Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-02-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
tFrom the Wesleyan Journal.]
EXCURSION TO MOUNT KTAADN.
BY ". C. LARHABE z.
CHAPTER V.

Succession Of Lakes-Sanset uiew-Jour-
nryfron, the river to the Mountain-Large
archaeological Slide,
On entering the Milinocket Lake we had
n splendid view of Ktaadn, probably thirty
miles distant. Its summit was covered
with clouds, and its sides deeply furrowed
by the avalanche. We passed up the Lake
about ten miles, to the northern extremity.
it is fine specimen of lake scenery, its
whole area being studded with islands,
which appear as il formed of prodigious
masses of loose rocks, making a jam, over
which the soil has formed by dsintegration
of the rock, sufficient to support trees not
varying in size from those on the main
land. The shores of the islands and of
the main land are walled up by rocks, as
regular as any farmer could lay a wall
The view ofthe forest and mountain scene
ry is very fine, Nothing but cultivated
farms and human dwellings, are wanting to
make it delightful landscape. But life
appears wanting 10 the scene. No sing
ing birds are here; no familiar sound. but
the signing Of the wind through the pine
tops, is heard
After passing an uncomfortable night at
3" 'c'l announcement ~ tHC bCou WI
the Lake, we commenced the carrying"
process. BY this learned what is meant
by "portages," as marked on the map of
the wilderness 1t is about so rods across
a ridge, from the Miinoeket to the Pc
madumcook Lake. Over this the boats
and all the luggage must be carried by the
men. Two men take TIE batteau, and one
the canoe, and carry it over; they then re-
turn and take the baggage in such quanti-
ties as their strength can sustain, and carry
that over, until it is all carried This we
pack into the boats, and move on again.
The same process has to be gone Though,
wherever there occur rapids or falls too diff
cult to navigate over This carrying" is
n very laborioGs business.
Our route now lay through succession
nf lakes, through which the penobsco OF
passes for many miles. On leaving one,
pushing up over rapids, or carrying around
falls, we came to another, opening broad
and before US. We were two days IN
passing these lakes, bearing long Indian
names. At last, OF Thursday, Sept. 2ist,
we arrived at an Island near the head oil
Panquockamosk Lake, where we intended
to leave the boats, and start on foot for the
mountain which lies nine or ten miles from
the river. From this place Ktaadn is in
full view. 1t is immensely large; its top
appears a broken mass of dark colored
granite, and its sides marked by numerous
slides.
The sunset view was one OF the most
splendid ever Witnessed. The mountain
seems composed of ridges and of rayiEes,
of unknown depth, in alternate succession
running from the long ridge forming its top,
to the base. The brilliant light ofthe sun
set, reflected from the ridges, and the deep
shadows of night falling on the ravines,
presented scene altogether new, and of
very singular effect. Nothing could ex-
eeed the dark subIimity of the prodigious ra-
vines, thus seen with the shadows of sunset
thrown over them.
Encamping for the night on this spot,
arose in the morning and made early prep
.aratlons for our departure for the base of
mountain. Concealing such baggage and
provisions as we did not wish to take with
us, drawing up the boats among the shrub
berry on the eastern bank of the river, and
distributing among the party such articles
as were indispensable for the journey, we
started at 9 o'clock, Sept. 22d. Our
route lay IN an easerly direction. or the
numerous slides from the mountain, the
western one, of prodigious width, was Sc
iected as the most eligible point at which
to begin the ascension. Taking the bear
ing of the slide, from the starting point on
the river, we plunged into the woods in In.
dian file. For about two miles the route
laws over gentle hills and vallies, which had
been burnt over some few years ago, and
are now covered with young growth of
birches and large ferns. We then descen-
ded to the Oboljackmejick stream. Pass
ing this stream, assembled steep hill, late
" burnt over, and covered with bluebefry
bushes, loaded with the largest berries l
ever saw. Travelling on about three or
four miles, we descended to The Oboljack-
mejick again. which. in its meanderings,
we crossed and rectossed several times, be-
fore arriving at the mountain.
Along this stream are scattered numer-
Gus huge boulders Of granite. evidently
brought by water from the submits of Mt.
Ktaadn. measured one 10 feet in cir
conference. and Is feet high, In being