January 1930

The Yosemite Museum Volume IX

JANUARY, 1930

Number 1 Department of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary National Park Service Horace M. Albright, Director

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

Published monthly Volume IX January 1930 Number 1

MULTIPLE GLACIATION IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

By F. E. MATTHES U. S. Geological Survey Definite and conclusive proof of its tributaries, however, soon entwo stages of glaciation was found abled the writer to distinguish furin the Sierra Nevada of California ther subdivisions of the glacial recin 1913, independently by Knopf, on ord. Each of the two great bodies the east flank of the range, and by of moraines he found to be comthe writer, in the Yosemite region. posite in its nature, so that together The evidence consists primarily of they embody a four-fold record—of two series, or bodies, of moraines— two earlier and two later glacial an older, characterized by subdued, advances. But whether each of partly eroded forms, and containing these glacial advances represents a weathered, disintegrating boulders, separate glaciation, or merely a and a younger characterized by major fluctuation of the glaciers, well-preserved, sharp crests and seemed at first uncertain. Comcontaining mostly fresh, unweathparative studies made in subsequent ered boulders. In addition, both obyears on the morainal systems of servers found erosional evidences of the Tuolumne, San Joaquin, Kings a roughly quantitative sort demonand Kaweah glaciers and revisits to strating that the interval between the Yosemite region, however, have the deposition of the older and since tended to confirm the writer's younger moraines was of the order opinion that the two later glacial of an interglacial stage. advances occurred in relatively The detailed mapping of the morapid succession and mark subraines of the Yosemite glacier and stages of a single—the last—stage Editor's note Published by permission of the logical Survey. Reprint from director of the United States GeoScience Magazine, July 19, 1929.

of glaciation; whereas the two earwithin the Yosemite Valley, as is lier advances were separated from attested by the frontal moraines each other by a long interval of above the Bridal Veil meadow, the time and mark two distinct stages Yosemite glacier of the second of glaciation. Accordingly, there is glacial stage reached ten miles on the west slope of the Sierra Nefarther down the Merced canyon vada a definite record of three sucand terminated a short distance becessive glaciations, of which the low El Portal, the entrance to the third and last had two climaxes. Yosemite ' National Park. Frontal The general correctness of Willard moraines are lacking there, but the D. Johnson's tentative recognition lateral moraines can readily be in 1905 of a triple glacial record in traced to the vicinity of El Portal, Bridgeport valley, on the east side and beyond that place begin the of the Sierra Nevada, is thereby remnants of a long valley train of borne out. outwash material that must have These proofs of multiple glaciaextended from the front of the tion in the Sierra Nevada of course glacier. The name El Portal stage render desirable the finding of therefore seems appropriate for this suitable names for the different stage of glaciation (no more suitstages. The last stage, to judge by able name derived from a locality in the fresh appearance of its moraines any of the major glaciated canyons and the excellent preservation of on the west flank of the range sugits glacier polish on rock surfaces, gests itself). doubtless corresponds to the last The earliest of the three glaciglacial stage in the Rocky mounations appears to be recorded in tains, and therefore is properly corthe Yosemite region only by erratic related with the Wisconsin stage boulders occurring singly or in rows of the continental ice. It scarcely, or groups, but without accompanyneeds a new name in the Sierra ing fine material, at levels 100 to Nevada, and, therefore, in his re 200 feet above the highest lateral ports on the Yosemite Valley and moraines of the El Portal stage. the San Joaquin basin the writer They lie in places where there is is referring to it as the Wisconsin every reason to believe that heavy, stage. Its division into two subcontinuous moraines once were laid stages would seem in harmony with down. As the conditions there are the well-known division into dison the whole favorable for the pretinct substages of the Wisconsin in servation of such moraines and as the north-central parts of the Contithe boulders consist invariably of nent. Still, the writer would not for exceedingly resistant rocks, such as the present dismiss altogether the quartzite or highly siliceous granite, possibility that what is here called the conclusion seems inescapable the first substage of the Wisconsin that the boulders are the sole surin the Sierra Nevada may be the viving remnants of moraines of a correlative of the Iowan. very early stage of glaciation that The ice of the preceding, or sechave wasted away almost completeond, glacial stage was much more ly. Such erratic boulders occur at a extensive in the Sierra Nevada than level about 700 feet above Glacier the ice of the Wisconsin stage. Point, extending in a row from the Whereas, the Yosemite glacier of east base of Sentinel Dome to the the Wisconsin stage terminated north end of Illilouette ridge.

