New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-09
A TRIP TO COLORADO.
xv-Two ROCKY MOUNTAIN PASSES

n
COON dining-roOm and plrlor, and the ladies Of the
house could not properly set the breGkasttable in
the presence Of four gentlemen in shirts. SO we
Issued forth early to fad white frost tho mea-
dOws and a golden glitter Of snow all around the
brightest Of morning skies. Among the Alps, suck
morning Is q rare God-send here, it is almost mat
Ter Of course. Whatever effect the climate Of the
Rocky Mountain region may have upon the perma-
nent settlers there is doubt that for travellers it is
one Of the most favorable in the world II takes fat
from the corpulent and gives it 10 the lean; it
strengthens delicate lungs and paints pad faces with
soor and in spite Of "their air and alkali water"
q invigorates every function Of the system. doubt
whether any Of Us, at home, could have yentured
wsding in the snow being ducked in iee-water, and
camping on the damp earth with the same impunity.
We stH followed up the Blue River, now so dimin.
ished that its clear swift waters had power TO stop
our progress. After passing through dlapidated
forests Of fir and pine for hour, the trail entered
sloping mountain meadow, several miles long, with
vista Of shining peaks 40 either end New flowers
turQu0iseblue purple and yellow-sprinked the turf
the air was filed with resnous odOrs, aud the sun
shine had lust sufficient power 10 take the lev edge of
the air and make it fresh and inspiring. The trail
for the most part, was dry and firm, and our travel
becamesomething more ora luxury than it had been
during the previous days.
Near the head OF the valley, immediately under the
snowy ridge, there was great tract which the gold
washers had gone over with unspaung hand. IL must
have been rich placer, for two or three inhabited
cabins remain, and there signs of recent labor
The snow-drts lay thick all around, the grass was
iust beginning 10 shoot, and the threemonths
summer Of the higher ranges during which only gold
washing can be carried on, had barely made its
appearance The residents were absent (probaby
prospcctug) and there was no living creature to be
seen, except ioron donkey.
Beyond this spot we came unexpectedly upon the
summit Of the pass. Our ascent from Breckenridge
had been very gradual, and we had not guessed the
great elevation Of the latter place above the seaevel
This route has been surveyed, and our guide, Mr..
Matthews pointed out the stakes from time TO time
with great satisfaction. The top Of the pass is little
below the timber line, and tho stake there Is marked
." H. 900 feet" The average ascent on the south
side 90 feet 10 the mile while the descent on the
north only averages 20 feet The building Of a rail-
road would not be attended with the slightest dlih-
Guilty. This pass dividing the Middle from the South
Park. is as have explained in former letter, also
She watershed between the Atlantic and Pacific.
The grand oHsh0Ots Of the main cham OF the Rocky
Mountains, numerous aud 30 lofty, are apt to lead
The eye asray and give impression of difficulties,
which disappear on q closer acquaintance with the
rcgi0u The first entrance Of the Pacific Railroad
into the mountains will be found suspect, quite as
difficult as the passage Of the dividing ridge.
We halted on the summit, TO enjoy the narrow but
very striking views into the opposite Parks. North
ward. we looked down the long green meadow, with
Dts inclOsing slopes Of forest 10 line OF snow-clad
peaks in the middle distance and then higher and
Fainter line rosily flushed, a hundred miles away
she northern wall Of the Park Southwark, the val
1ey Of the Platte deep gray-grcen trough curylng
out Of sight among the lower ranges, bore striking
resemblance 10 the upper valley Of the Saco, as You
look upon it from Mount Willard. Beyond IT. the
Increasing dmness OF each line Of mountains, told oil
broad invisible plains between; and the farther peaks,
scarcely to be detached from the air were me merest
ALPINE phantoms Directly to the west Of US, how
ever rose q knot 81 tremendous snowy sleeps,
crowned by a white, unbroken cone. This is Mount
Lincoln. believed 10 be tho highest point in Colorado
The estimates vary between $1,000 and le,COO feet
bat the most Trustworthy measurement-Wmch also
corresponds with It's apparent elevation ABOVE me
pass-is 49, 600 feet Later IN the season, II can be
ascended without much difficulty
Il Is fortunate that this prominent summit is so ap
proprately named II Is the central POM rom wen
pc least four snowy ranges rada'e Is COO feet higher
than any peak which has yet been measured, ana me
view from its snowy apex can hardly be drawn with
shorter radius than $50 miles, Although not stand
Jog alone like the volcanic cones fOregoD but IN the
mda Of a sublime alpine world, II yet asserts IT'S su-
M gromaoy and its huge, Wintry buttrcsses form
prominent feature in the landscapes OF the south
fark.
We now turned 20 the right in order 10 visit Mont
gomerv, which lies the very head-waters OF the
E1uth Platte q. the foot Of Mount Lincoln, whose
rocky sdes are vencd with the richest ores. In less
Than mile after leaving the top Of the pass we saw
The signs OF mixing all around and above u. had
Eurei Of mining plans aud prospects IN Central City,
end viii only say that the people Of Montgomery are
lust a. saugune those of the former place. ana tber
nres 10 far / could judge from specimens are Just
n rich and abundant. II would interest those VINO
own stock in the North S ar, the Pioneer, ana other
companies il l should infinitely describe their sepa,
Tsts lodeS but most Of my readers, presume, |iu
be satisfied With the general statement that inc "eatn
nj Colorado bias not BEEN and cannot easily De- eAas
gereted. -,
Descending a long and toilsome deeliyty 70 the
Town We drew up Al the Post -OHee. Friendly hands
SJok charge Of our animals and q dinner was prom
Ie5 In cOmmemOrati0n Of our return 70 nc Atlantic
Side Of the Rocky Mountains. Mr.. Walton, l an
elst 20 say has become thorough American IN every
tbiaF but his knowledge Of cookery and The epast be
Furnished u.s. although commencing with oyster soup
and ending with peaches, bore no re5eml 10 me
dreery fare served up in most 81 our hotels "heh ~
va over and we we're enjoying The pipe OF peace IN
the sun the intelligent company OF NJ hey' former
" Consul Of France 40 Montevedo, and several Amer
icsa gentlemen, gave an ar OF refinement ana an
ent culture % the place. II required an effort 70 re-
ca the fact that was in the widest nook, the very
Isat Of the Rocky Mountains.
Montgomery, like Breckenridge, is o deserted town
L. once had population Of 5000, ana now numbers
thrre or four hundred. But as the cabins OF those
Who left speedily became the freVood al those who
remained there are no apparent signs OF decay. On
the contrary the place seems % BE- growing little,
and a. soon as The "new process u satisfactorily
scorlsined 10 viii shoot up into permanent import
aaoe. We had only time 20 make our incoming there,
ny place Of destination being BucasAin joe eight
ailes further.
We rode FIVE miles down the South Platte. then
climbed over ono Of the many insteps Of Mount Lin.
e1in into @ narrower valley, running westward along
fh, 8ao. Near its head 10000 feet above The sea-
lies ne town Of the lovely uamo-a somewhat larger
40 moro active place than Montgomery. TIE people,
Tor Che space Of two or three years. made desperate
attempt 10 change the name TO "Laurette, which Is