Reports. 



129 



REPORTS. 



Report of the Custodian of Le Conte Memorial 

 Lodge, Yosemite Valley. 



During the summer of 1906 the Le Conte Memorial Lodge was 

 open to the public from May 226. till July 22d. It was not until 

 June 15th, however, that visitors to the valley were numerous 

 enough to enjoy the hospitality of the lodge even in moderate 

 numbers. 



There were two reasons why people did not go to the valley 

 during early summer. The principal one, of course, being the 

 earthquake, and also the unusually long and wet spring. 



Not until June 14th was Glacier Point trail opened, and Eagle 

 Peak was not accessible until a week later. Snow clung to the 

 rim of the valley until July ist, and it was not possible even to 

 reach Lake Tenaya, except on foot over frozen snow, on August 

 1st. 



The lodge was open daily, except Sunday, from 9 a.m. till 9 : 30 

 P.M., and during the greater part of the season a cheerful fire 

 blazed in the Titan fireplace every evening. 



The custodian was ably assisted by his wife in entertaining 

 guests, and the promotion of the Sierra Club and its aims were 

 sought rather than the mere conducting of a library. To that 

 end personally conducted trips were taken every Sunday, and 

 frequent visits made to parts of the wonderful valley that few 

 people visit. Evenings of entertainment around the blazing fire- 

 place, with pop-corn and lemonade, often enticed a number of 

 visitors. 



During the latter part of the summer the number of visitors 

 increased greatly, and at the time of closing there were many 

 more people in the valley than had been during the months of 

 May and June. The closing of the lodge was a cause of general 

 regret. 



With the advent of the new railroad, Government control of 

 the valley, and the consequent rise of importance as a pleasure 

 resort, it will not be extravagant to improve the interior furnish- 

 ings of the lodge by installing new furniture in keeping with the 

 structure ; by adding to the selection of books and magazines ; 

 by piping fresh water to satisfy the frequent requests of visitors; 



