"The Legend of Half Dome and Basket Dome" Top 5 Page for this destination Yosemite National Park Local Custom Tip by VeronicaG

Early Yosemite Indians attempted to explain its geologic wonders by weaving beguiling legends about them. By word of mouth, they handed down these stories through the generations. Here is one of them:

A man and woman living in the dry plains heard of the lush and fertile Ahwahnee Valley. They decided to go there to make it their home. They trekked through steep canyons and thick forests; the woman carrying on her back a heavy basket containing acorns and other necessities, plus a papoose carrier. The man followed behind lugging his bow, arrow and staff.

The journey was rugged, but after many days the couple arrived in the Ahwahnee Valley. They were hungry and thirsty. Perhaps because of this, the man lost his temper without provocation and hit the woman across her shoulders with his staff. Frightened, she ran away from her husband.

As she ran the acorns flew from her basket--which later became mighty oaks. Reaching Mirror Lake, the woman's thirst was great, so drank every last drop. When the man caught up with his wife, he could not believe that she had drained the lake of every bit of water. In his anger, he struck her once again.

As she ran, he struck her again and again. She tossed away her basket in order to run faster--this became Basket Dome. Next she threw away the papoose carrier--this became the Royal Arches. The fighting displeased the Gods who decided to teach them a lesson.

(picture #2--Basket Dome)

They transformed the woman into Half Dome and the man into North Dome and although they would have to face each other for eternity, they would be forever parted.

**From YOSEMITE INDIANS; YESTERDAY AND TODAY (1941)--Indian Legends by Elizabeth H. Godfrey