New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-17
A TRIP TO COLORADO.
xI.-CRoSsMa THB BERTHoUD PASS.


1efore. leaving Denver, and adhered to them in
spite Of warnings and persuasiOns. MIR. Byers Is an
accomplished mountaineer, to whom much of the
sgound is familiar, and preferred taking his advice
to that of others who spoke from than
experience II would be difficult, il not impossible, to
GROSS Berthoud Pass, many persons asserted; the
kardships Of Col. Babeoek's party fortnight ago,
we're constantly cited and the speeters Of risk and
danger, which those who stay at home delight to
evoke for those who travel accompanied us uPto the
sery,momeRt Of starting
At. Empire, however the people contented them
selves with predicting that could not get over the
pass in a day-and, indeed, there seemed strong
probability that they right. White out at day
bgeak TO corral the horses and mules: also rose
early washed ourfaces in the frosty ar, in the midst
eta panorama of rose-tinted Alps, took an early
"square breakfast and tied our equipments in con-
Portable parcels for packing. But the animals, well
suspecting what before them refused to be cor
sailed First one assistant, then another, was dis
patched until five persons busy, and nine o'clock
had arrived, before there was any prospect Of our
departure In the time, the landlord produceda
boiled ham, and tn-kettle full Of hot biscuit, which
we put into a eofee-bsg. "They might ha' been sad
der, Nsaid he, speaking of the biscuit; they pack
better when they're sad"
Gen. Pierce had set out on his return to Denver,
taking with him our billed shirts and store clothes.
We were stti7td in flannel, and becomiAgly rough,
each with the handle Of tin cup hooked into the
buton-hOe of his coat his rowsers tucked into huge
riding boots, spur on heel and buckskin gloves ON
hand. BY this time White had arrived with the ami
mals-two cute little pack mules, lean dun mare for
myself and large brown mule for Mr.. Beard. The
other gentlemen had their own beasts. The packing
stTalping. ana other fEal preparations were done
hastily, and by 10 O'Clock we were in the saddle.
"Youll camp this side of the pass tonight" said
Judge Cowles; and SO we fode out of Empire.
wish we had word in the English language cor
responding to the German "reiselust'-beeause that
word and none other expresses the feeling with which
one sets out on ajOurneY in the pure upper air of
mountain region. The blood cirsuates with nimble
alacrity the lungs expand with tingling sense of
delights all sights and sounds Of nature have char
acter Of cheer and encouragement; life is most
agreeable condition, and ones fellOw-men are good
fellows, every one of them.
ii was superb day. The wind blew down from
the sncw-felds temperiDg the heat of dazzling sn
IN aeloudess sky. The village behind us showed
setwecn groups VI tail, dark hr-trces the creek,
damned Cor a stamp-mll, spread out bright lake in
the lap of the valley and southwark the sharp sum-
nit of Montgomery Peak rose high above al the
rounding mountains. We had still good wagon
road, with rough bridges across the torrents which
came down from every rocky glen. The paek-mues
msciously strayed bither and thither shaking Of
balance their hastily arranged loads and sometimes
even hiding behind the trees in the hope of escaping
their destiny
The valley gradually narrowed, and we entered a
dele far grander than anything had yet seenin the
Rocky Mountains. On either side enormous masses
of dark-red rock lowered heads 10 the hight
Of teePhundred feet soorn and split into colossal
towers, walls and buttTeSses that every minute pre-.
eented new combination of forms. The, bed Of the
glen was filled with huge fragments, tumbled from
above, Even here, high up "a almost tnsScSessihls
Points the prospeetOrs had left their traces ured by
the indications OF ore in cliffs above, TO which they
dare not climb. Our necks ashed with gazing at the
sharp sky piercing SUBMITS in the hope Of detecting
mountain sheep; but none were to be seen,
We forded thes South Clear. which, swollen by the
melting SHOWS reached 10 the horses bellies and was
50 swift that they could scarcely keep their footing.
The road then entered forest of fir and pine over
se tops Of which we and then caught the glmmer
II snowy snmmih. But the new and beautiful Flora
Of the mountains kept my gaze to the earth. Both
new flowers and new varieties Of familipramies made
their appearance lovely species Of the cOlunbine
(oeuilegia) large and white the horns and external
petals Of apae violet would be great ornament TO
our gardens. There were also several handsome va.
chrona, and an unknown spicy flower Of the purest
TURQUOISE blue The mahORia here called the "Oregon
grape" is very abundant in tho forests have found
Il In all parts Of the mountains which have yet Wis
tied.
Beyond the rocky gorge which have described,
The valley opens again, revealing its head, nclOed by
nssem-crcuar sweep Of the snowy range. As this is
one Of the points, suggested for the passage OF the
Rocky mountains by the Pacific Railroad we took
careful note Of its conformation, and the facilities
"a inc
average fall of Clear Creek. from the base OF the d.
riding ridge TO the Plains near Denver, Is about 100
feet per mile and there is 10 difficulty in building
road through that part of the valley which rayeTsed
On reaching the head Of the valley, three passes offer
themselves. The first is the famous Berthoad Pass,
on the right offering way into the Middle Park
through q depression in the main cham. tiye mIes
further is the Vasquez Pass also on the nght hand
This however is rather trait over the crest OF the
mountain, than gQsS. Some four OF i've miles FUR
Their at the very head Of the valley is q new pass
recently discovered by Mr. Jones who is at present
engaged in constructing wagon road over II the
Park. Both the latter passes are higher than the Ber
thOud but the is said TO offer the easiest ap
proaches. 1t has not vet been surveyed, and may
prove the most favorable for railroad.
AT the foot OF the BorthOad Pass We had already
risen more than 1900 feet above the sea, leaving
about 2, 600 feet still to be suunounted. We were
eight miles from Empire and three from the summit.
Our pack-mnes were forced, with great difficulty, 10
leave the wsgon-rosd, and TAKE the narrow trail
which struck directly up tho steep flank OF the noun.
tain. II was indeed, a terrible pull which awaited
them. We had not made hundred yards before our
horses stopped almost gaspng for breath. ] could
seei the heart Of my lean mare knocking rapidly
against her ribs. A few little knobs or projections
from the line of descent favored the poor beasts for
awhile, but it was not long before these ceased aud
the terrific slant Of the mountain presented itself
relieved TO be overcome. The trail was a mere mark
In the grayey soil, where a stone loOsed by the foot
would find no rest until it reached the level of the
valley HE ANGLO Of descent vas IN snra nanas mt