Place: CA-Cook's Meadow

Cook's Meadow (Half Dome)   (37.7461204,-119.5949676)

Description:

From Eldon Grupp

We see here a scene from our photo files depicting the Yosemite Valley in the 19th century, when the early settlers created “rural” environments to replace bits of the wilderness. What we’re looking at is a group of rustic barns owned by James Mason Hutchings in Cook’s Meadow. Just to the left of the barns we can see Hutchings’ home in the far distance. And if we could peer through the stand of trees at the right we might catch a distant view of the Hutchings Mill, built and operated by John Muir. Before we mentally chastise the early settlers, who provided inn-keeping services for the public, for such “improvements” we must keep in mind that they were largely dependent upon themselves in providing food for their families and their guests, and lumber for construction. This was especially true in the days prior to the opening of the first wagon roads into the Yosemite Valley in 1874. Barns and cows in lush meadows were hallmark scenes reflecting the realities of 19th century life in the Yosemite Valley.   From Eldon Grupp on Facebook in the Yosemite History group
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At one time, Tule elk was introduced to Cook's meadow-a non-native species. Started with 12 animals and increased by 25% each year for awhile. From Speaking of Bears  by Rachel Mazur


Trips:

•  October 29, 2014 - Meetup hike around the west end of the Valley
• April 11, 2015 - Meetup day hike around the East end of the Valley
•  November 11, 2015 - Meetup day hike around the East end of the Valley
• April 30, 2016 - Meetup hike around the west end of Yosemite Valley
• October 15, 2016 - Meetup hike around the east end of Yosemite Valley 
• March 12, 2017 - Meetup hike around the east end of Yosemite Valley  
•  March 10, 2018 - Day hike around the east end of Yosemite Valley with Meetup group
•  April 19, 2024 - Day trip to the Valley, visiting Yosemite Falls: Steven, Sherri and Gary
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References:

• Yosemite Hikes
• NPS Cook's Meadow Loop
• Examiner review of Sentienel Meadow and Cook Meadow Loop
• NPS-Birding in Cook's Meadow
• Micheal Fry's site on 25 years of Yosemite-some nice photo's
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Pictures:

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