[The Yosemite by John Muir]@TWC D-Link bookThe Yosemite CHAPTER 1 28/42
The others are seldom noticed or mentioned; although in almost any other country they would be visited and described as wonders. The six intermediate falls in the gorge between the head of the Lower and the base of the Upper Yosemite Falls, separated by a few deep pools and strips of rapids, and three slender, tributary cascades on the west side form a series more strikingly varied and combined than any other in the Valley, yet very few of all the Valley visitors ever see them or hear of them.
No available standpoint commands a view of them all.
The best general view is obtained from the mouth of the gorge near the head of the Lower Fall.
The two lowest of the series, together with one of the three tributary cascades, are visible from this standpoint, but in reaching it the last twenty or thirty feet of the descent is rather dangerous in time of high water, the shelving rocks being then slippery on account of spray, but if one should chance to slip when the water is low, only a bump or two and a harmless plash would be the penalty.
No part of the gorge, however, is safe to any but cautious climbers. Though the dark gorge hall of these rejoicing waters is never flushed by the purple light of morning or evening, it is warmed and cheered by the white light of noonday, which, falling into so much foam and and spray of varying degrees of fineness, makes marvelous displays of rainbow colors.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|