Notes and Correspondence. 141 



ported and emplaced there. At the present time only faint trails 

 traverse these upland ridges and ravines, and an army, even on 

 the defensive, would be at a great disadvantage under present 

 conditions. I may state that a number of officers in the Reg^ilar 

 and State service have expressed their opinion that the reserva- 

 tion of about 20,000 acres of this wild broken region would be 

 well worth the few dollars per acre this land would cost, just for 

 the purposes of defense and field maneuvering. 



In conclusion, I venture the suggestion that the Directors of 

 the Sierra Club investigate the feasibility of awakening a general 

 sentiment in favor of extending the present John Muir National 

 Park over such portions of the Tamalpais region as may be 

 desirable for park and military purposes as well. It is possible 

 that such interest taken by the Sierra Club and kindred organiza- 

 tions would lead to favorable Congressional action in the near 

 future. 



The Fremont National Park. 



The Native Sons of the Golden West held a convention at 

 Lake Tahoe in June, 1910, and adopted resolutions favoring the 

 formation of a new National Park from the Tahoe forest reserve. 

 On account of the historic importance of Donner Lake, they have 

 included portions of its watershed in their tentative plans. A 

 bill will be introduced in Congress, probably during the next 

 session, authorizing the creation of this National Park for the 

 reasons of its scenic charms and historic significance. As this 

 region was first explored by the intrepid Pathfinder in 1844, it is 

 suggested that this park be made a monument to his memory. 



Last summer some thirty Sierra Club members, under the 

 leadership of Mr. E. J. Mott, explored the interesting High 

 Sierra overlooking this magnificent lake and the headwaters of 

 the American River. They returned with glowing descriptions 

 of the wonders of Desolation Valley, the glacier lakes and 

 flower-starred meadows, snowy peaks and sparkling trout-streams. 



All Sierrans familiar with this entrancing Tahoe forest reserve 

 will welcome the idea of making this delightful wilderness better 

 known as a National Park, and we may well extend our co- 

 operating hands to the Native Sons by supporting their public- 

 spirited project. 



"Our National Parks" amid "The Mountains of California" are 

 everlasting monuments to the altruistic idealism of John Muir, 

 and we as his disciples should keep up the good work of park- 

 making whenever opportunities will permit. 



Very respectfully, 



Harold French. 