Others are scattered on the broad ation—a minimum of seven feet, as divide east of Mount Starr King. is indicated by residual crags of The extreme antiquity of the boutresistant aplite—it may be judged ders above Glacier Point is attested that the time distance back to the also by the fact that, although they El Portal stage is at least 20 times, were carried by the ice only half a and perhaps 40 times, as long as mile from their parent ledges, they the post-glacial interval and is to have lost the angular forms of be reckoned in hundreds of thouplucked blocks and have become sands of years. The El Portal stage rounded by long-continued exfolitherefore, probably corresponds to ation in situ. For this early stage of the Illinoian, and the Glacier Point glaciation, accordingly, the name stage, by inference, may correspond Glacier Point stage is proposed. to the Kansan or even the NeCorrelation of the El Portal and braskan. Glacier Point stages with the genOf particular interest in this conerally accepted stages of the Pleisnection is the recent discovery by tocene determined in the area of Blackwelder at several points on continental glaciation can scarcely the east front of the Sierra Nevada be attempted at the present time. of what he regards as evidence of However, from the depth to which three, and possibly four, distinct the granite on Moraine Dome, on glaciations. It is to be hoped that the north side of the Little Yothese may soon be definitely corresemite, has disintegrated and wastlated with those recognized in the ed away since the El Portal glaciYosemite region.

MUSEUM GUESTS RECALL HISTORY OF YOSEMITE VALLEY

By H. E. Perry As in previous years, the Yocal facts of the park is apparent, semite Museum has been very popnot only by remarks that were ular among the thousands of visitmade in passing, but by the look of ors to the park this summer. Those genuine interest which clothed guests who were in the museum their expressions. during the early part of their soThe ranger-naturalist on duty in journ in the valley usually came the museum has many valuable exback many times for further and periences in meeting the guests. even more intensive study of the The various types of exhibits freexhibits. Those who delayed their quently call to their minds incivisits until just before leaving the dents which they like to pass on valley usually made a hurried tour and the ranger-naturalist often of the various rooms and often lafalls heir to interesting stories. mented the fact that they failed to From time to time he is the recipicome sooner. That all were appreent of stories relating to early Yociative of the attempt that is being semite history and it is then that made to acquaint them with the his attention is keenest. fauna, flora, geological and historiDuring the early part of August,

the writer had the pleasure of the two nephews of Galen Clark, meeting George Conway, who had Leo McCoy and A. M. McCoy, one come up from Merced for the day felt as though he were linking Mr. Conway had come to the muhands with the makers of history. seum to rekindle memories of his Leo McCoy's first visit to Yosemite youth, for in 1870 George was in was made in 1872, at which time he the valley as a boy with his father, visited his uncle, Galen Clark. In John Conway, the builder of several referring to this incident during his of the first trails in and around recent visit to the museum. Mr. McYosemite, such as the trail to Little Coy remarked that he and another Yosemite, the four-mile trail to brother, Galen Clark McCoy, and Glacier Point, etc. By 1870, James Galen Clark made a trip up towards C. Lamon, Yosemite's pioneer setLittle Yosemite during the latter tier, had become very well estabpart of September or the first part lished in the valley, having built of October, 1872, and that they his home, planted his orchards and stopped over night at Snow's La gardens soon after his arrival in Casa Nevada hotel, which had been 1859, built on the flat between Vernal George Conway was evidently an and Nevada falls in 1870. Inasmuch admirer of Mr. Lamon's apple oras the old register of the La Casa chard, for he said that he and some Nevada is on exhibition at the muother boys in the valley would freseum, a search was made through quently visit this orchard. Mr. Laits pages to see if the registration mon had given them permission to of the party could be found, and eat as many apples as they desired under the date of October 1, 1872, as long as they would eat the skins were the signatures of Galen Clark, too, for he said that these were G. C. McCoy and Leo McCoy. good for them, but he told them he About the first of September, would never give them any more Charles Leidig paid a short visit to apples if he ever found them throwthe museum. The name of Leidig is ing the peelings away. a familiar one to Yosemite visitors, At about the same time in August for one of the meadows still bears two elderly gentlemen paid the muthat name. The name has earlier seum a visit and it was of special significance, however, inasmuch as significance inasmuch as they were one of the former hotels was known nephews of Galen Clark. To one as Leidig's Hotel, having been built who is familiar with the history of by George F. Leidig in 1869 at a Yosemite, the name of Galen Clark point a mile below the present old looms large Settling in 1857 on the village. That same year there was south fork of the Merced at what born to the Leidig family a boy who is now Wawona, Galen Clark exwas christened Charles, the same plored the Mariposa grove In that boy who has visited us so reyear, bringing out the first detailed cently, and he has the honor of beinformation relative to the now faing the first white boy born in Yomous grove. In 1864 Clark was made Semite valley. guardian of Yosemite valley and the In one of the cases in the history Mariposa grove, a position which he room may be found a copy of "The held for twenty-four of the fortyYosemite Tourist," dated July 10, two years that this territory re1906, which tells of a thrill given mained a state park. In greeting passengers of five stages bound

