Sacred Texts  Native American  California  Index  Previous 

p. 101

Appendix.

HINTS TO YOSEMITE VISITORS.

This chapter is included in this etext for completeness. Of course, the vast majority of this quaint tourist information, originally published in 1904, (except for the geographical and etymological facts) is a century out of date. The advice to "TAKE YOUR CAMERA" is timeless, though.--J. B. Hare.

Secure stage seats in advance.

Take only hand baggage, unless for a protracted visit. For a short trip, an outing suit and two or three waists, with a change for evening wear, will be found sufficient. The free baggage allowance on the stage lines is fifty pounds.

Men will find flannel or negligee shirts 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

p. 102

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 glasses will sometimes save the wearer a headache.

Except in April, May and November, an umbrella is a useless encumbrance.

If the skin is sensitive, and one wishes to avoid a 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 weeks.

p. 103

Those not accustomed to staging or mountain climbing should make some allowance in their itineraries for rest. Many visitors spoil their visit by getting too tired.

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

Hunting, or possession of firearms, is not permitted in the Yosemite National Park. Fishing 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 hardship, risk or danger in any part of the Yosemite trip. Many old people and children visit the Valley without difficulty.

A knowledge of horsemanship is not needed for going on the trail. 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.

p. 104

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 entitled 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.

p. 105

OFFICIAL TABLE OF DISTANCES AND LIVERY CHARGES.

The following rates for the transportation of tourists in and about the Yosemite Valley have been established by the Board of Commissioners to manage the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove:

CARRIAGES.

Continued on next page.

p. 106

SADDLE HORSES.

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 Guardian's office.

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

By ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

p. 107

SUPPLEMENTARY TABLE OF DISTANCES.

FROM GUARDIAN'S OFFICE.

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 pronunciation.

The English names, by which the falls and peaks are commonly known, bear no relation to the Indian names, but were bestowed by

p. 108

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 grassy valley."

YO-SEM'-I-TE--"Full-grown grizzly bear."

PO-HO'-NO (Bridal Veil)--"A puffing wind."

LOI'-YA (The Sentinel)--"A signal station."

CHO'-LACK (Yosemite Falls)--"The falls."

CHO-KO'-NI (Royal Arches)--"Canopy of baby basket." Strictly speaking this name applies only to a deep alcove near the top of this cliff.

YO-WEI'-YEE (Nevada)--"Twisting."

TO-TAU-KON-NU'-LA (El Capitan)--Named from the To-tau'-kons, or cranes, which used to make their nests in a meadow near the top of this rock.

KU-SO'-KO (Cathedral Rock)--Interpretation doubtful.

PU-SEE'-NA CHUCK'-AH (Cathedral Spires)--"Pu-see-na" means mouse or rat, and might possibly be applied to a squirrel. "Chuck-ah" is a store house or cache.

p. 109

WAW-HAW'-KEE (Three Brothers)--"Falling rocks." Pom-pom-pa'-sus, usually given as the Indian name of the Three Brothers, is the name of a smaller rock immediately to the West.

WEI-YOW' (Mt. Watkins)--"Juniper Mountain."

TO-KO'-YA (North Dome)--"The basket."

TIS-SA'ACK (Half Dome)--A character in Indian mythology.

MAH'-TA (Cap of Liberty)--Said to mean "Martyr Mountain."

PI-WEI'-ACK (Vernal Fall)--Said to mean "Sparkling Water."

LE-HAM'-I-TEE (Indian Canyon)--"The place of the arrow-wood."

HUM-MO' (Devil's Thumb)--"The Lost Arrow."

AH-WEI'-YA (Mirror Lake)--"Quiet Water."

TOO-LOO'-LO-WEI-ACK (Illillouette Fall)--Interpretation doubtful.

WAH'-WO-NAH--"Big Tree." (Now commonly spelled and pronounced Wa-wo'-na.)

p. 110

HEIGHTS OF YOSEMITE'S WATERFALLS.

YOSEMITE'S PEAKS AND DOMES,

WITH ALTITUDES ABOVE FLOOR OF VALLEY.

(The Valley Floor is about 4,000 feet above sea level.)

p. 111

NAMES OF INDIAN NUMERALS.

King-eet'	One
O-tee'-cat	Two
Tul-o'-cat	Three
O-'e-sart	Four
Mo'-ho"-cat	Five
Te'-mo"-cat	Six
Te-tow'-ok	Seven
Cow-in'-tuk	Eight
El'-e"-wok	Nine
Ne-ah'-jah	Ten

Larger numbers are expressed by combinations of these numbers.

INDIAN WORDS IN COMMON USE.

Wat-too'	The Sun
Co'-ma	Moon
He-a'-mah	Day
Cow-il'-la	Night
Tum-aw'-lin	North
Chu'-muck	South
He'-home	East
El-o'-win	West
Het-a-poo'-pa	Cold
Wool-tut'-tee	Hat [sic]
Come'-haw	Burn
Chum'-haw	Dead or Die
Na'-win	Up or Above
Hoo'-ya	Down or Below
Wool-ar'-nee	To Hunt or Look For
Took'-hah	To Kill
E'-win	Now
Oo'-haw	By and Bye
Man'-nik	More
Ut'-tee	Much
Wa'-le-co	Quick
Now'-tah	To Steal
Nung'-hah	Man
O'-hock	Woman
Es-el'-lo	Baby or Infant

p. 112

NAMES OF THE INDIAN TRIBES PLACED
ON THE
FRESNO AND KINGS RIVER RESERVATIONS
IN 1850 AND 1851.

Wil-tuk'-um-nees	Tuolumne River
Yo-sem'-i-tees	Yosemite Valley
Po-to-en'-sees and Noot'-choos	Merced River
Chow-chil'-lies	Chowchilla Valley
Me-'-woos	Fresno Valley
Chook-chan'-chies	Fresno and San Joaquin Rivers
Ho-na'-ches	San Joaquin River
Pit-cal'-chees and Tal-an'-chees	San Joaquin Valley
Cas-was'-sees	Fine Gold Gultch
Wa-too'-keees, Wat'-chees, No-'to--no'-tose and We-mel'-chees	Kings River
Cow-il'-lees and Tel-um'-nees	Four Creeks
Woo'-wells and Tal'-chees	Tule Lake