rooms devoted to the following major fields: Geology, birds and animals, Indian history, trees, and flowers.

The museum grounds have recently been beautified by plantings of native wild flowers and shrubs, a project made possible by a gift from Marjorie Montgomery Ward. Flower lovers will find this garden a great aid in identifying flowers that they have seen along the roads and trails.

An Indian exhibit is conducted back of the museum daily during the summer by inhabitants of the local Indian village.

The museum also contains a library well supplied with scientific and historical books and periodicals, all of which are available to visitors.

Naturalists at the museum are at the service of the public to answer questions and to instruct regarding the park and its wildlife.

In late spring azaleas grow in profusion in Yosemite Valley.

A 7 weeks’ course in field study of Sierra Nevada natural history is offered by the Yosemite educational staff to students who have completed at least 2 years of college work. Emphasis is placed upon field methods, and the course is designed to avoid duplication of work offered in universities and colleges.

The development of the park areas above the rim has inevitably brought with it the establishment of branch-museum and ranger-naturalist service at several focal points of interest.

The Glacier Point Lookout is located on the most famed scenic point on the rim. Powerful binoculars enable visitors to bring the Sierra’s great peaks to their very feet. A flower show is maintained, and a ranger-naturalist on duty conducts a service of field trips and lectures which correlate with those offered from the Yosemite Museum.

At Mariposa Grove the old log cabin originally built by Galen Clark and replaced by the State in 1885 has been reconstructed. This is now equipped as a museum telling the complete story of the Big Trees. A ranger-naturalist is stationed here to lecture, make guide trips to famous trees, sell publications, and give accurate information.

At Tuolumne Meadows a ranger-naturalist is stationed during July and August to conduct field trips, organize more strenuous mountain-climbing expeditions, keep up an exhibit of local interest, and lecture at evening camp fires.

Guide maps, and topographical maps may be obtained from the ranger-naturalists, who will be glad to assist visitors desiring to know more about the park.

Accommodations in Yosemite National Park offer a complete range from free public camp grounds to the highest class of hotel service. At all units except housekeeping there is a discount of 10 percent from the basic rates for stays of 3 days or longer and an additional discount for weekly stays.

The National Park Service maintains extensive camp grounds in Yosemite Valley and at Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, and Tuolumne Meadows, for the use of which no charge is made. These areas are provided with necessary sanitary conveniences and for the most part with runningwater. The grounds are policed daily during the camping season and all litter and waste removed.

A camp-fire entertainment is held each summer evening (except Sunday) at a platform centrally located in Camp 14. Please report any talent among the campers to the ranger at entrance to Camp 14.

The public is requested to cooperate with the park force in keeping the camp grounds clean and presentable.

Campers must register their name, address, car make and number, length of stay and location in camp ground (post and section number) on the registration book at entrance to each camp ground. This is important in case of emergency messages.

The following list of accommodations is a brief summary of rooms, cabins, and tents available in Yosemite. These are operated by the Yosemite Park and Curry Co., which is under contract with the Government to supply these services and accommodations in the park. For reservations and information apply to the Yosemite Park and Curry Co., at Yosemite National Park, Calif., or at 39 Geary Street, San Francisco, Calif., and 540 West Sixth Street, Los Angeles, Calif.

Important Notice.—The closing of schools in California always brings a rush of visitors to the park immediately after June 15 and from that date to July 25 prospective visitors to the park (except those contemplating camping with their own outfits in the free public camping grounds) should in all cases apply in advance for reservations. Advance reservations for the period between December 28 and January 1 will not be made for less than 4 days.

Rates authorized herein are subject to change without notice on approval by the Director of the National Park Service. Authorized changes in rates will be posted for public information in the park.

All the rates of the authorized public utilities within the park are approved by the Government. Employees of the hotels, camps, and transportation lines are not Government employees, they are employed by the Yosemite Park and Curry Co.

Any suggestions regarding service furnished by these public utilities should be made to the superintendent.

The Ahwahnee.—In Yosemite Valley. American plan. Open all year. Commanding all major Yosemite Valley views, The Ahwahnee is one of the most distinctive resort hotels. Complete informality prevails. All rooms have outside view and private bath. The spacious groundsinclude a native wildflower garden, a mashie golf course alongside the Merced River, tennis courts, archery, badminton, children’s playground. Basic rates, including meals, are $10 and $12 per person daily.

The Ahwahnee offers fine living in a favored setting.

Camp Curry.—In Yosemite Valley. American and European plan. Open approximately May to September. Camp Curry is a complete community center. Accommodations are in bungalows with bath, cabins without bath, and completely furnished tents. The dining room seats 700 guests; the cafeteria 350. European plan, in tents only, $1.50 to $2.50 per person daily; American plan, $4 to $8.50 per person daily—less discounts.

Yosemite Lodge.—In Yosemite Valley. European plan. Open all year. A colony of redwood cabins with and without bath set among pines and cedars near the Merced River. The main building has an excellent cafeteria. Rates, $2.25 to $5 per person daily—less discounts.

Glacier Point Hotel.—On the Valley rim. European plan. Open approximately June to September. The main building has accommodations for 150 guests in rooms with or without bath and meals are served in the cafeteria. (During winter months when Glacier Point is accessible only by trail, the Annex is available as a headquarters for skiing parties.) Rates, $2 to $5 per person daily—less discounts.

