Mariposa Battalion Campsite (V13)
The Battalion entered Yosemite Valley for the first time in March of 1851 and camped in this meadow.
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Mariposa Battalion Campsite (V13) Details
The Battalion entered the Valley on March 27, 1851. That evening, Dr. Lafayette Bunnell, the surgeon for the Battalion, suggested the valley be called "Yo-sem-i-ty" - a Miwok word which he believed to mean "grizzly bear." This was a mistake in interpretation, however, made by Major James Savage, the commander of the Battalion. The Miwok word "Yo-semi-ty" literally means "those who kill," which described the Native Americans who lived in Yosemite Valley because they were composed of renegades from multiple tribes. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt camped here with John Muir and discussed the need for conservation to help protect the country's natural resources. A plaque along the river and a sign at the edge of the meadow commemorate both events. Roadside marker: V13
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Yosemite Valley
Nearby Parks Around Mariposa Battalion Campsite (V13)
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Mariposa Battalion Campsite (V13)
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0.2 mi away
Valley View (V11)
A good spot to view the Valley from alongside the Merced River.
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Bridalveil Fall View (V10)
From this vantage point, you can see Bridalveil Falls across the Merced River.
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Fern Spring (V12)
Be sure to take a moment to enjoy what is perhaps the most beautiful spring in the Park.
