January 1931

Vol. X

JANUARY, 1931

No.1

Bodie, Old Mining Town That Is Coming Back.

THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT

Published Monthly Volume X January 1931 Number 1

SPECTACULAR VIEWS FROM DANA SUMMIT

The Geological Formations of Mountains; Weird Mono Craters By ROBERT R. ROSE Ranger Naturalist, The summit of Mount Dana affords one of the finest views to be obtained from any mountain peak in North America. That one time covered the entire Sierra Nevada region. They Were originally formed as sediments deposited layer upon layer as slimy muds, sands, silts and chalky shell remains in an ancient ocean basin. This is the general sentiment expressed by hundreds of nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts These were altered to slates, enthusiasts who have accompanied marbles, quartzites and schist by the High Sierra hikers' parties the great heat and pressure accom- by Yosemite nature panying the uplift and folding of who have accompanied the High Sierra hikers' parties conducted by Yosemite nature guides to Dana's summit. the ocean bottom sediments. The From Dana Meadows near Tioga the three-mile trek to the top, sediments were folded, highly altered and transformed into dry 13,050 feet above sea, is over upland. a marked trail making an ascent of The complex metamorphic rock, More than 3000 feet The greater comprising Mount Dana, as well as part of the journey is over rough many other peaks of the saw-tooth Surfaces of solid rock in places. The crest region, can be easily distinguished part is over steeper rock guished from the granite of the slopes covered with detached rock main mass of the Sierra. The fragments loosened by the tremendous granite came from deep within the dous prying and heaving action of earth and cooled and crystallized Water that collects and freezes in from a hot, molten condition upon the joints and crevices. arriving within a few thousand

GEOLOGY

feet of the surface. It has become The rocks comprising Mount Dana are at once recognized as slates, marbles and schists with extremely hard metamorphic rocks and are not once recognized. Metamorphic rocks called metamorphic rocks the high Sierra, only the contemporary remnants of the ancient content, exclusively small and scattered.

nants remain of the enormous content. mantle of intensely compressed and

MARK TWAIN'S WASH DAY

altered rocks that covered the If one accepts the possibility that Sierra region at an early stage in Mark Twain might have exaggerits history. ated the truth in speaking of Mono

VIEW TO EAST

lake there is still ample proof reArriving at the summit of Dana maining in his story to impress the great panorama to the east one regarding the extreme alkatakes one by complete surprise. unity of its waters. It seems that Dana is one of the culminating Mark conceived the idea of reducpoints along the crest of the great ing the labors of wash day about Sierra Nevada mountain block the camp by placing the week's whose eastern slope descends quite washing in the briny waters to abruptly to the Great Basin in con soak over night. Imagine his emtrast to the broad western slope harassment the next morning upon that descends gently for some 80 finding but a few gangling shreds miles to the great interior plain of remaining of the entire washing! California. The west-sloping Sier He later discovered that the dera Nevada mountain range occusired results could be obtained by pies nearly all of Eastern Califor placing the clothes in the water nia. The Great Basin begins at the for only a short time, much to their foot of the steep eastern front of betterment. the Sierra and extends across NeMountains rise on either side of vada and Utah. The Great Basin the lake more than a thousand is by no means flat but consists feet above its surface, some reachessentially of mountain ranges ing almost 3000 feet. But the separated by wide valleys trending mighty Sierra bulwark towering in a roughly north-south direction thousands of feet higher dwarfs

MONO LAKE

the rugged and barren mountains At the foot of the steep eastern about Mono into insignificance. front of the Sierra range and with