from Raymond to Wawona. As the his gun went off in the distance. first of those stages approached a Such a story is interesting to read certain locality on the side of Chowbut mere interest changes to excitechilla mountain, an honest-to-goodment when the facts come from the ness masked highwayman, armed lips of one who participated in the with a .44 Winchester, stepped out events, for the "Miss Bowen," who into the road and commanded the so unwillingly passed the hat at the passengers to alight. He ordered his command of the highwayman, visityoung lady in the party, Miss ed the museum on September 8 and Bowen, to pass the hat among his related her experiences to a small victims of the first stage and to circle of interested listeners. collect all articles of value. She unAs can be readily seen, the history willingly complied with his request, of Yosemite valley since the comalthough additional " collectors " ing of the white man is still young were pressed into service as the enough to make it possible for many other stages drove up. All passenof the persons connected with it to gers were kept with hands held relate stories of their participation high until the bandit was ready to in the flow of events, and it is thus leave, at which time he ordered that there is a continual enriching everyone to remain motionless until of the lore of this famous valley. Yosemite Indian Caves By R. S. Smith Multitudes of tourists come and 15-foot climb over the boulders go in a season at Yosemite without leads to the open through a smaller knowing of the existence of the Incave above formed by the overlapdian caves. However, rangers are ping boulder. asked many times during the sumA short climb is required to reach mer to direct visitors to them and the upper Indian cave where the ranger-naturalists often visit them overlapping slab of granite makes a on the walks from Camp Curry. natural shelter about fifteen feet The caves are located at the foot wide and twenty feet long. Here, of the talus slope just below Washtoo, there are several smaller and ington Column, which towers 1952 more secret "chambers." feet above. They are formed by Grown-ups exhibit as much enimmense overlapping segments of thusiasm as children in the explogranite, which during the process ration of these caves A rangerof exfoliation have flaked off of the naturalist conducting a party of cliff above, The lower of the caves thirty invited the juvenile members is approximately a hundred feet to make the climb up through the long and seventy feet wide. Its en- "skylight" of the lower cave and trance is broad and is high enough evidently all considered themselves to admit a man standing. Many children, for the entire group recesses are included among the climbed through and from there on boulders beneath the roof, which is to the top of the rock covering the low and smoke-smudged. A small entrance. opening in the roof reached by a The smoke-blackened ceiling,

extensive acorn supplies and a expedition to Yosemite in 1851. storage basket found in some of Yosemite is rich in Indian lore the more remote recesses indicate and legend. Indian names add the use of the caves as habitations charm and interest to its natural by the Indians An Indian squaw beauties. To these caves they gave was found in these caves by the the name of "Lah-koo-hah," meanMariposa battalion on their first ing "Come Out." Winged Death By C. H. Oneal All was silent about 10 o'clock eye of the bird of prey spied the one warm morning. Several yards chipmunk. A few rapid beats of below us was a little flat in a clearthe wings and a dark brown streak ing on the easterly side of Glacier flashed across the clearing, There Point. A Tahoe chipmunk was eatwas a dull thud, a little dust, but ing a crust of toast at the upper no outcry, no struggle. A few secedge of the clearing. Behind it onds later the enemy flew away was a large rock. Off about 150 the victim motionless in his grasp yards at the very top of a tall dead As the hawk again made for the pine sat motionless a Western redtree the bright red tail proclaimed tailed hawk. Suddenly the keen his species.

