Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-28
w. ID. wAELkCH.
For THE STAR.
EXCURSION FROM WASHINGTON.

No. 5.
Among the many places that attract atten-
ton in this section of the country, two deserve
particular notice. Preparing ourselves for a
day Of labor and toll as well as pleasure by
packing In our wagon various boxes, baskets
and packages of edibles, which the ladies al
ways know how TO prepare, we started in the
early morn for
BAsH-BIsH FALLS,
st the foot Of Mount Everett The ride of
be. The day was clear, and the sun was pour
ing his hot rays into the valley, but the road
passed at the foot Of the mountain range, and
we enjoyed the shade Of the forest.
The gorge in which the Falls is situated is at
the south Of Mount Everett, and about three
of the gorge is very steep, rendering it quito
impossible to construct road. The northern
side is less precipitOus, yet the road in many
places is SO narrow that carriages cannot pass.
Climbing up this gorge Rerhapsa half mile
we arrive at the Falls House, situated at the
foot of the Falls. This is a small building,
furnishing comfortable quarters for the visitor
at rather immoderate charges, as is customary
at all fashionable watering places.
part Of our company were already on the
ground, as well as several othor large parties.
Collecting OF forces unanimously voted to make
thorough examination Of the various boxes
and packages that had been so carefully slowed
away for the occasion, and afterwards on the
strength of the first examination, make Sec
ond of the Falls. No epicure could desire bet.
ter fare than We found spread on the rocks at
the foot of the Falls. Everything desirable
and in abundance convinced US at least that
somebody in that region knows we'll how to
provide for a picnic party. This part Of the
programme being discussed and fully disposed
OF, we commenced our ascent.
Crossing the small stream on a narrow foot
bridge, few feet above the water, we could
fully see the difficulties to be overcome in as
cending the mountain. It's almost perpendic-
ular side is covered with trees of considerable
size, with now and then bush; while the rocks
covered with moss and decayed matter give a
very unstable foothold. Great care, courage
and strength are requisites here, and for want
OF these, or some other reason, some of the Ia
dies at first declined to make the attempt but
L afterwards saw them on the top of the noun
tam, needless of the dangers which surrounded
them, and seemingly less fatigued than the
gentlemen, who had endeavored TO assist them
IN the ascent
This ascent is not far from four hundred feet,
and one must mainly depend on himself In
many places single misstep might prove fatal.
There is just enough Of danger and difficulty
TO arouse the soul and give activity to all the
life ina man, both physical and mental. No
dull, stupid fellow could by any effort succeed
IN getting to the top Of this mountain. When
the ascent is gained and the physical excite
ment allowed to calm a little, the mental be-
K
truly wonderful. A mighty chasm, fifty feet
wide and two hundred feet deep, opens before
you, which, with the solid projecting cliffs on
either side and the boulders of various dimen-
sions in the bed of the rushing waters, makes
an impressive scene. The mind is irresstibly
led back to the day when this small stream
hrst began Its excavating process, and follow
lng 1t along from age to age marks its progress
on the cliff. Truly, the waters wear the
stones. 1t hardly seems credible that a
mountain of solid rock could be cut asunder
by 50 small stream of water, but any one
carefully observing these cliffs must be con-
WINGED of the fact. Time emily is necessary for
very feeble perpetual force to work immense
results The result of this small stream here
presented, generalized, brings to mind the
degEGdtRg force of a continent. A force not
small or confined, but acting without cessation
day and night, year after year, and age after
age, on every inch Of the continent, depressing
1t to a level with the sea. Doubtless the rock
which Oyer-hlled this chasm now lies scattered
In continuous track along the bed of this
stream to the ocean, and even forms portion
of Its bed. where neither light nor heat nor
grayitation even can disturb its final rest be-
side the microscopic shell in the lichen caves
of death.
At this point you get the best view of the
Fails as whole, but to see all its beauties you
must descend in the chasm itself. A few feet
Z below the highest point, and over-hanging the
D .
Eagles Nest" This can be entered from
above. but not without danger, and is supposed
by some to present the finest view of this very
singular and unique exhibition Of nature.
Above towers Mount Everett 1924 feet, below
Is yawning chasm 800 feet in depth. In such
place man can but feel his own impotence.
His boasted strength here seems feebleness,
and his greatest works vanish, like wreath Of
smoke, into empty air.
The descent is made along the south side of
h. "a. -
strong nerve to pass them. From below it
seems almost impossible to make the descent,
but with great care and what little assistance
can be given, one may pass the most difficult
places IN perfect safety.
The most dangerous place is about half way
down, In making the turn towards the edge of
the dome. The ledge on which We had passed
thus far has a break about six feet in length,
and directly over this is a projecting cliff, un-
der which, on a single plank, il is necessary to
crawl to the ledge beyond. Beneath you is a
chasm into which il would be death to plunge,
while overhead is an immense mass of rock
that compels prostrate condition, and vividly
brings to the excited imagination the effect of
q crush should 1t happen while you are pass
ing. 1t was a relief to stand again on the mar
row ledge, and upright pursue our way down
the cliff. The celebrated Alpine passes are
not more dangerous or difficult. At the foot
Of this cliff is, think, the best view to be found
In the vicinity. Taking q stand on q large
boulder about fifty feet from the cliff, you in
stinetively turn around to view the place of
descent. You find yourself facing about one
fourth Of an immense dome. It's base is on a
perfect curve, about fifty feet from where you
stand. The face slightly curves inward, till at
the hight Of two hundred feet you find its apex
clearly defined on the blue ether directly over
head. The edge at your right Is lost in the
mountain side, and from base to summit is
fringed with the hardy evergreen. The left
edge is cut almost perpendicular by the stream,
and stands out beautifully against the sky.
Here We had the best view Of the Eagles
Nest" 1t is situated about ten feet from the
apex, at the left, and is truly suspended in the
heavens The Nest is on a projecting semi
circular rock about ten feet long and five feet
wide, slightly depressed in the center, and is
capable Of holding i've or six persons. Here,
a few years since, party Of clergyrnen, visit
ing this place for the first time, held prayer
meeting. A very singular freak, indeed; as
single misstep or slight dizziness would have
endangered the lives Of the whole party.
If proof were wanting to sustain the abrading