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Circa Date
circa 1887
Transcription
94
Domed waved & angular [square] forms of rock in various stages of development are displayed on the front of Cathedral Peak
June 5th The snow mantle is nearly continuous in Cathedral Valley. Back of Cathedral Peak it is from 2 to 8 feet deep average about 3½ feet
Groves of [Williamson Spruce] Mert [Mertensiana] Hemlock are evidence proofs of deep slow-melting snow Other conifers are less flexible & cannot compete with this spruce therefore they are left in possession of such places. They reach their highest forms of beauty & size on deep moraines on N. [north] slopes at an elevation of about 900 feet Would probably reach yet finer development in warmer climates if protected from the stronger races of pines & firs.
Pinus contorta is a companion of the Will. [Williamson] Spruce on sheltered snowy slopes where toughness & flexibility are required to withstand the snow pressure, & accordingly we find that next to this spruce & the P. [Pinus] albicaulis of the summits the P. contorta is best able to endure the bending & burial of deep snow. Its branches are pulled to one side like those
95
of the spruce, but why is the top not made to droop also after so many lessons in its youthful days
[sketch: Branches of young P. [Pinus] contorta pressed & moulded upon a rock by snow pressure]
Seen from the summit of Mt [Mount] Dana Mono lake seems to be nearly circular though its E [east] & W. [west] diameter is considerably the greater.
On the N. E. [north east] side of Mt [Mount] Dana there still exists a small glacier. A small lake remarkable for the perfect greenness of its waters lies at the foot of the glacier, the color due to gl [glacial] mud.
The mountain on this side is precipitous from the after sculpture it has undergone.
Eight glaciers may be seen from this summit & a dozen lakelets.
The summit plants are Phlox diffusa polemonium. Hulsea. An Erigeron & yellow draba. The small ivesia muirii is abundant a little below the summit.
Date Occurred
1872-1874
Resource Identifier
MuirReel32 Notebook01 Img050.Jpeg
Contributing Institution
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library
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