A High Sierra Circuit on King's River. 187 



camped in a beautiful cluster of huge pines. Passing 

 through the poplars that grow in profusion along the bed 

 of the stream, we noted the work of avalanches which 

 occurred in this region in 1906. The trees were broken 

 and twisted and torn in an am.azing way. Whole sections 

 were laid as flat as wheat in the swathe. Many trees had 

 been broken half off and laid prostrate. Some of these 

 had received sufficient sap from the shreds of bark con- 

 necting the stump with the top, to remain alive, and now, 

 accustomed to short rations, were green again, turning 

 their heads once more to the sky. So badly was the timber 

 down that for considerable stretches a trail had to be cut 

 out w4th axes. 



A side-trip up to East Lake and Lake Reflection occu- 

 pied the next day. The air was so clear that the summut 

 of Brewer seemed within a short hour's walk, yet five 

 hours would probably have been much nearer the truth. 



In the morning we returned to Kanawyer's and the next 

 day started on the trip out of the canon, spending a night 

 at Cedar Grove and another at Bearskin Meadow. The 

 dash and zest for the trail were laid aside at the Grant 

 Grove of Big Trees, and resting in the shadow of a giant 

 sequoia, for an hour or two we allowed the peace and 

 quiet of the Sabbath morn to steal into our hearts. Two 

 nights and the intervening day we rested at Sequoia Lake, 

 near Millwood, enjoying most thoroughly our long swims 

 in the warm water. 



And although the embers of the last camp-fire are 

 dead, the glow in the heart kindles anew as the twilight 

 hour creeps over us with its subtle spell calling forth the 

 spirit of reminiscence. Again we feel the bracing air of 

 the mountain-side laden with the fragrance of balsam 

 and fir. Once more the song of birds mingles with the 

 whispering of the pines and the murmur of the brook. 

 We start afresh on the dewy trail ; we climb the heights ; 

 we seek the noon-day shade ; and then, as purple shadows 

 gather on the western slopes, return to camp and friends 

 and — fall asleep. 