Wawona Hotel.—Twenty-seven miles from Yosemite Valley, near the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees. American and European plans. Open approximately May to October. A charming vacation place with one of the finest mountain golf courses in the West; headquarters for fishing and camping trips. Rates, $1.25 to $4.50 per person daily, European plan; $4.25 to $9 American plan—less discounts.

Big Trees Lodge.—In the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, 35 miles from Yosemite Valley. European plan. Open approximately June to September. A new building of unusual charm and comfort with accommodations for 24 guests. Four bedrooms have private bath; all have hot and cold running water. The cafeteria has an outdoor terrace. Rates, $2.50 to $5 per person daily—less discounts.

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge.—On Tioga Pass Road in the heart of Yosemite Park, 68 miles from Yosemite Valley. American plan. Open approximately July to September. A trail and fishing center and headquarters for pack trip parties. Accommodations are in canvas cabins with lounge and dining room in central canvas building. Rates, $5 and $6 per person daily—less discounts.

High Sierra Camps.—An average of about 10 miles apart along High Sierra trails. Comfortable, camp-style accommodations for saddle and hiking parties. Open approximately July and August. Basic rates are $1 a night and $1 a meal.

Housekeeping Cabins.—At Yosemite Lodge, open all year.

Additional charge for wood is 50 cents per bundle. Cabins are furnished with wood stoves, complete housekeeping equipment including bedding linen, cooking utensils, and silverware. Electrically lighted cabins.

Housekeeping Cabins and Tents, partially furnished (with cots, mattresses, tables, chairs, and stove).

All kinds of camping equipment are available for rental to all campers; ask for rental price list.

Yosemite Housekeeping Camp.—Open May 7 until September 5.

Regular outfits, comprising tents fully furnished except for linen (sheets, pillow slips, and towels) are available at the following rates, by the week only:

Camp Curry Housekeeping Section.—A section of Camp Curry is devoted to tents arranged and equipped for housekeeping. The tents are permanently erected on frames with board floors and electric lights. A tent fly or awning stretched in front of the sleeping tent makes a combination outdoor living room, dining room, and kitchen.

Bed linen and one dozen assorted towels, together with laundering of the same, is included in rental.

The Yosemite Transportation System, of the Yosemite Park & Curry Co., operates automobile transportation service connecting with railroad and stage lines at Merced, Fresno, Tahoe, and El Portal, and covering all points of interest reached by automobile roads in Yosemite National Park, and between Yosemite Valley and Lake Tahoe by way of the “Tioga Pass route.”

For rates, time schedules, and reservations apply at Camp Curry, The Ahwahnee, or Yosemite Lodge transportation offices.

Merced to Yosemite Valley, $7.25 one way; $10.25 round trip. Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows, $7.50 one way. Yosemite Valley to Lake Tahoe, $25 one way.

Mirror Lake.—A short drive to view the reflections, 50 cents.

See the Bears.—A short drive in the evening to see Yosemite’s bears feeding under a spotlight, 50 cents.

Valley tour.—A 2-hour, 20-mile drive with lecturing escort passing all points of interest on the Valley floor. Leaves daily, $2.

Glacier Point.—A round trip to Glacier Point on the rim of the Valley, from which a superb panorama of the Valley and the High Sierra is obtained (1 day), $5.

Mariposa Grove of Big Trees.—A memorable 1-day motor trip to this large grove which has many trees whose age has been estimated at 4,000 years. The Y. T. S. stage drives through the famous Wawona tunnel tree, $7.50.

Big Trees and Glacier Point.—Combining both the above trips with overnight stop at comfortable Glacier Point Hotel, $11.

Hetch Hetchy Dam and Valley.—A delightful 1-day trip to San Francisco’s gigantic water-supply project in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River, via Tuolumne Grove of Big Trees and interesting High Sierra country. Take box lunch, $7.50.

All-expense saddle trips (including saddle animal, guide meals, lodging, box lunches) to High Sierra camps start at $19.50. For full information, see “High Sierra Vacations” folder.

The 6-day High Sierra all-expense saddle trip leaves Valley every Monday morning during the season regardless of number in party and any day when a minimum party of five secures free guide service.

Pack Trip.—Ask for rates and “High Sierra Vacations” folder. Saddle and pack horses may be rented at Tuolumne Meadows, Mather, Wawona, and in Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite.—Twenty-five miles of oiled bridle paths. Guide not necessary. Rates, half day. Forenoon, $2.50; afternoon, $2; full day, $4.

Wawona.—Trails on floor of Wawona Valley. Guide not necessary. Rates, half day, $2; full day, $3.

A general store and meat market is operated in the old Yosemite Village by the Yosemite Park & Curry Co. In this general store a complete line of groceries, meats, clothing, drugs, and campers’ supplies of all kinds is available. This company also operates a store at Wawona and at Tuolumne Meadows, where food supplies are sold in summer.

At Camp Curry there is a grocery and provision store, where a full line of groceries, meats, food supplies, and fishing tackle is carried during the summer season.

Mrs. John Degnan operates a grocery store, bakery, delicatessen, lunch room, and soda fountain in the old Yosemite Village. Soda fountains are also operated at Yosemite Lodge, Camp Curry, and the Ahwahnee Hotel. Refreshment stands are maintained at the general store, housekeeping headquarters, and Happy Isles. Meals and light lunches are served during the summer at the village store.

In all of the hotels, lodges, and camps there are newsstands at which curios, post cards, photographs, souvenirs, newspapers, magazines, tobacco, smokers’ supplies, etc., are available.

A wide and attractive selection of Yosemite views is to be found in the studios of the following four park operators:

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