The Calaveras Group is the one known to the World as the Big Trees of California, and the one chiefly visited by tourists. It comprises the Mammoth and the South Park groves. The Mammoth grove contains ninety-three of these
Giants of the Forest,
among which are the
MOTHER OF THE FOREST, the bark from which was exhibited in the Crystal Palace, London; the
FATHER OF THE FOREST, through whose prostrate trunk thousands have ridden on horseback; and the
ORIGINAL BIG TREE, the stump of which forms the floor of the famous Pavilion, thirty-two feet in diameter.
The South Park grove, six miles distant, has thirteen hundred and eighty of these trees, many of them of immense size. One, still standing and growing, has the inner portion at the base burned out, making a room large enough to contain sixteen men on horseback at the same time; and yet, enough of the outer rim of the tree is left to support the colossal proportions above.
The Calaveras Group surpasses all others in the grandeur and beauty of its trees, and is the only one having hotel accommodations.
Tourists leaving Stockton will take the cars of the Copperopolis railroad at 9 o'clock, A.M., to Milton, twenty-eight miles, connecting with a daily line of Concord coaches via Winthrop's, for the Big Trees, making the entire distance in ten hours. At Murphy's, stages leave daily for Yosemite Valley per Hutching's new route, being the shortest and best to Yosemite Valley. A daily line of coaches leave Galt for the Big Trees. At Melton, and Murphy's, private conveyances can be obtained for the Big Trees and Yosemite Valley, at low rates.
THOMAS HOUSEWORTH, Agent,
317 and 319 Montgomery St., San Francisco.