Indians of the Yosemite Valley and Vicinity Part 7

Men will find flannel or negligee s.h.i.+rts the most comfortable.

In April, May and June wear warm clothing and take heavy wraps.

In July, August and September wear medium clothing, with light wraps. In October and November wear warm clothing, with heavy wraps. The nights are cool at all seasons.

Dusters are always advisable, and ladies should provide some light head covering to protect the hair from dust. Sun bonnets are frequently worn.

Short skirts are most convenient.

Divided skirts are proper for trail trips, as ladies are required to ride astride. Heavy denim for skirt and bloomers is very satisfactory. Such skirts can be hired in the Valley.

Waists of soft material and neutral shades are appropriate. Avoid white.

Something absolutely soft for neckwear will be found a great comfort, both by men and women.

Leggings, stout, comfortable shoes, and heavy, loose gloves, will be found very serviceable.

A soft felt hat is preferable to straw. One that will shade the eyes is best. A cloth traveling cap is the worst thing to wear.

Smoked gla.s.ses will sometimes save the wearer a headache.

Except in April, May and November, an umbrella is apt to be a useless enc.u.mbrance.

If the skin is sensitive, and one wishes to avoid painful sunburn, the use of a pure cream and soft cloth is preferable to water, and far more efficacious.

A week is the shortest time that should be allowed for a trip to Yosemite. Two weeks are better. The grandeur of the Valley cannot be fully appreciated in a few days. Those not accustomed to staging or mountain climbing should make some allowance in their itineraries for rest. Many visitors spoil their pleasure by getting too tired.

Take a little more money than you think will be needed. You may want to prolong your stay.

Hunting, or the possession of firearms, is not permitted in the Yosemite National Park. Fis.h.i.+ng is allowed, and in June and July an expert angler is likely to be well rewarded. Rods and tackle may be hired in the Valley.

There is no hards.h.i.+p, risk or danger in any part of the Yosemite trip. Many old people and children visit the Valley without difficulty.

A knowledge of horsemans.h.i.+p is not needed for going on the trails. The most timid people make the trips with enjoyment. Some of the finest views can only be obtained in this way.

There is a laundry in the Valley.

There is a barber shop.

There is a post office, telegraph and express. There is a general store and places for the sale of photographs, curios and Indian work.

Treat the Indians with courtesy and consideration, if you expect similar treatment from them. Do not expect them to pose for you for nothing. They are asked to do it hundreds of times every summer, and are ent.i.tled to payment for their trouble.

Kodak films and plates can be obtained in the Valley.

Developing and printing are done in the Valley.

TAKE YOUR CAMERA.

OFFICIAL TABLE OF DISTANCES AND LIVERY CHARGES.

The following are the legal rates for transportation of tourists in and about the Yosemite Valley:

CARRIAGES.

FROM HOTELS OR PUBLIC E D ( R o M R o F CAMPS, AND RETURN. s i R a f o a f o t s o t r t u i t u e F e e L r m a n o e a n d f u f s t c o r o s e e t r r d r o t i P r P h p a a a ) r r n t t y y

Miles Each Each Person Person To Cascades, Yosemite and Bridal Veil Falls 16.00 $1.50 $2.00

To Mirror Lake 5.82 1.00 1.00

To River View and Bridal Veil Falls 10.41 1.00 1.50

To New Inspiration Point 14.38 2.00 2.50

To Happy Isles 4.00 .50 1.00

To Yosemite Falls 3.00 .50 .75

SADDLE HORSES.

----------------------------+------------+---------------+-------------- FROM HOTELS OR PUBLIC Estimated Rate for Rate for CAMPS, AND RETURN. Distance Party of Party of Less (Round Four or More Than Four Trip) ----------------------------+------------+---------------+-------------- Miles Each Person Each Person To Vernal and Nevada Falls 10.90 $ 2.50 $ 3.00 To Yosemite Falls and Eagle Peak 13.18 3.00 3.00 To Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome 11.14 3.00 3.00 To Yosemite Point 10.00 2.50 3.00 To Eagle Peak 13.00 3.00 3.00 To Vernal and Nevada Falls and Glacier Point (Continuous Trip) 19.22 4.00 5.00 To Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome and Fissures 14.00 3.50 3.75 To Old Inspiration Point and Stanford Point 16.00 4.00 4.00 To Vernal and Nevada Falls and Cloud's Rest (Same Day) 22.00 4.00 5.00 Charges for Guide (Including Horse) When Furnished Free 3.00 ----------------------------+------------+---------------+----------

1. Trips other than those above specified shall be subject to special arrangements between the parties and the stables.

2. Any excess of the above rates, as well as any extortion, incivility, misrepresentation, or riding of unsafe animals, should be reported to the Superintendent's office.

3. All distances are estimated from the Superintendent's office.

SUPPLEMENTARY TABLE OF DISTANCES.

FROM SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE.

MILES Bridal Veil Falls 4 Yosemite Falls, base 3/4 Upper Yosemite Fall, base 2 3/4 Upper Yosemite Fall, top 4 1/4 Little Yosemite Valley 8 Glacier Point (short trail) 4 1/2 Glacier Point (via Nevada Falls) 14 1/2 Cascades 8

INTERPRETATION OF INDIAN NAMES.

The Indians had names for all the prominent features of the Yosemite Valley, and these have been variously translated (sometimes with considerable poetic license), and variously spelled. The translations given below are as literal as possible, without embellishment, and are believed to be fairly accurate.

The spelling adopted is such as best indicates the p.r.o.nunciation.

The English names, by which the falls and peaks are commonly known, bear no relation to the Indian names, but were bestowed by the soldiers of the Mariposa Battalion at the time the Valley was discovered. The appropriateness and good taste of most of them are due to Dr. L.H. Bunnell, the surgeon of the expedition.

AH-WAH'-NEE (original name of Yosemite Valley)--"Deep gra.s.sy valley."