Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-07-13
For the Standard.
Jay Peak.

which thrusts itself so ambitiously up
ward, and peers SO inquisitively into the
most impossible hooks and corners OF
Northern Vermont? The question may
seem invidious to your personal self, as
suggesting possible doubts of your good
sense, and relish for the sublime and
beautiful. But facts warrant question
if many of your readers have accep-
ted the invitation which the brave
and hearty old +nountain holds out to
them. A better pathway must have
been made, if their piIgrimages to its
shrine had been frequent. When they
have heard of the Alps, the White.
Mountains, the Adirondack and Mans
field, and thought it would be a fine thing,
as indeed it might, to join the throng re-
sorting to them, have they not sometimes
overlooked the fact that for the asking.
Tor climbing,) they might gain, at home,
a prospect rivaling the finest of them
all Let us not refuse a prophet his
due, in his own country.
Jay Peak stands 1920 feet above the
sea. Only Mansfield, Shrewsbury and
Cancels Hump, in Vermont, are higher.
The prospect it affords, equals that from
Mansfield, in its range; it embraces
quite as much variety, and can hardly be
judged of inferior beauty. Will you
join in imagination, an excursion, not
imaginary, to test it?
The morning of July Sd, finds us
ready, party of twenty. 1t would have
been wiser to have made the ascent last
evening, sleeping near the summit, to Sc
cure the clear morning view, and the
sunrise. But our wisdom came too late,
and We must trust the day. The NOR
ming is clear and fresh, and promises
WELL Leaving the pleasant village OF
South Troy, ride of five miles brings
us to the end of the road. Leaving our
horses as comfortably as possible, we are
prepared, soon after seven o'clock, for
the ascent. -Four long miles, mountain
miles, stretch before US. Our captain
leads the way, gun on his shoulder, in
true " military fashion, and sundry 9TH
ers are equipped with ominous knapsacks
The sturdy pioneer, who is clearing for
himself the last farm, directs us where
the path will be found. We follow his
directions, but discover no path. Then
there is scattering, counselling, shouting.
and searching for marked trees. AT last
our friend below is summoned. He finds
path, goes some distance, declares it is
plain the rest of the way, and turns
about. We learn afterwards that he has
not made the ascent for years. With
him the trail also soon disappears. Then
follow consultation, searching, and push
ing on, till it is found agatha process
several times repeated. We are plainly
the first Of the season to climb the noun
tain.
Withal, the ascent was pleasant, and
in no part difficult save for the last quar-
ter of mile, which is very PERCEPTIONS.
Cold water is abundant on the route.
The summit once gained, all thought
of WEAKNESS was soon lost in enjoyment
of the magnificent prospect. Descrip-
ton must always fail TO give just impress
sions of such a scene. Some items OF
the view may be catalogued; but the
fine adjustment, the blending of every
part, in the symmetry and life of the
complete picture, must be seen, to be felt.
The scene as a a0hole, is complete and un-
ique. Fragmentary parts, find their
highest worth and beauty only in the
setting,
To the south, the Queen Mountains
rear their graceful, though ragged forms.
Lowell, Belvidere and Sterling Noun
tains, stand between us and the browning
summit of Mansfield; beyond, CamePs
Hump shows its unmistakable outline
above the frozen pillows, $50 they seem,)
which roll, far as the eye can reach, in
admirable confusion. Chittenden and
Franklin counties, dotted with villages.
spread their fine plains between the
mountains and. the lake. Beyond the
blue waters of the Champlain, the lofty.
hazy SUBMITS of the Adirondack limit
the view. These are visible at a dis
lance OF not less than one hundred miles
. as the crow flies" (if she flies STRAIGHT
Montreal is not to be seen; but I have
no doubt only the haze obscures if, from
which we are not quite free. Canada
shows fine expanse of plains and noun
talns, with Owls Head and Memphre-
magog about at our feet. We could de.
tect no boundary line, and are quite
ready to declare she ought to obey her
/ m IN mi n1f