A Journal of Ramblings Through the High Sierras of California by the "University Excursion Party

by Joseph LeConte

A fascinating account of a horseback trip to Yosemite,significant for LeConte's general observations.

Genres: Climbing

119 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1875

About the author

Joseph Le Conte (alternative spelling: Joseph LeConte) was a physician, geologist, professor at the University of California, Berkeley and early California conservationist.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_...

Father of Joseph Nisbet LeConte

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone who loves Yosemite Valley, this account of an excursion of 10 men from the University of California in Oakland on horseback in 1870 is just wonderful. They travel on horeback from Oakland to the Yosemite Valley, then on up to Tuolomne Meadows and over the pass to Mono Lake, then north to Lake Tahoe, and on down through Placerville, Sacramento, San Francisco and back to Oakland. Being very familiar with all those places in the 2000's, it was great fun to experience them in the 1870s. It was a quick and easy read. There are several published versions, but I found a good quality used paperback of the 1970 edition at Amazon for 75 cents.

[Scott Oller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at what old expeditions to the Sierra were like. Makes me want to read John Muir's adventures.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

"The Sierra Nevada was the scene of the first meeting, in August, 1870, of two men whose names and memories will forever linger in these mountains -- John Muir and Joseph LeConte. It was LeConte's first summer in the Sierra, and Muir conducted him and his party over the route which he himself had traced out for the first time only a year before."
~~Ralph S. Kuykendall

I was so disappointed in this book! I thought it would be a vivid description of Yosemite, and John Muir -- be filled with conversations between the two men, talk about the development that had taken place in Yosemite, etc.

But no. It was a journal, and recorded how far they traveled each day, what they ate, how the chores were on a rota, etc. There was some description of the various falls in Yosemite, and of Mirror Lake (as it was). There certainly were paeans to sunsets & sunrises & the majestic scenery (not well described but very much appreciated.) But overall, it was a pretty dry & boring recording of the statistics of the trip: what trails they took, how steep they were, how many days it took to get from this place to that place. Absolutely no description or information on the Native Americans they encountered, which was particularly frustrating to me as an archaeologist and anthropologist.

And frustrating that so little was said about John Muir.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph Le Conte moved to California in 1869, to become a professor of Natural History at the then-new University of California in Oakland. In 1870, a group of students invited him to come along on a five-week trip on horseback to the High Sierra. Le Conte served as an informal faculty adviser and lecturer on the trip, which was spent "roughing it", camping out and cooking their own meals. Fresh mutton was a favorite -- the boys once ate a quarter-sheep in a couple of sittings.

Prof. Le Conte had a good time on this trip, and I enjoyed reading his account, which is well-written and has a surprisingly modern feel, even if it's a book of its time elsewhere. It's short and has very few dull spots. Recommended.

"Ramblings" was first published in 1875 and has been reprinted a number of times. The Comstock paperback edition I read is essentially the 1930 edition, with a new preface and bibliography. "Ramblings" is long out-of-copyright and available online: http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/lec.... But the paperback would be just right to pack for a trip to the Sierras -- if you find an inexpensive copy.

Wikipedia bio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_L...

[Auntie Jpeg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah yes, this book is like an old friend that I could not resist rereading. The ramblings of Prof. LeConte & his students to Yosemite!

Can't say I've re-read all that many books. It was interesting the details I forgot. Anyway, Prof. Le Conte's writing style is much easier to read compared to many of his era. He conveys his excitement and wonder at seeing Yosemite for the first time so his enthusiasm is contagious. You are right there with him feeling the power of the water going over Nevada Falls or swimming in Lake Tahoe.

This was a public library hardcover check-out, not a book purchase for me.

[Craig Amason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book delightful for several reasons. The fact that I have visited Yosemite and have stood in awe peering at many of the sites LeConte describes in this journal is a major factor in my satisfaction with the book. I can so appreciate his enthusiasm, which is expressed even better in the Audible Audio version. I also loved the passages where LeConte describes his encounters with John Muir, the famous naturalist who spent so much time exploring Yosemite and is often credited as the "Father of the National Parks." The detail of description, the personal observations, and the rich vocabulary all come together to make this travelogue and treasure a literary classic.

[Michael McCue · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1870 Professor Joseph LeConte of the newly formed University of California led a party of students through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The party traveled on horseback from Oakland, the Berkeley campus had not even been started at the time, and visited Yosemite, Mono Lake and Lake Tahoe. Much of their travel was on barely passable trails that are paved highways today. Meeting John Muir in Yosemite was one of the stories told in this book.