New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-30
A TRIP TO COLORADO.
v.--TuE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND DENVER


miles Ours was the last coach which passed over the old
road the stations and stock being taken up behind u.s. and
transferred across the country 10 their now positions
The road from Cheyenne Wells to Denver thus Abridged
by 40 niles making the ontirs distance from Fort Riley
to the latter place AGO miles. When the stations are
shortened to an average of 10 or IL miles, and the rosd as
well stocked 1t should be- the trip can easily be made
in three days By that time the trains on the Pacific
Railroad will be running TO Fort Riley and ~ hours
will bring the traveller to St. Louis
will not recapitulate bruises during the night but
rather pass at to TIE sparkling morning which broke
upon us while crossing the divide between the Big Sandy
nnd the first tributary Of tho Platte IL the foreground
stretched range Of groom, grassy hills, dotted with pas
turing antelope and crested with scattered groves OF pne
high above aud far beyond them lowered the keen shining
wedges Of tho Rocky Mountains. Pixies Peak, in the
south apparently at hand, although 20 miles
distant Longs Peak in the northwest, resembled on
Alpine horn in its sharp, abrupt outline; and between
these two farhest oupoS Of tho snowy range arose many
O nameless yot beautiful summit The character Of the
scenery had completely changed since tn, preceding sun
set. charmed ont Of all Of fatigue all feeling
| of discomfort, except thst Of hunger.
At Reeds Springs obtained our last square meal
with the inevitable bacon for dollar and half Thence
forth our road led over the high divides between tho
Beaver Bou and Kiowas Greeks oil OF which flow north
ward the Platte The country grandly adapted TO
grazing aud oil the bottomands capable Of being
famed The pine along tho ridges is OF but moderate
growth but it VIII, no doubt become better and more
abundant with protection new fora here met ur. The
csctus with its SNOWY crimson and golden blossoms be-
came scarce found splendid eaetroma, with sspiks
Of pure aamecolof great quantities Of wild vetch, with
Pink blossoms and thick growth OF purple upDs. TAe
erass was quite different from thai tho plains, and many
poeus u these hills would furnish large Quantities OF
wild hay Al some Of the stations along tho Smoky Hill,
the mon have moving machines with which they harvest
0 full Winter supply for their stock.
Tho view Of the Rocky Mountains from the divide near
Kiowa Creek is considered Of the nolt IN COLORADO
From the roezy ridge between scattered groups OF pns
you look upon $50 miles Of the snowy arge from the
Ssngro do Cr,o TO the spurs away toward Laramie.
variety and harmony Of form In effect eCtins. the dark
blue sky in breadth and grandeur know no external
picture Of tho Alps which can be placed beside It. you
could take away tho valley Of the Bbone end unite ths
AlIs OF Savoy with the Bcnesc Overland you might OBJ
tain ioerable idea Of this view % ITO Rocky hountans
Pixies Peak would then roprcscn the Junefnu, name
less snowy gaf in front Of you Monte Roa, sli Longs
Peak Aont Blanc Tic attitudes very nearly correspond.
and there is certain similarity in theforns The average
hight cf tho Rocky Mounaas however sarl,,ei that OF
the Alpi
Midday Intensely salty, viii he brit dos: bad
experienced We took hasty dinncr a. Running Creek
and then made slow way With poor horses tAe
ridge. Cherry Creek which s,ruck ahcr. u miles
above Denver Up to this POINT had fcend no settle
m.nt except two or three grezing ranches. Tie eide
down Cherry Creek through sand aid dat the banks
Of the muddy stream was the most hresome part II ths
overland journey. Mile sfte- mile Ee-t slowly IL, and
still there sign Of cultivation. A. last four nile,
from the town wo reached neat little tave,D, beside
whchFrew some ooitonwoods. Here there wsre two o.
three ranches in the process Of establishment tbs water
fromtho wells was vory sFec. snl cola.
Our next sign oflfe the evidence o, I,a,A;ho IN
fenced cemetery Of Denyer, the TOT Of tlo ndge ]
looked out ahead from time 10 time bat coald neither
horse, tree, fence other EgI ofhalitson ~ fellow
passengers had been loud In their praise, Of the pAee and
therefore said nothing. Suddenly psrcs,gsd iAISaen
the dust stately square Gothic tower and rubbed M
ewes with OF increduy. II really true taors
The tower built Of briek, VslqropoI,ioaed and pic.
turcsque Dwellings and cottages over the dp OF tbs
ridge on either side brck blocks began 10 appear end
presently VIC rolling through gay animated streets
down the stas Of which the snowy ranges 10 tie west
shining fairly in the setting sun. The coach drew
up at the Pacific Hotel where found hearty welcome
and good quarters and In just four days and 81 horrs
from Fort Riley ca, down, not 20 square meal, but to
an excellent supper.
The two days which have since elapsed have gyea
good superficial acquaintance with the place. Fsi, let
me say That the views which have appeared Ia the Illus,
tratcd papers simply carcatures Instead Of being
cluster Of houses fat plain, with range OF clumsy
mountains in the distance and Pixies Peak standing alone
in the thereof it is built upon gradual Slope
rising eastward from tho junction OF Cher! creek win
the Platte II is as well built any town Of equal size
in the Mississippi Valley The Methodist Church and
Seminary tho Banks and principal business houses, sody
constructed OF brick (the former ediee with considerable
architectural beauty give the place air o permanence
very surprising who has Just arrived nom tho East
Beyond Platte tho land rises with sgenile gradual
slope the base Of the Rocky Mountains, II miles dis
tant and there part Of the town which does not az
ford view OF the great range. Longs Peak more than
$1,000 feet in hight just fills the vista of the principal
business street Pixies Peak is far to the le overlooking
the head OF the Cherry Greek Valley consequently,
view Of Denver in which 1t is made tho prominent fsa
ture does not correctly represent the place.
Although business of ali kinds Is extraordinarily duh at
present and the people therefore much dspned as
Colorado nature will admit Denver seems TO me TO have
very brisk and lively air. number OF substantial build
ngs going up, there is constant movement In tho
streets the hotels crowded aud the people one meets
are brinful of cheerful energy The stores aud ware
houses arc thoroughly stocked and prices lower than
one would expect considering the tedious and expensive
land transportation. At the Pacific Hotel you pay u per
dsy-no more than in New-York, and have an equally
good table, There may not DO such excessive bill Of
fare but could distinguish difference In the cooking
Vegetables the market plenty and cheap and appear
to be of remarkably Gne quality
The dryncss of the climate and occasional extremes OF
cold in Winter appear TO be tho principal drawbacks
Near the mouth Of Cherry Creek there grove Of
able coonwood and perhaps dozen other specimens ara
dispersed sngy through the lower part Of the town. At
being made coouze this trce-which