YOSEMITE BIRD REPORT FOR NOVEMBER

By Enid Michael The monthly weather report for that brought down the number of November in the Yosemite Valley species was the utter absence of is indeed simple, as there is scarcewater birds. Usually during Noly anything to report except perfect vember ducks of one or more speweather. Not once during the ties are seen in the Yosemite. month was there any sort of storm. The acorn crop was small this The nights were cold of course, but fall. The California woodpecker, the lowest thermometer reading however, have made the best of the was 18 degrees. However the quiet meager crop and have managed to water of the "river pool" froze over tuck away a goodly store for the early in the month, and during the winter use. From present indicalast week many of the "locals" entions these birds plan to stay joyed good skating. through the winter. Blue-fronted Autumn colors came exceptionally jays are still common in the vallate this year and the height of the ley. In years of plenty the jays show came during the week beginclaim, and manage to get, a certain ning November 4. It is true that share of the acorns stored by the the exotics and the native maples woodpeckers. I am afraid though were in fine color a month earlier, that the jays will be out of luck this but the oaks and cottonwoods, trees winter for when the snow comes that are dominant on the floor of the woodpeckers will do their best the valley among the deciduous to run the jays out of the valley. type, did not really reach perfecBoth cedar and oak mistletoes tion until November 6. At this time bear a crop of berries this year and some of the tardy maples on the so there will be food for bluebirds north wall were also in fine color, and solitaire that choose to winter but many of the exotics were quite in the valley. leafless. Yosemite Birds Noted in Fifty-three is the average numNovember 1929 ber of birds noted during the November month in the Yosemite valGreat Blue Heron--A lone bird ley over a period of ten years. This noted a number of times during the year the number of species fell far month, and on November 6, three below normal, with only forty difwere seen. ferent species noted during the Mountain Quail—On two occamonth. Among the forty species sions three birds were seen. the waxwing was the only surprise Band-Tailed Pigeon--On the first of the month. day of the month a flock of 60 were The subnormal total of species seen, and also several small flocks. for this month is most likely due to After this date only stray birds the long stretch of perfect weather. were noted. Such birds as slate-colored junco, Sharp-Shinned Hawk--A one purple finch, hermit thrush and bird noted November 11. solitaire would probably appear in Red-Tailed Hawk— Twice a lone the valley if there were storms of bird was seen. any consequence. Another thing Swainson Hawk--A hawk that we

took to belong to this species was Golden-Crowned Sparrow—Groups noted on the first day of the month. of three or four frequently seen. Golden Eagle—A lone bird twice Chipping Sparrow—A lone bird seen about the bear pits. No doubt, on the first day of the month. feeding on carrion. Sierra Junco—Flocks present on Sparrow Hawk—A lone male bird the north side of the valley throughnoted on several occasions. out the month. Horned Owl—Two birds heard Sacramento Spotted Towhee— calling to one another on several Seven or eight birds present daily occasions during the month. about the mouth of Indian canyon. Pigmy Owl—A lone bird noted Not noted elsewhere. daily during the first two weeks of Waxwing—A lone bird that we the month. Thereafter but rarely took to be a Bohemian was seen noted. with a flock of Western Bluebirds. Belted Kingfisher—A few birds Hutton Vireo—A pair noted on probably present throughout the three occasions. month, but there were days when Audubon Warbler—Noted almost they were not found in their usual daily. A lone bird usually accomhaunts. panies each flock of Western BlueHairy Woodpecker—No doubt birds. present in small numbers throughWater Ouzel—Possibly present out the month, but there were days throughout the month, but if so, when we failed to find a single birdnot on their usual beats. Willow Woodpecker — Unusually Canyon Wren—No doubt present rare this month, never more than daily, as they were always to be one bird noted on a morning's walk, found in certain rock slides on the and there were many days when north side. the lone bird was missing. Winter Wren--A lone bird noted Nuttall Woodpecker--A single on November 14. bird noted November 8 and 18. Sierra Creeper—Found in all sec. White-Headed Woodpecker — A tions of the valley. lone male bird frequently noted Red-Breasted Nuthatch --- Single about the mouth of Indian canyon. birds or pairs frequently noted. Otherwise, rarely noted. Mountain Chickadee—Next to the Pileated Woodpecker—a lone bird jay, the most common bird. noted September 17. Ruby-Crowned Kinglet — Lone California Woodpecker—Still combirds noted almost daily. mon in all the Kellogg oak groves. Golden-Crowned Kinglet — Small Red-Shafted Flicker --- Present flocks to be found in many sections daily and six or eight to be noted of the valley. Western Robin—Rare. Not so in an hour's walk, common as the chart would indiBlue-Fronted Jay—The most comcate. Never more than three noted mon bird of the month, on our morning walk, and most ofCalifornia Purple Finch—A pair ten it was just a lone bird. noted on the third and fourth. Varied Thrush--Not numerous Pine Siskin—A flock of 106 feedTwelve was the greatest number ing in the alders November 4. On noted on any one day, three occasions thereafter smaller Western Bluebird--Among the flocks were noted in the same common birds of the month. Flocks alders. likely to be found in any of the KelWhite-Crowned Sparrow -- Three logg oak groves, where they come birds noted on two occasions. to feed on mistletoe berries.

This is the official publication of the Educational Department of Yosemite National Park. It is published each month by the National Park Service with the cooperation of the Yosemite Natural History Association, and its purpose is to supply authoritative information on the natural history and scientific features of Yosemite National Park. The articles published herein are not copyrighted as it is intended that they shall be freely used by the press. Correspondence should be addressed to C. A. Harwell, Park Naturalist, Yosemite National Park, California.

C. G. THOMSON

Superintendent

<!-- Page ll -->