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john hansen
climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 19, 2014 - 07:28pm PT
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In this story John Muir talks about an earthquake in the valley that led to the collapse of "Eagle Rock". Has any one seen a photo or a painting of this formation. The year was 1872 so I would think there would be a photo.
Also where was it located? Just east of Sentinel?
John Muir
In Yosemite Valley, one morning about two o'clock I was aroused by an earthquake; and though I had never before enjoyed a storm of this sort, the strange, wild thrilling motion and rumbling could not be mistaken, and I ran out of my cabin, near the Sentinel Rock, both glad and frightened, shouting, "A noble earthquake!" feeling sure I was going to learn something. The shocks were so violent and varied, and succeeded one another so closely, one had to balance in walking as if on the deck of a ship among the waves, and it seemed impossible the high cliffs should escape being shattered. In particular, I feared that the sheer-fronted Sentinel Rock, which rises to a height of three thousand feet, would be shaken down, and I took shelter back of a big Pine, hoping I might be protected from outbounding boulders, should any come so far. I was now convinced that an earthquake had been the maker of the taluses and positive proof soon came. It was a calm moonlight night, and no sound was heard for the first minute or two save a low muffled underground rumbling and a slight rustling of the agitated trees, as if, in wrestling with the mountains, Nature were holding her breath. Then, suddenly, out of the strange silence and strange motion there came a tremendous roar. The Eagle Rock, a short distance up the valley, had given way, and I saw it falling in thousands of the great boulders I had been studying so long, pouring to the valley floor in a free curve luminous from friction, making a terribly sublime and beautiful spectacle--an arc of fire fifteen hundred feet span, as true in form and as steady as a rainbow, in the midst of the stupendous roaring rock-storm. The sound was inconceivably deep and broad and earnest, as if the whole earth, like a living creature, had at last found a voice and were calling to her sister planets. It seemed to me that if all the thunder I ever heard were condensed into one roar it would not equal this rock roar at the birth of a mountain talus. Think, then, of the roar that arose to heaven when all the thousands of ancient canon taluses throughout the length and breadth of the range were simultaneously given birth.
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clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
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Jun 19, 2014 - 07:51pm PT
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Is there a before picture?
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john hansen
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 19, 2014 - 07:52pm PT
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Thanks for the link.
It would be cool to find a pre 1872 photo of that area, kind of above the chapel to Le' conts, and compare it with a modern one.
I have been searching , but have not found one yet. Gonna keep looking.
Edit: clinker, that is the question.
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john hansen
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 19, 2014 - 08:46pm PT
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Some where in here.. wonder where the hotel, and Eagle Rock , were in this Google Earth image.
They are getting pretty friggin good.
Wonder if any of you ace's could draw in where the chapel and Le cont's memorial are for reference on this image?
We need Greg Stock.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Jun 19, 2014 - 11:15pm PT
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Union Point seems logical.
Aggasiz column is still there.
The dirt and rock debris you see on the switchbacks below/west on 4 mile trail might be it.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Jun 20, 2014 - 06:53am PT
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Clint, or anyone who knows, is this Moran Point?
It is on the south rim, below the rim.
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gstock
climber
Yosemite Valley
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Jun 20, 2014 - 07:38am PT
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I don't know of any photos of Eagle Rock before it collapsed in 1872, but you guys are correct on the location behind the Chapel and between Union Point and Moran Point. The best source of information is the article by Gerry Wieczorek linked to above.
The photo below was taken by W.H. Jackson circa 1887 and is thought to show the cleared forest and fresh talus from the Eagle Rock rockfall (far right side of the photo).
This zoomed in photo shows this area outlined in the dashed red line.
Greg
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, john hansen... say, this is great, i missed it the
'first time' here...
will go read the links...
thanks for sharing...
this is the great stuff, and history-type shares, that
i always love so very much, here...
i know it is a bit late, but thanks for the post/s
edit:
wow, had to re'read that... i love how he wrote it all:
this part really got me:
Then, suddenly, out of the strange silence and strange motion there came a tremendous roar. The Eagle Rock, a short distance up the valley, had given way, and I saw it falling in thousands of the great boulders I had been studying so long, pouring to the valley floor in a free curve luminous from friction, making a terribly sublime and beautiful spectacle--an arc of fire fifteen hundred feet span, as true in form and as steady as a rainbow, in the midst of the stupendous roaring rock-storm.
like seeing:
YEP--a birth...
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, QITNL... thanks for sharing about:
this man, gerals wieczorek... and, also, as to his connection to yosemite!
from your quote, here:
Gerald Wieczorek, retired scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, passed away February 1 after a long illness. For more than two decades Gerry provided geologic research and interpretive products for the National Park Service, including much of what is presently known about rockfalls in Yosemite.
this work, of his, and others, is very interesting, as, i always wished i had known a lot more and/or took up or studied geologic research (oh my, but i became a simple mom and house wife--it was more 'instyle' back in my days) ... i will really ENJOY going to read up on him..
and, to all that posted, so far,
great pics, thank you so much for sharing...
ooop, edit:
forgot...
as to this:
In addition to his important scientific contributions, Gerry will be remembered for his enthusiasm, his sense of humor, and his love for Yosemite.
in honor of that:
i will say this:
it is very nice to know that his life was NOT overly rocky, as humor
keep life's troubles, from piling-up and looming darkly, over us...
:)
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Psilocyborg
climber
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I could have sworn I remember seeing a photo of eagle rock posted either here or high Sierra Topix. I could be wrong though
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Great thread. I'm going to have to explore this area.
I share John Muir's enthusiasm for earthquakes.
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paul roehl
Boulder climber
california
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This is a really interesting thread. Funny, but I remember being told years ago (1960 something) that Eagle Peak was actually on the other side of the valley between Yosemite Falls and The Three Brothers just west of Rixon's (sp) pinnacle. I wonder where that came from?
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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1878 photo showing the debris mentioned clearly.
Interesting how open and un-forested most of the valley is.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Eagle Rock is different from Eagle Peak
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c wilmot
climber
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the 4 mile trail is pretty cool. You can still follow most of the old sections of trail (its been re routed a few times). The old pump house is pretty cool to check out too.
I dont think I would try to explore the slide area though- its still really unstable
On a side historical note- it used to be paved all the way. They used to employ broom crews to sweep the trail.
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gstock
climber
Yosemite Valley
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Eagle Rock is different from Eagle Peak
Yes, and to make matters even more confusing there is an "Eagle Tower" in the same vicinity, which is a point at the top of the Forbidden Wall, accessible from the Eagle Peak trail. Nice view from there...
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