CRATERS ACTIVE

in a few miles of the California-SINCE ICE AGE Nevada boundary line lies Mono Immediately to the south of Lake. its surface usually appears Mono lake lie Mono craters. Look so even and brilliant that it re ing down into the craters of these resembles a great sheet of burnished beautifully symmetrical cones one metal. Looking down upon this half expects to see weird flashes beautiful lake almost 7000 feet of fire, clouds of vapor and black below and 12 miles distant one dust roll upward from their would never realize that it is truly throats. Measured in years these a Dead Sea. A traveler would perish if he were unable to find water with which to quench his thirst. The lake is fed by the sparkling pure waters from the snowy crest of the Sierra, yet its waters are so highly charged with alkali and mineral salts that no life inhabits its depths except myriads of little brine shrimp and the larvae of a fly. Evaporation from its surface is the only outlet, which accounts for its high alkali and salt content. MARK TWAIN'S WASH DAY If one accepts the possibility that Mark Twain might have exaggerated the truth in speaking of Mono lake, there is still ample proof remaining in his story to impress one regarding the extreme alkalinity of its waters. It seems that Mark conceived the idea of reducing the labors of wash day about the camp by placing the week's washing in the briny waters to soak over night. Imagine his embarrassment the next morning upon finding but a few gangling shreds of remaining of the entire washing! He later discovered that the desired results could be obtained by placing the clothes in the water for only a short time, much to their betterment. Mountains rise on either side of the lake more than a thousand feet above its surface, some reaching almost 3000 feet. But the mighty Sierra bulwark towering thousands of feet higher dwarfs the rugged and barren mountains about Mono into insignificance. VIEW TO EAST Arriving at the summit of Dana the great panorama to the east takes one by complete surprise. Dana is one of the culminating points along the crest of the great Sierra Nevada mountain block whose eastern slope descends quite abruptly to the Great Basin in contrast to the broad western slope that descends gently for some 80 miles to the great interior plain of California. The west-sloping Sierra Nevada mountain range occupies nearly all of Eastern California. The Great Basin begins at the foot of the steep eastern front of the Sierra and extends across Nevada and Utah. The Great Basin is by no means flat but consists essentially of mountain ranges separated by wide valleys trending in a roughly north-south direction. MONO LAKE At the foot of the steep eastern front of the Sierra range and within a few miles of the California-Nevada boundary line lies Mono Lake. Its surface usually appears so even and brilliant that it resembles a great sheet of burnished metal. Looking down upon this beautiful lake almost 7000 feet below and 12 miles distant one would never realize that it is truly a Dead Sea. A traveler would perish if he were unable to find water with which to quench his thirst. The lake is fed by the sparkling pure waters from the snowy crest of the Sierra, yet its waters are so highly charged with alkali and mineral salts that no life inhabits its depths except myriads of little brine shrimp and the larvae of a fly. Evaporation from its surface is the only outlet, which accounts for its high alkali and salt content. MARK TWAIN'S WASH DAY If one accepts the possibility that Mark Twain might have exaggerated the truth in speaking of Mono lake, there is still ample proof remaining in his story to impress one regarding the extreme alkalinity of its waters. It seems that Mark conceived the idea of reducing the labors of wash day about the camp by placing the week's washing in the briny waters to soak over night. Imagine his embarrassment the next morning upon finding but a few gangling shreds of remaining of the entire washing! He later discovered that the desired results could be obtained by placing the clothes in the water for only a short time, much to their betterment. Mountains rise on either side of the lake more than a thousand feet above its surface, some reaching almost 3000 feet. But the mighty Sierra bulwark towering thousands of feet higher dwarfs the rugged and barren mountains about Mono into insignificance. CRATERS ACTIVE SINCE ICE AGE Immediately to the south of Mono lake lie Mono craters. Looking down into the craters of these beautifully symmetrical cones one half expects to see weird flashes of fire, clouds of vapor and black dust roll upward from their throats. Measured in years these have been extinct for ish if he were unable to find other ages. But in the grand series of water with which to quench his events in the geological formation thirst. The lake is fed by the spar of this vast region they were burn kling pure waters from the snowy only yesterday. Mono craters were crest of the Sierra, yet its waters active after the glaciers of the are so highly charged with alkali great ice age had sculptured the and mineral salts that no life in canyons and spires of the Sierra habits its depths except myriads of In places volcanic material from little brine shrimp and the larvae these craters covers the moraines of a fly. Evaporation from its sur- and polished surfaces fashioned by face is the only outlet, which ac- the glaciers that began their final counts for its high alkali and salt retreat approximately 20,000 years Continued on page 124

