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Yosemite: Its Wonders and Its Beauties (1868) by John S. Hittell

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ELEVATIONS OF CLIFFS AND FALLS.

The following are the elevations of the principal peaks, points and falls:

Above the valley. (Whitney.)		Above the sea.
Yosemite Valley		4,000
Capitan	3,300	7,300
Bridal Veil Fall	1,000	5,000
Cathedral Rock	3,000	7,000
Three Brothers	4,000	8,000
Top of Upper Yosemite Fall	2,550	6,550
Base of Upper Yosemite Fall	1,050	5,050
Top of Lower Yosemite Fall	434	4,434
Cliff east of Yosemite Fall	3,030	7,030
Sentinel Rock	3,000	7,000
Sentinel Dome	4,l50	8,150
North Dome	3,568	7,568
Half Dome	4,737	8,737
Vernal Fall*	475	. . . . .
Nevada Fall*	639	. . . . .
Cap of Liberty	4,000	8,000
Toloolewack Fall*	300	. . . . .
South Dome*	5,600	9,600

The elevations marked with asterisks mark hight of fall without reference to elevation above the valley. All the elevations above the valley, save the last two, are quoted from Whitney; and the elevations above the sea are computed by adding the altitude of the valley, 4,000 feet, in round numbers, though 4,060 is the figure given in the State Geological Survey Report. It is in many places difficult to ascertain the precise hights of cliffs and falls, on account of the variations consequent upon taking measurements from different points. The valley may be lower on one side of a cliff than on the other; the summit may be fixed at the edge of the precipice by one observer, and on a higher point back by another; and the bottom of a waterfall may be hidden by dense spray, so that its position is fixed by conjecture, and not by clear sight.

The general elevation of the country about the valley is 6,500 feet above the sea.

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