Notes and Correspondence 225 



pipe, with a white disc six inches in diameter, with a black letter 

 "M" stenciled on it ; this stencil to be put on both sides of the disc. 

 This marker can be placed at intervals not to exceed one hundred 

 yards, and will make a permanent and distinctive guide. Of course, 

 these will be supplemented by "ducks"; but "ducks" become de- 

 stroyed by the elements and loose pack stock, and I believe some 

 distinctive marker should be used, whether it is the one I have 

 suggested or a better one. This marker, of course, will be sup- 

 plemented by a large number of descriptive ones. 



The work accomplished with the single appropriation of $10,000 which 

 was made by the state legislature in 1915, has exceeded all expecta- 

 tions. With it a passable route along the entire crest of the High Sierra 

 has been opened and some of the finest scenery in the United States has 

 thus been made accessible. However, this passable route must not be 

 understood to be a finished trail, for, indeed, much of it is only over the 

 trails which already existed, and these without repairs or rebuilding of 

 any kind. Some of this route which has been made passable is not even 

 over the official route of the John Muir Trail. From the mouth of Pali- 

 sade Creek the trail is yet to be constructed up Palisade Creek to the 

 South Fork of Kings River and down the latter, via Woods Creek, Rae 

 Lake, and Glenn Pass, to Bullfrog Lake. This section has been care- 

 fully explored, located, and estimated. Its construction now only awaits 

 the necessary funds. Appropriations should be made by the state for 

 continuing the work until the entire trail from Yosemite to Mount 

 Whitney is completely constructed. 



In addition to the John Muir Trail, lateral trails at frequent intervals 

 are very desirable. With these the main trail would be easily accessible, 

 and stretches of it could be visited by those who cannot afford the time 

 to travel throughout its entire length. 



Tehipite-Simpson Meadows Trail 



A good trail through the canon of the Middle Fork of Kings River 

 from Tehipite Valley to Simpson Meadows has long been needed, but 

 funds for improving the existing trail have heretofore not been avail- 

 able. The completion of the trail through the upper portion of the Mid- 

 dle Fork Canon from Simpson Meadows to Palisade Creek and of the 

 John Muir Trail from Palisade Creek across the Goddard Divide to the 

 South Fork of San Joaquin River, during the past season, made this 

 construction more necessary than ever before, as a trip which will no 

 doubt be very popular will be through Tehipite Valley, the Middle Fork 

 Canon via Simpson Meadows, over Muir Pass, down Evolution Creek, 

 and out through the basin of the San Joaquin River, or the reverse. In 

 fact, it is this very route which will be followed by the 1917 outing of 

 the Sierra Club. 



Before the opening of the field season of 1916 the Directors of the Si- 

 erra Club brought the urgent need of rebuilding this trail to the atten- 