Another New Bird for Yosemite Valley Ranger Naturalist Enid Michael Ducks are certainly rare birds in though wandering individuals were Yosemite Valley,and they are beseen from time to time, we were coming more scarce each succeedinclined to believe that the entire ing year. Five or six years ago population of the neighborhood mallard ducks were occasionally would not include more than 12 seen; in fact, two or three pairs of bears. After waiting several hours, these birds nested each summer in we managed to accomplish our aim the valley from 1920 until 1926. which was to get motion pictures During 1927 a pair of mallards was of bear swimming the river. occasionally seen, but there was no Midafternoon we started for nesting record. Since 1927 mallard home, following close to the fringe ducks have been seldom seen. of the river. We had not gone far Every year since 1920 a small flock of ring-necked ducks have wintered in the valley--some years three birds some years so many as nine. The ringnecks arrive in De cember and usually leave during February, although twice during these years they stayed over until early March. A lone male bufflehead duck was seen on April 3, 1922, and on March 5. 1928, a male and three females were seen on the River Pool During the months of March April and May a pair of harlequin ducks was seen daily on the rive near the Sentinel bridge There is no other record of these ducks un til May, 1927, when a lone male was seen on Tenaya creek. On August 28, 1928, a male cinnamon teal was seen on the river just below the old village. On December 6, 1928, we have the first record of a ruddy duck in Yosemite valley. The next record of the ruddy duck was April 22, 1929. And now, after 10 years in the Yosemite, we have a new record for the valley. On October 6, 1930, with a companion, I wandered down the valley to spend part of the day visiting with the bears at the feeding station. We spent several hours here, and during the stay there was a time when nine bears were in sight at once, Al-

though when down the river, flying toward

us, came some sort of duck. Directly in front of us, and perhaps 100 feet away, the bird settled on the water, and as she settled she twice sounded a "quack, quack Strange as it may seem, the female of the species is more garrulous than the male, and it was by the "quack, quack" that we knew the bird to be a female, rather than a young male. The duck was frightened, she held her head high and raised the feathers of her crown. I said to my companion, "That is a female duck of one of the smaller species, but we will never know what species." He responded : "You know ducks.

Sneak up on her. She hasn't seen stood up. Over the tops of the us. Something up the river fright grasses we could see the bird on ened her." the water. She still held her head high, She did not see us, however, Complimented by his first reas she was watching the opposite mark, but not confident, I led the shore. Soon a fisherman appeared way. Crunching gravel underfoot at the edge of the wood and our seemed to fairly shout a warning duck took to wing. As the duck to the duck, but fortunately tall rose from the water there was a grass growing along the water's flash of brilliant green scapulars. edge screened our creeping figures and then we knew the bird to be a from view. When as close to the green-winged teal, and a new recwater as we dared go, we slowly ord for Yosemite valley.

AN ANIMATED AIR DRILL

C. C. PRESNALL Assistant Park Naturalist The old saying, "There's nothing horntail (Urocerus californicus), an new under the sun," is often proved insect which is related to the ichtrue by everyday occurrences in naneumon flies and the wasps. It is found all over the Pacific Coast inture. Compressed air drills are infesting pine and fir trees. The female garded as a modern aid in road and male uses this long drill, or ovipositrail construction in Yosemite, but tor, to deposit eggs deep in the liv this fall the men in one constructing tissues of the trees. The eggs tion crew found an insect that had hatch into white grubs which grow an "air drill" of its own which to be about one and one-half inches used in drilling holes in solid pine long which sometimes do considerable wood. able damage by boring tunnels Jack Wegner, who brought the through the sapwood. insect from the Mariposa Grove to Prof. J. H. Comstock says the the museum on October 10, deovipositor consists of "five long scribed the insect driller as follows. slender pieces; the two outer pieces "His drill is inside this long tube are grouped on the inner surface, that looks like a stinger. When he and when joined make a sheath was drilling a hole he worked the containing the other three pieces, drill up and down just like an air two of which are furnished at the drill, and made good headway until tip with fine transverse ridges like the hole was almost completed the teeth of a file." Then his drill got stuck and he The horntail which was brought couldn't pull it out of the hole, so to the museum is one and onewe pulled him loose and killed him fourth inches long, and the sheath and here he is. Now what kind of of its ovipositor is half an inch creature is he?" long, so that the insect probably The creature, on examination, could have drilled holes threeproved to be a female California eighths of an inch deep. We ask our Members to notify us of any change of address, that the mailing list may be correct. Many new members have joined the Association since the first of the year.

