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The best method, undoubtedly, to see the Yosemite Valley and the Big Tree Grove is for the traveller to make the round trip, starting from Coulterville and returning to Mariposa, or vice versa. The accommodations are good at Black's on the Coulterville side, and at Clark's on the other side, and there are the usual stopping places on the way in and out of the valley. But as Black's is only seventeen miles from Coulterville, the distance is quite unequally divided on that side by the "Halfway House," so that one day's ride is quite fatiguing, being about thirtytwo miles. This may be avoided, however, by establishing a public house at Deer Flat, and straightening the road, which now is extremely circuitous, the distance from Coulterville to Deer Flat being only a little over twelve miles in a direct line, while it is nearly double that by the present trail.

The trail on the Coulterville side passes the Bower Cave, a curiosity well worth seeing, while on the Mariposa side the views from the trail descending into the valley are sublime, and such as cannot be obtained. from any other points. It is for the traveller to decide whether he prefers getting these grand general views of the valley after he has already been there, or on his way into it. If he wishes to have the whole grandeur of the Yosemite revealed to him at once, he will enter the valley on the Mariposa side; if, on the other hand, he prefers to see the various points in succession, one after another, and then, finally, as he leaves the valley, to have these glorious general views as a kind of summing up of the whole, he will enter by the Coulterville and depart by the Mariposa side. In that case much the hardest day's work will be the second, or the ride from Black's into the valley.

A wagon road can be made without much difficulty from Black's to the edge of the valley; but to construct one into the valley, down the cliffs on that side, would be extremely difficult and expensive, if, indeed, possible at all. On the south side a wagon road can be made into the valley, but the expense would be very considerable, probably not less than thirty thousand dollars. A considerable saving of time and labor for those not accustomed to riding horseback, could be made by continuing the wagon road from White & Hatch's to Clark's, which could probably be done in good shape for about ten thousand dollars.

The Commissioners do not, however, consider it any part of their duty to improve the approaches to the valley or Big Trees; this may safely be left to the competition of the counties, towns, and individuals interested in securing the travel. A small expenditure, on either side, will will bring the Yosemite to within one day's easy ride on horsebackthat is to say, easy for persons somewhat accustomed to mountain travel. And when a wagon road shall have been extended from Coulterville to the brow of the valley on that side, and to Clark's on the other, the trip need no longer be one which will over-fatigue travellers in ordinary health, provided they do not attempt to make the journey in the smallest possible number of days, thus sacrificing everything to the single idea of getting through the journey rapidly.

In the valley, the Commissioners are desirous of continuing the work begun by them, of making all the most interesting points as accessible as possible, and of removing all obstacles to free circulation. The road around the valley requires improving; the trail to the Vernal Fall needs some additional work to make it secure; a bridge must be built over the Illiluette Fork, and a staircase up the Vernal Fall. A bridge across the Merced at the upper end of the valley, and one across the Tenaya Fork, are also desirable; and the Commissioners recommend an appropriation

of twelve hundred dollars to enable them to effect these improvements during the next two years.

The following is a summary of the above report :

1. The Commissioners propose to leave the improvement of the roads to the Big Trees and the Yosemite Valley to parties interested in increasing the amount of travel on either of the rival routes.

2. They desire to continue, on a moderate scale, the improvements in and about the valley itself, for the purpose of rendering interesting points more accessible, and to remove all charges on visitors for trails, bridges, ladders, ferries, etc. For this purpose they ask an appropriation of twelve hundred dollars, or six hundred dollars for each of the next two years.

3. They propose to increase the salary of the guardian, so that he may pay an assistant guardian, and in order that one or the other of them may remain permanently in the valley during the season of visitors. For this they ask authority and an appropriation of two thousand dollars, or one thousand dollars per annum.

4. They also ask for eight hundred dollars to pay the necessary expenses incurred by them in preparing a plat and survey of the claims in the valley, which has been found indispensable.

5. They intend to continue the legal investigation of the claims of the settlers in the valley until the highest Court of law has decided on their value.

6. They leave it to the Legislature to say whether any remuneration shall be made to these settlers, Messrs. Lamon & Hutchings, for damage done them by the action of Congress and the State in taking possession of the valley.

7. They ask that police authority be given to the guardian and subguardian of the Yosemite Valley, so that offenders may be arrested at once, without the necessity of taking out a warrant at a place sixty miles distant from the spot where the offence was committed.

8. They ask for one thousand dollars to pay the necessary travelling expenses of the Commissioners, and all other incidental expenses, during the next two years.

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The above is the smallest sum with which the business of the Commission can be carried on for the next two years.

The above is respectfully submitted, by order of the Board, together with the Treasurer's account of expenditures, as required by law.

J. D. WHITNEY,

Chairman of Executive Committee.

SAN FRANCISCO, November 14th, 1867.

TREASURER'S ACCOUNT.

WILLIAM ASHBURNER, TREASURER,

IN ACCOUNT WITH

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO MANAGE YOSEMITE VALLEY AND MARIPOSA BIG TREE GROVE.

1866.

Nov. 23. To cash from State of California, being one half appropriation for eighteenth fiscal year.......

1867.

April 17 To cash, being second half of appropria

1866.

tion....

Oct. 20.. By bill of E. Bosqui & Co., for printing..
Oct. 20.. By travelling expenses......

Oct. 20.. By stationery

Nov. 23. G. W. Coulter, travelling expenses.

Nov. 23. Bill of Geo. B. Hitchcock & Co.....
Nov. 24. Galen Clark, guardian.....

1867.

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SAN FRANCISCo, October 24th, 1867.

WILLIAM ASHBURNER,

Treasurer.

I certify that the above expenditures were made by authority of the Commissioners to manage the Yosemite Valley and Big Tree Grove.

J. D. WHITNEY,

Chairman of Executive Committee.

BY-LAWS

OF THE

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

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