(5 miles--20 minutes by stage)
The ~Bridalveil Road~, ascending the south side of the valley, is
scenically superior to the north, or El Capitan Road. Crossing Pohono
Bridge to the south side of the Merced the road immediately enters a
dense and beautiful forest. A short distance takes us to ~Fern
Spring~, justly famous for the purity of its ice cold water. One-half
mile beyond we suddenly emerge at ~Bridalveil Meadows~, obtaining a
most charming view of the Gates of the Valley. At the right,
~Bridalveil Fall~ leaps 630 feet from its hanging valley, the one side
of which is formed by the massively sculptured ~Cathedral Rocks~, and
the other by a solid granite ridge terminating at ~Leaning Tower~,
another eminence of the turreted south wall. On the opposite side of
the canyon rises the sheer face of ~El Capitan~. In the recess at its
west the evanescent streamer of ~Ribbon Fall~ descends in a lace-like
film.
At the edge of the meadow about 100 feet north of the road a dense
grove of oaks and pines shelters the graves of two pioneers, Rose and
Shurban, who were massacred here by the Indians in May, 1852. Near the
river was once the Indian village of Sap-pah´-sam-mah. The road now
passes near ~Bridalveil Fall~, charming glimpses of which are now and
then revealed. A subsidiary road turns to the right and leads to the
foot of the falls. This short side trip should be taken by all
visitors. Just below a very large rock at the east margin of the
stream is the site of the ancient village of Lem-me´-hitch´-ke. In
view of this fact, our stories of the Indians' great fear of Pohono,
"the spirit of the evil wind," may be somewhat overdrawn.
Just below the imposing buttress of the lowermost of the Cathedral
Rocks is ~El Capitan Bridge~, and near it ~Lo-to-ya~ (Flower)
~Spring~. North of the river is El Capitan Checking Station and the
terminus of the ~Big Oak Flat Road~ (Road Trip IV). East of Cathedral
Rocks we are treated to a sudden view of the two marvelously slender
~Cathedral Spires~, each rising 500 feet from its base and appearing
to tower even above the Yosemite rim. Directly opposite across ~El
Capitan Meadows~ is a most comprehensive view of the mighty wall of
Tote-ack-ah-noo-la, the "Rock Chief" of the Indians, whose title was
merely translated into Spanish to make the present name. Chauffeurs
often point out the likeness of the chief and other more or less
imaginary mural images. In a shallow niche 1189 feet above the road
stands a hardy Jeffrey pine 82.4 feet high and two feet in diameter.
In driving beneath the oaks, alders, pines and firs we enjoy
ever-changing vistas across the placid river. ~Three Brothers~,
massively piled promontories of the north wall, are least harshly seen
from this road. Directly ahead rises the watchtower of ~Sentinel
Rock~. At its west flank the transitory ~Sentinel Fall~ descends in a
series of cascades during the spring thaws. Below Sentinel Rock we
pass the site of Galen Clark's cabin, of old Camp Awahnee, and of the
more ancient Indian village of Loi'-ah. About one and a quarter miles
further is Yosemite Village. All campers should register at the
National Park Service headquarters.