GIFTS TO THE MUSEUM

By C. A. HARWELL, Park Naturalist The Stockton Record contributed one reel of new moving pictures on to the museum a bound copy of standard width film taken in Yo- "The Out o' Doors Section" of the semite early this year. Stockton Record for the year 1929 The Yosemite Natural History The Yosemite Natural History Association presented two volumes Association, through the interest of of "Forests and Mankind" by Pack Field Naturalist Carl Russell, pre and Gill to the museum library seated three copies of Hutching Tom Vint, chief landscape archi "California Magazine" for February tect, presented nine early photo and March, 1857, and February, graphs which have been on file in the San Francisco office for a num ides. M C. Coles of 3511 Largy ber of years. Best at them are early photographs by [text unclear] the Yosemite Library a copy of H. Hunnell's "Discovery of the Yo A 44 Colt revolver, found by a Poggio hidden under a rock on the semite." Big Oak Flat road, was presented Charles Piper Smith of the Senior to the museum. The revolver is High School at San Jose, Calif. of early make. presented the museum many pressed The following two books were specimens of our Yosemite lupin presented to the library by the Yogathered by Mr. Smith here last semite Natural History Association: summer, which will be placed in A copy of Bryant's "Outdoor Herour Yosemite herbarium. itage" and Clements' "Flowers of Professor Mason of the UniverCoast and Sierra." sity of California, through the interests of Ansel Hall, chief naturalist, One of the most worthwhile accessions during the year is a set ist, presented the museum an old of the New Encyclopedia Britannica, wrought iron spoon which Mr. Ma bound in half Morocco, which son found in the Old Tioga mine a was presented to our museum few years ago. library by James H. Schwabacher M. Hall McAllister of the Acadof San Francisco and the Yosemite emy of Sciences, San Francisco, Natural History Association. Mr. presented the museum with specimens of mule shoes specially calked war bonnets, a rabbit skin blanket for iced trails. from Mono lake and a Flicker The Southern Pacific Company, feather headband to enrich our Inthrough the courtesy of Loyal dian room exhibits. Himes, chief photographer, and Mr. Mrs. W. F. Low of Oakland pre [text unclear], photographer, presented sented our library with a copy of 17 by 10-inch photographs and Arthur's Magazine of 1863

Virgilio Bruschi, who visited YoYosemite and Sierra characters and Semite in the early '70s, presented scenes which formerly belonged to our library with a copy of the reher father, J. M. Hutchings, who for so many years was known as cent. "History of San Diego" by the father of Yosemite." Hopkins, and a half dollar of 1876 Miss Babe Katt of San Francisco which he carried as a pocket piece collected and presented a beautiful on a trip from Coulterville to Bodie set of mountain sheep horns. These in 1876, and which he has carried horns were found at the 12,100-foot continuously in his pocket from that level on Mt Maclure. date until its presentation to our The Yosemite Natural History museum. Association presented a copy of Mrs. Maria Octavia Walkington Hutching's "California Magazine of London, England, presented the for August, 1858, and a "History of museum with several hundred phoCalifornia,' Arlington edition, writ tographs and stereographs of early ten by John Frost.

TWO NEW PUBLICATIONS

Two books of unusual interest are now available at the Yosemite Museum and they would be a valuable addition to the library of any naturelover. Address your orders to C. A. Harwell, Park Naturalist, Yosemite, California. Geologic History of the Yosemite Valley - Geological Survey Professional Paper 160, by Francois E. Matthes Price $ 1.10. This remarkable volume is the culmination of years of intensive fieldwork and study, on the part of Dr. Matthes and his associates. It is profusely illustrated with photographs, sketches, maps. The edition is limited in number and is in great demand by those interested in the Sierra Region, so send in your order at once. Outdoor Heritage - by Harold C. Bryant, Assistant Director, National Park Service. Price $ 5.00. Wild life of the mountains, valleys, shores and deserts of California. Intimate glimpses of the birds and beasts the traveler in California is likely to meet. Glimpses of the scenic wonders of California together with

the habits of the wild. Big trees; lakes; game; fishes; climate.

