"At Bower Cave, on the north fork of the Merced, at a point near where the Coulterville and Big Oak Flat trails to Yosemite come together, and said to be twelve miles from the former place, the limestone is well displayed, and is remarkable as containing a very picturesque and quite unique cave. It is an immense crack in the limestone, open to the air at the surface, and irregularly widened out in a cave-like manner below, by the action of currents of water.

On the upper side of the obliquely-descending crevice an overhanging ledge of rock permits the vertical depth of the cave to the level of the water, which partly fills it... At various heights deep cavities, or small caves, are worn in the rock, some of which may be followed for a considerable distance. The picturesque effect of the cave is greatly heightened by the growth within it of three large maple trees, of which the branches project out at the top.

The water at the bottom is exceedingly pellucid, and permits the ramifications of the crevice beneath its surface to be seen for a depth of at least forty feet. Access can be had to the bottom of the cave by a series of ladders, and a boat is permitted for the use of visitors, as also a platform, which permits a comfortable and cool stay in this curious place, which seems to be peculiarly adapted for a picnic in hot weather."