THE GLACIER LAKES 101 



about the same size as Donner. But far the greater 

 number of the lakes lie much higher and are quite 

 small, few of them exceeding a mile in length, most 

 of them less than half a mile. 



Along the lower edge of the lake-belt, the small 

 est have disappeared by the filling-in of their basins, 

 leaving only those of considerable size. But all 

 along the upper freshly glaciated margin of the 

 lake-bearing zone, every hollow, however small, 

 lying within reach of any portion of the close net 

 work of streams, contains a bright, brimming pool; 

 so that the landscape viewed from the mountain- 

 tops seems to be sown broadcast with them. Many 

 of the larger lakes are encircled with smaller ones 

 like central gems girdled with sparkling brilliants. 

 In general, however, there is no marked dividing 

 line as to size. In order, therefore, to prevent con 

 fusion, I would state here that in giving numbers, 

 I include none less than 500 yards in circumference. 



In the basin of the Merced Eiver, I counted 131, 

 of which 111 are upon the tributaries that fall so 

 grandly into Yosemite Valley. Pohono Creek, which 

 forms the fall of that name, takes its rise in a beau 

 tiful lake, lying beneath the shadow of a lofty 

 granite spur that puts out from Buena Vista peak. 

 This is now the only lake left in the whole Pohono 

 Basin. The Illilouette has sixteen, the Nevada no 

 fewer than sixty-seven, the Tenaya eight, Hoffmann 

 Creek five, and Yosemite Creek fourteen. There 

 are but two other lake-bearing affluents of the 

 Merced, viz., the South Fork with fifteen, and Cas 

 cade Creek with five, both of which unite with the 

 main trunk below Yosemite. 