THE BIRDS AND THE STORM

By ENID MICHAEL Ranger-Naturalist During the first 12 days of November the weather at Yosemite was delightful. Bright sunny days

THEN THE STORM

and nights that were not particularly cold. Much autumn color still remained. The oaks and cottonwood were still in fair leaf and the willows along the river, and especially where they herded on the sand spits and gravel-bars, were in the height of their fall glory. During this 12-day period, however, a change in the personnel of the bird population of the valley became evident. Bird life was at a low ebb. The summer birds were gone, and except for the blue-fronted jays and the California woodpeckers, resident birds were scarce. Prominent among the newcomers were western bluebirds. These birds are winter visitants in the Yosemite and they come in to feast on the berries of the mistletoe. As the days went by the bluebirds increased in numbers and with them came Audubon warblers. During the first week in the month Audubon warblers were probably more numerous in the valley than all other species of birds combined. As in other years the audubons were merely transient. And strangely enough, Audubon warblers are the only species of bird that pass through the valley in a great migratory wave, albeit this wave is much the same moment, and then, apparently falling, in a reckless plunge came the body of a great heron down through the screen of the days went by the bluebirds inconifer branches. Swooping above creased in numbers and with them the tree-tops was a golden eagle. came audubon warblers. During Whether he had struck and lost the first week in the month auduhis kill, or whether the heron had bons were probably more numerous plunged just in time to save his in the valley than all other species skin, I could not be sure. But of birds combined. As in other judging by the manner in which years the audubons were merely the heron went down through those transient. And strangely enough, branches he had been struck. In audubon warblers are the only any event the heron, did manage species of bird that pass through to escape, for the eagle gave up the valley in a great migratory pursuit, swerved and came to perch wave, albeit this wave is much on the spike of a tall pine. The

eagle paused for a few moments tle rain had fallen above the rim of on the tree-top and then flew off the valley, else Yosemite Fall would toward the cliff. As the eagle have made a much more vigorous spread its wings to take flight it revival. On this day 21 species of was noticed that he had the white birds were noted, among them wing markings of a youngster. mountain quail, bushtit, mountain high in the sky could be seen a bluebird and hermit thrush—all new second eagle, probably the parent birds for the November report. bird.

WINDS ROUT THE BIRDS THE SNOW KING

From the 18th until the 26th the After one day of clear weather, weather was clear. November 15 the storm once more moved in, and there was a brisk shower and then

on the morning of the 15th a mixture of rain and snow started fallclear weather until the end of the month. There were very few freezing. Soon the snow disappeared ing nights during the month; the from the mixture and a steady rain few freezes were followed by warm set in. For the next 44 hours rain weather, and in consequence there fell continuously, and then came was not the usual November skatsnow. All day long on the 17th ing in the valley. The usual feesnow fell, but fell on warm, wet ture of the weather was the great ground, and made but a scanty winds that swept through the valley showing. during the days and nights of NoOn the 16th our daily walk was vember 21 and 22. Many trees were taken in the rain. We walked up uprooted and many branches were the valley a mile or so and followed thrown to the ground. Our birds back along the riverbank for a did not like this sort of weather at couple of miles. No ducks or water all, and during the great blow, they fowl were seen, but we did see the were most conspicuous by their abkingfisher and a great blue heron sence. The California woodpecker Sixteen different species of birds kept to their holes and scolded. The were noted during the two-hour jays and bluebirds hid away in the walk. The outstanding bird of the thick foliage of the cedars. walk, in point of rarity, was the After the wind storm was over, goshawk. The goshawk is rare the pines all looked fresh and clear. enough in the valley, and big They had flung their brown needles enough to cause a thrill whenever to the ground. On the forest floor seen, and today we saw a pair of the brown rug of needles was them. flecked with bits of green torn from Monday our daily walk was taken the cedars; a most delightful color during a lull in the storm, when scheme. only a light snow was falling. We During the month, 55 species of followed the trail along the base of birds were noted, which number is the north cliffs. Twice during the nine above the average of the last walk we caught glimpses of Sentinel Rock as the clouds lifted, but at of species for November. All species no time did other prominent points of birds that are to be expected in come into view above the clouds. Yosemite valley during November Yosemite Fall showed a slight revival in volume. Evidently very little were noted, and besides these there were six unexpected species.

