364 YOSEMLTE VALLEY. 



around was very wild until we reached Inspiration 

 Point, whence there is a glorious view upon the 

 surrounding scenery : glaciers and snow-capped moun- 

 tains above ; in front, as far as the eye could reach, hills 

 and valleys alternately, c(^vered with fresh spring 

 verdure, and here and there a patch of dark forest ; 

 immediately below, granite precipices of almost invisible 

 depth, intersected by a multitude of cascades, leaping 

 over enormous boulders. Such is the aspect from 

 above. 



Half an hour's canter along a gentle slope, covered 

 with maiden turf, brought me to the entrance of 

 the Yosemite Valley, — one of the prettiest freaks of 

 nature imaginable, and quite milike anything to be 

 seen in the whole world. 



The entire length of the valley is barely eight miles, 

 its breadth nowhere exceeding two miles, and, except- 

 ing the one narrow entrance from the plain above, it is 

 entirely enclosed by walls of rock, their marble-like 

 crowns toweriiig majestically into the air, taking 

 various fantastic shapes. Although but a narrow strip, 

 Yosemite is well wooded and watered ; the rapid 

 Merced, a tributary of the San Joaquin, winds in zig-zag 

 fashion along its entire length, receiving no lack of 

 supply from the numerous waterfalls bearing divers 



