Notes and Correspondence 



191 



public faith in their reliabihty, and lead to the discarding of other 

 figures (some of them much exaggerated) that have appeared in print 

 from time to time. 



In closing, it may be said, that the Geological Survey's Bulletin little 

 more than hints at the fortitude and pluck of Mr. Birdseye and his party 

 in their almost disastrous experiences on the peak. Survey men are so 

 frequently confronted by peril in their daily work, that they are not apt 

 to write or talk about it, and as a consequence the public seldom learns 

 the intimate details. It is to be hoped that the history of this under- 

 taking will some day appear in full. F. E. Matthes. 



Will Open Trail Into Grouse Valley 



Grouse or Paradise Valley is to be opened to the mountaineer and 

 the tourist from the Fresno side by a trail. 



This is the plan that Sapervisor Paul G. Redington of the Sierra 

 National Forest presented yesterday to the supervisors at a confer- 

 ence to secure their co-operation and financial assistance in trail 

 building in the mountains of this county. The particular trail that 

 he has in mind at this time is the extension of the Tehipite-Simpson 

 Meadow trail into Grouse Valley on the Middle Fork of Kings River. 



The trail from Tehipite up the canon of the Middle Fork to Simp- 

 son Meadow, was put in good condition last year, and for the first 

 time safe passage through this canon may now be made. About six 

 miles above Simpson Meadows lies Grouse Valley, which though ac- 

 cessible by trail from the Inyo county side of the mountains, can be 

 reached from the Fresno county side only by an arduous and somewhat 

 perilous climb. Because of the scenery, excellent horse feed and good 

 hunting and fishing to be found at Grouse Valley, a strong demand has 

 been made for a feasible trail to connect it with Simpson Meadow. 



While the proposed trail will be through a very rough and picturesque 

 section, it is estimated by the Forest Supervisor that the trail can be 

 built for about $3,000. Supervisor Redington will allot a portion of 

 the government funds to assist in putting through this trail, and the 

 Sierra Club has volunteered to make an appropriation for the same 

 purpose. 



It was brought out in the discussion that because of the cost, the 

 complete trail cannot be built during the coming season, but a con- 

 siderable portion of it will be built under the direction of the forest 

 service. The supervisors promised co-operation and ordered an al- 

 lowance of $500 out of the general road fund to be made after July 

 next for this season's work. The Sierra Club and the Forest Service 

 are expected to contribute a like sum. 



Supervisor Redington also announced that he will continue the 

 policy of annually adding new "tourist pastures", improving trails and 

 otherwise looking out for the comfort and convenience of the outing 

 public. — Fresno Republican, Jan. 10, 1914. 