BIRD REPORT FOR NOVEMBER

Horned Owl—A pair of these birds gave a serenade on the night of November 3. Pigmy Owl—Noted frequently the first 10 days of the month, rare thereafter. Belted Kingfisher—No change in the status. Always to be found along certain stretches of the river. Hairy Woodpecker—Noted daily, but three was the greatest number noted in any one day. Willow Woodpecker—Rare this month. Lone birds noted on three different occasions. Many times we went to the usual haunt of the woodpecker and failed to find a single bird. Nuttall Woodpecker—A handsome male bird was seen November 25. White-Headed Woodpecker—Probably present daily, one or two birds, but many days there were when we failed to find one. Williamson Sapsucker—A lone female was seen on the last day of the month. Pileated Woodpecker—The lone male noted more often than usual this month. California Woodpecker—Numerous in the Kellogg oak groves on the north side of the valley. Not likely to be seen elsewhere. Red-Shafted Flicker--Present daily, but never more than three or four birds seen on a morning walk. Black Phoebe—A lone bird noted on two different occasions. This is the first time the Phoebe was seen during November since 1924. Blue-Fronted Jay—Likely to be seen in any section of the valley. The most common bird this month. Meadowlark—A lone bird seen November 15. Brewer Blackbird—A lone bird noted November 25. Never noted so late in the season before. Evening Grosbeak--Three birds seen November 11, A late record. California Purple Finch--Not common. Stray birds occasionally seen. Green-Backed Gold Finch—Probably present throughout the month, as a little flock was always to be found in the primrose patch in the Ahwahnee grounds. Pine Siskin A little flock of seven birds noted November 24. White-Crowned Sparrow No flocks. Twice a group of three was seen. A lone individual was present in a certain ceanothus for about 10 days. Golden-Crowned Sparrow—Lone individuals occasionally noted. Slate-Colored Junco—Individuals are likely to be seen associating with the Sierra Juncos. Sierra Junco—Two, or perhaps, three small flocks present throughout the month. On November 14, the day after the storm, a flock containing at least 1000 birds was present in the Ahwahnee grounds. And on this day large flocks were present in other sections of the valley. Red-Tailed Hawk—In the early morning of November 20 and 21 one of these hawks was found roosting in a bare cottonwood. Sparrow Hawk—Rare this month. A single bird noted occasionally. Fox Sparrow—A lone bird was seen on two different dates. Sacramento Towhee—The only towhees noted this month was a pair that was occasionally found in a ceanothus thicket near the zoo. Hutton Vireo—Individuals occasionally seen about the mouth of Indian canyon. Audubon Warbler—A great wave of these birds swept through the valley early in the month. At the end of the month an individual was frequently seen with a flock of western bluebirds. American Pipit—A lone bird was seen in the Leidig meadow on the afternoon of November 23. Water Ouzel—Not in the usual haunts along the main river. Occasionally noted at the mouth of Yosemite creek. Canyon Wren—No doubt present daily in favored rock slides, but not so numerous as in other years. Winter Wren—Just once noted during the month. Failed to find birds where they were to be expected. Sierra Creeper—No change in status. Found in all sections of the valley. Red-Breasted Nuthatch—Probably three or four pairs present throughout the month. Mountain Chickadee — Never numerous during the month and there were days when we failed to find a single bird. California Bushtit—A flock twice noted on the warm flat at the mouth of Indian canyon. The flock noted on November 24 contained 19 birds. Ruby-Crowned Kinglet — Individuals or occasional pairs likely to be seen in any section of the valley. Golden-Crowned Kinglet -- Common. Flocks of 10 or 15 likely to be seen anywhere in the valley. Townsend Solitaire--Lone birds noted a number of times during the month. We noted no bird that appeared to be settled for the winter. Hermit Thrush A lone individual noted occasionally.

FROM MT. DANA

died. The economic depression of 1881 caused the bottom to drop out Continued from page 116 of the stock market. Large scale ago. Who knows but what these mining operations about Bodie were craters, now cold, located as they suspended. After a few futile gasps are near the stupendous fault sysof breath in an effort to keep going tern that delimits the eastern front that lasted almost 20 years longer, of the Sierra Nevada, might not Bodie died completely. For nearly again blaze forth rivaling in activ50 years, except for one man, Jim ity their ancient fury! Cain, Bodie has been deserted.

