There were sections where his imagery was strongly appealing, e.g. At times I felt his gushing enthusiastic words were a bit over the top, and wondered that he could have so much boundless enthusiasm day after day-but my reaction is doubtless a result of our comparative ages. He relates a lot of what he sees to God's presence. I think some of the people who quote his 'When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe' phrase would be surprised to see it in the context of the rest of the paragraph (p87). With the skillful editing of his mature years, he retains the refreshing spontaneity and enthusiasm of his youthful experiences.' (Kimes bibliography)

'Muir was 72 years old when he began to prepare the journal of his first summer in the Sierra for publication. Octavo, original dark green cloth with gilt and light green stamped picture of forest scene with mountains in background. Gleason and 21 textual illustrations from sketches made by the author in 1869. 12 plates reproduced from photographs by Herbert W. Our flesh-and bone tabernacle seems transparent as glass to the beauty about us, as if truly an inseparable part of it, thrilling with the air and trees, streams and rocks, in the waves of the sun, - a part of all nature, neither old nor young, sick nor well, but immortal.” p.20Ī record of Muir’s activities, discoveries, and philosophic musings with unusual insight into the beauties of nature and life. Cap off the trip with a swim at Pinecrest Lake, and dream of doing it all again in reverse.“We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us. At Donnell Vista, walk the path that shows off the Yosemite-like gorge of Donnell Reservoir. West of the summit, Kennedy Meadows Resort has hamburgers and horseback rides. For dinner and a motel room, Bridgeport is your best bet.ĭay 2: From Bridgeport, State 108 runs west to climb steep switchbacks past thick stands of aspens and craggy volcanic outcroppings to the 9,624-foot Sonora Pass. 395 through the rugged Walker River canyon. Two right turns take you first over State 89’s Monitor Pass, then south on U.S. Heading east, 4 curlicues up and over Ebbetts Pass’s 8,732-foot summit.

Just beyond, Lake Alpine Resort serves up a hearty trout-and-eggs breakfast, and rents kayaks.

Instead, take a weekend for a road trip on States 4 and 108.ĭay 1: From Arnold, drive State 4 to Bear Valley. Which is why you shouldn’t drive just one. But locals argue about which other mountain pass boasts the best scenery. If speed’s your goal, set cruise control and take I-80 over Donner Summit. Only a few roads cut through the Sierra Nevada in California from west to east.

Summer in the sierra