In the Sierra 



bars of glaciated granite. Here the moun- 

 tains seem to have been cleared away or 

 >et back, so that wide-open views may be 

 tad in every direction. The upper end of 

 :he series lies at the base of Mt. Lyell, the 

 lower below the east end of the Hoffman 

 Range, so the length must be about ten or 

 twelve miles. They vary in width from a 

 [uarter of a mile to perhaps three quarters, 

 ind a good many branch meadows put out 

 ilong the banks of the tributary streams, 

 'his is the most spacious and delightful 

 iigh pleasure-ground I have yet seen. The 

 tir is keen and bracing, yet warm during 

 :he day ; and though lying high in the sky, 

 :he surrounding mountains are so much 

 dgher, one feels protected as if in a grand 

 tall. Mts. Dana and Gibbs, massive red 

 mountains, perhaps thirteen thousand feet 

 iigh or more, bound the view on the east, 

 :he Cathedral and Unicorn Peaks, with many 

 lameless peaks, on the south, the Hoffman 

 Range on the west, and a number of peaks 

 [ 267] 