AS GREAT AS VESUVIUS

Bodie has recently taken on a This series of craters forms a new lease of life. Cheaper and more range about 10 miles in length efficient mining methods, dependEach of the larger cones rises able geologic studies and good fiabout 3000 feet above the surface nancing may contribute materially of Mono lake. There are about 20 in reviving the soul of the old ghost of them altogether, although four city. To see people today walking or five of them show up more the streets of the old city, which prominently. Their main mass appearscarries vivid reminders of its 50 pears to be composed of lapilli, years of desertion, makes one feel that is, fragmental material that that the Day of Resurrection has has been ejected from the depths come Perhaps this romantic old of the volcanoes and thrown into this old ghost city. To see people today walking the streets of the old city, which carries vivid reminders of its 50 years of desertion, makes one feel that the Day of Resurrection has come. Perhaps this romantic old desert community will again be the these conical heaps. Obsidian, and bustling city she was in her heyday pumice composed of frothy volcanic glass so light that it will float on water, also occur in considerable abundance. Enormous quantities of volcanic dust were blown out of the craters with tremendous force and spread over the surrounding mountains and valleys for many miles. It is the occurrence of this so-called volcanic tuff on glacially polished rock surfaces and moraines that reveals clearly that these volcanoes must have possessed considerable activity in post-glacial times. Each of the larger Mono craters rivaled Vesuvius in magnitude, yet from our position on the pinnacle of Mt. Dana their tops are almost 4000 feet below! BODIE REVIVES Northeast of Mono lake lies Bodie, long known as the Dead City of Mono. In the late '70s. canic glass so light that it will DANA GLACIER float on water, also occur in conAlmost directly below us at the siderable abundance. Enormous foot of a sheer thousand-foot quantities of volcanic dust were precipice forming the north front of blown out of the craters with treDana is a small glacier. It has mendous force and spread over the been named Dana Glacier by I. C surrounding mountains and valleys Russell of the United States Geofor many miles. It is the occurlogical Survey, who described this rence of this so-called volcanic region This glacier is a remnant tuff on glacially polished rock surfacesof the vast glacial system that de faces and moraines that reveals scended the steep stream valleys of clearly that these volcanoes must the eastern slope of the Sierra have possessed considerable activ Deep crevasses transect the ice ity in post-glacial times. Each of mass transverse to the direction of the larger Mono craters rivaled movement. Its surface is, marked Vesuvius in magnitude, yet from by concentric bands of fine rock our position on the pinnacle of Mt material. On its lower end are Dana their tops are almost 4000 boulders. Those will become a part feet below! of the terminal moraine at the foot

BODIE REVIVES

of the glacier as the ice mass. Northeast of Mono lake lies pushes forward and its front re Bodie, long known as the Dead City treats by melting. A beautiful of Mono. In the late '70s Bodie lakelet of opalescent water lies was a turbulent mining camp of below the end of the glacier. approximately 10,000 people. "Here,"

LYELL AND RITTER

says C. P. Russell, chronicler of To the southwest Mount Lyell, Bodie's wild history, "men mined, the highest peak in the Yosemite, milled, played, fought and hundreds and Mount Ritter rise like huge

bulks of bullion silver against the a number of isolated plateaus. They sky. Lyell is 13,090 feet above the are portions of the old land sursea and Ritter. which is outside the face that were not consumed by area of Yosemite, rises to 13,156 excavation of glaciers during the feet. On the trip to the summit of great ice age. Piecing together Dana some remarkable views are these plateaus by imagining the obtained of the large Mount Lyell intervening pre-glacial nature of Glacier. Looking upon the enorthe landscape as one would piece mous bulk of the glacier lying in together mentally the weatherthe amphitheater on Lyell's north beaten form of a crumbling statue, east slope one can imagine how, it is easy to infer the nature of with the return of glacial climate, the surface of the Sierra block bemighty tongues of ice might again fore the glacial age. These remadvance far down the stream nants, joined together mentally, courses like the outstretching arms form a broad, rolling land surface from some huge monster. with peaks like Dana, Gibbs, Lyell, To the southward from Dana Conness and McClure standing aprise the White Mountains, one of proximately 2000 feet higher. Lookthe grandest of the Great Basin ing to the Mono side of the crest mountain ranges which, like the one sees occasional remnants of the Sierra upon whose crest we now same old pre-glacial land surface stand, owe their origin to the up- (gently sloping divides between lift and tilting of a great block valleys) but in places several thouof the earth's crust. These mountains are snow-capped throughout most of the year and loom skyward with exceeding boldness rivaling the Sierra Nevada in grandeur. The sand feet lower. The tilting of the tains are snow-capped throughout Sierra block that has occurred inmost of the year and loom skyward intermittently during the past milwith exceeding boldness rivaling lions of years has caused this disthe Sierra Nevada in grandeur. The cordance of several thousand feet. bold white spires rising clearly Suppose we could reverse the above the huge haze-veiled base process and "untilt" the Sierra give them the appearance of being suspended in mid air. faces (plateaus and remnant surTHE CALIFORNIA DIVIDE faces) on both sides of the present The crest of the Sierra is near eastern range front are again at the dividing line between the arid the same level. Then we would Great Basin, where it seldom rains, have a vivid picture of the Sierra and the well-watered crest and Nevada region before the block western slope of the Sierra Nevada began to tilt. Of course the modrange. Snow lies on the northeast modifications due to glaciation would facing slopes and in the great glastill be events of the geological cial amphitheaters the year round. future. We would see a vast re Far to the west the green-clad glen with shallow valleys and gently ridges merge almost imperceptibly sloping divides between them. The into the drab foothills and the present high peaks would stand great interior plain of California only about 2000 feet above the general beyond. We were especially favored level of the rolling landscape with a delightfully clear day and the steep eastern front caused and were able to see clearly the by the breaks in the earth's crust blue outlines of the California would not exist. Coast Range, almost 250 miles THE STORY OF THE ROCKS away. In fact, from the summit of Dana Between the glacial cirques of the geological history of the region the great region of the Sierra are passes through one's mind like the

