Record of an Early Exploration of Tenaya Canon 279 



briars and our boots worn through to our feet by the sharp 

 cutting edges of the coarse granite. Finally, about two o'clock, 

 we came to the side of the canon, but found it precipitous. 

 [Note 2.] We hunted hither and thither slowly and most cau- 

 tiously for means of descent, finally finding a narrow ledge 

 where with infinite care we might get down. Down we did 

 succeed in getting, and right before us saw a beautiful basin of 

 rock with huge boulders forming its sides, which basin was 

 filled with most exquisite water, and into which a cascade of 

 about ten feet fell through the great rocks in foaming flakes, 

 forming a most charming picture. To us who were so fear- 

 fully exhausted the sight of the water cheered marvelously. 

 We rushed to it without speaking, and falling down on our 

 faces, drank long and deep draughts from the crystal fountain. 

 Never did anything taste so surpassingly excellent. After rest- 

 ing ourselves and looking up and down the canon, we ate our 

 lunch and, feeling much strengthened thereby, girded up our 

 loins and began the ascent. Far above, at an angle of 60°, we 

 saw the end of the cafion and the summit of the mountain. To 

 the left through a tall pine we saw the lashing of a mighty fall 

 of water, leaping and dashing over a lofty ledge of rocks and 

 falling into the canon. [Note 3.] Between our position and 

 the cascade lay half the canon, almost impassable from the ti- 

 tanic rocks chaotically piled one upon another, suggesting 

 doubts of a passage. Above on either side the canon was a 

 sheer smooth precipice with beautiful ferns feathering every 

 crevice with drooping fronds of emerald green. Through great 

 masses of rock that blocked the cafion the waters hissed and 

 boiled and percolated in foaming torrents, most beautiful to be- 

 hold. We started our venture up the canon, clambering, climbing 

 on hands and knees, leaping from huge boulders over cauldron- 

 like basins of foaming waters, exertions calling forth all our 

 strength. Finally, we accomplished the distance which brought 

 us to the base of the magnificent cascades, broad and ethereal, 

 dashing a thunderous sheet of foam below. I climbed up be- 



[Note 2. — It would appear from the above that the party must have climbed en- 

 tirely out of the canon and over the top of Mount Watkins, descending again into 

 Tenaya Canon just beyond that great barrier. It is not clear just how this portion 

 of the climb was made. It seems strange that the crossing of Snow Creek is not 

 mentioned.] 



[Note 3. — This must be the great fall at the head of the main canon and just 

 below Glacier Valley. There are two falls here, the large one being above.] 



