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.
ROAD TRIP II
A TOUR OF THE FLOOR OF THE VALLEY
(9 miles—2 hours ride—1/2 to 1 day walk)
Every Yosemite visitor should spend at least one day within the valley itself before beginning the more strenuous trail trips. There is so much to be seen from the valley floor that weeks might be spent there were it not for "the call of the High Country" beyond the walls. The following itinerary includes a visit to most places of interest in the upper (east) end of the valley: Sentinel Bridge, Indian Village, Royal Arches, Washington Column, Indian Cave, Mirror Lake, Half Dome, Mineral Springs, Tenaya Bridge, Happy Isles, Camp Curry and Le Conte Memorial Lodge, in the order mentioned.
Road Trips I and VI describe the region west of the village. The following excursion may be made by motor in two or three hours. Hikers will find it a moderately long half-day tramp or a leisurely one-day ramble. An early start should be made in order to see the sunrise at Mirror Lake. It is well to ascertain the hour beforehand, for this varies with the season of the year.
From Yosemite Village we cross Sentinel Bridge and follow the poplar-bordered road across the meadow. Straight ahead is Yosemite Fall and the Lost Arrow, and at our right a most comprehensive view of North Dome, the Royal Arches, Washington Column, Half Dome and Glacier Point. At the Grizzly Hotel site the El Capitan Road (Road Trip VI) branches westward, while our route turns up the canyon. The distant buildings to the left of the road are the Government barns, shops and warehouses. In this group is the menagerie which will well repay a subsequent visit. Nearer is the picturesque old cemetery where many pioneers of the region lie at rest. A little farther eastward on the largest open level area in Yosemite is the site of the important old village of Ah-wah´-ne, from which the valley took its Indian name.
Continuing along the Royal Arch Road we soon pass the new Rangers' Club House. Just beyond, a cross road to the right leads to the garage. To the northward, high overhead, are the silhouettes of the Castle Cliffs, and at their east the deep cleft of Indian Canyon which, to the Yosemite tribe, was "Le Hammo" because of the arrowwood which grew there. Along the precipitous cliffs of the east wall ran their main trail into Yosemite from the north. From the valley floor at the base of a cliff just west of the Royal Arches they first climbed a large oak and then made their way along narrow ledges toward the northwest. It was at this oak that old Chief Tenaya was captured in 1851 by Lieutenant Chandler and the scout Sandino.
At the mouth of Indian Canyon is Yo´-watch-ke, the only Indian village in the valley which is still occupied. During the July celebrations it is picturesquely alive but at other times the few dirty o´-chums are almost repulsive. This area on the alluvial fan of Indian Creek is the warmest spot in the valley and botanists will here find many plants typical of the lower altitudes.