successive scenes of a moving picture. We see the region as it was millions of years ago. The rolling topography of shallow valleys, with gently sloping divides between them and culminating mountain peaks some 2000 feet higher, is raised. These disturbances become more pronounced, causing the earth's crust to break into enormous blocks. The mighty Sierra block. about 400 miles long and 80 wide, is tilted westward and the broad, meandering river valleys have narrower gorges cut into them by rivers whose velocity, slope and cutting power are increased. Lastly we see mighty glaciers push downvalley, transforming the narrower V-shaped valleys into U-shaped troughs with hanging side troughs such as we find in the Yosemite. In the headlands of the stream valleys the large amphitheaters called cirques are formed. These are so extensively developed that only isolated remnant-plateaus, narrow round-topped ridges, sharp divides, or mere stubs of the roundshouldered pre-glacial crests and divides remain from which to write the history. Thus Mount Dana becomes one of the most interesting and spectacular spots in the Sierra From its summit not only does one have an unparalleled view extending almost one-sixth of the east-west distance across the continent but also here we apparently find nature In a wonderfully striking manner trying to reveal with utmost clearness the chapters in her most fascinating history. REFERENCES--C. P. Russell, "Bodie, Dead City of Mono, " Yosemite Nature Notes, Vol. VI, No. 12, 1927; pp. 89-96. I. C Russell, 'Quaternary History. of Mono Valley, California," U. S. Geol. Survey Annual Report No. 8, Part I, 18861887; pp. 263-394. (Esp. p. 276).

BIRD REPORT FOR NOVEMBER

Hooded Merganser—A lone bird that appeared to be a young male was seen on the river below the swinging bridge. Mallard Duck—Only noted once during the month, when a female and two males were seen on the river below the swinging bridge. Ruddy Duck—A lone bird was seen on Mirror lake November 24. Great Blue Heron—Frequently seen. More numerous than ever. Probably three or four birds along six miles of river. Mountain Quail--A flock of seven was seen at the base of the north wall, near the Lodge grounds. Band-Tailed Pigeon—On November 10 a flock of 100 birds was seen flying down the valley. A little flock of five birds was seen the next day, the last probably for this year. Sharp-Shinned Hawk—A lone bird was noted on three different occasions. Cooper Hawk—Twice during the month a single bird was seen. Goshawk—Four times during the month we had a look at this grand hawk, and on one occasion there was a pair. November 17. Western Robin—A few individuals present except during the stormy weather. On November 27 we were surprised to see a flock of 18 birds and this flock was about equally divided, male and female. Varied Thrush—The varied thrushes must have taken a different route this year. as only two birds were seen this month. Western Bluebird—Common. Flocks of from 5 to 20 likely to be seen most any time. Mountain Bluebird—Rare. On November 16 a single bird was seen, and on November 23 a pair. Our Next Issue will contain information regarding the

YOSEMITE SCHOOL

FIELD NATURAL HISTORY

1931

Digitized by Yosemite Online Library Dan Anderson