It’s not for certain whether Lafayettte Bunnell was the first non-indiginous person to visit Yosemite Valley or not, one thing is for certain though, Bunnell is responsible for naming much of the Valley with the names we still use today. He also went to great lengths to explore the Valley and record what he found there in words and drawings.
Above California.com has a great online library with the full texts and illustrations of many of the great books of California including Bunnell’s account of Yosemite as part of the Mariposa Battalion.
L.H. Bunnell: “During the winter of 1849-50, while ascending the old Bear Valley trail from Ridley’s ferry, on the Merced river, my attention was attracted to the stupendous rocky peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. In the distance an immense cliff loomed, apparently to the summit of the mountains. Although familiar with nature in her wildest moods, I looked upon this awe-inspiring column with wonder and admiration.”
Bunnell’s accounts are great to read comparing modern-day Yosemite Valley and surroundings with the Yosemite of the 1850’s. Very interesting reading.