The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-11-26
The Niagara CT the west.


The Oregon Statesman gives the follow
ing description of the neighborhood of the
splendid Shoshonee Falls, Idaho:
Snake river is the south fork of the
Columbia, having the alternative name of
Lewis river. The valley of the Snake lies
along an almost direct line from the South
Pass of the Rocky Mountains, and in the
early days 1t furnished the most practica-
bic route overland to the Pacific In It's
descent over the elevated plains of Idaho,
about 400 miles from whence it takes its
rise in the Rocky Mountains Snake
river forms the great ShoshUnee Falls
The river here runs through a narrow,
rocky gorge, which widens and terminates
abruptly in precipitous cliffs, the summit
of which is about one hundred feet above
the level of the rapids, and so steep that
the traveller can descend at only one point
AN old Indian trail, its numerous wind
ings making it about a mile in length
Following this trail slowly and carefully,
the tourist will in due time find himself
standing upon the bank of the river on a
level with the rapids and overlooking the
falls. The width of the river at this point
has been variously estimated; we thought
it at least two hundred yards.
The rapids here form series of cas-
cades, ranging from thirty to sixty feet
each IN height, and just below them the
river, in one unbroken mass, leaps two
hundred and ten feet into the bottomless
pit below. The course of the river at
this point is almost due east and west
the contour of the falls is that of an ir-
regular horse shoe, and their width, fol-
lowing the course Of the water. is at least
four hundred yards. Although the river
is NOT quite as wide at this point as the
Niagara river, the falls are higher and
quite as beautiful. The most complete
views of the falls, including the river
above and below the rapids, cliffs and sur
rounding scenery, is obtained from Look
out Point, Lookout Point is a narrow
cape of rocks projecting from the main
bluff about three hundred yards lower
down on the river than the fall, so narrow
that two persons cannot walk abreast.
Standing upon this point, we will en-
deavor TO name the prominent places of
interest The first object which attracts
our attention is Eagle Rock, perpendicu-
lar pillar of rock about one hundred feet
in height, rising from the midst Of the
rapids fifty yards from the south bank of
the river, and almost overhangIng the main
cataract. Upon the topmost peak of this
rock an American eagle has built his eyrie,
a fitting home for our national bird-long
may he live to occupy his unique and ro-
mantle abode just above and about
the centre Of the cataract is Ballard Is
land, a small rocky island covered with
cedar and juniper trees. Several smaller
islands to the right and left of the large
one, or Ballard Island add to the beauty
and pictuTesqueness of the scene.
The Two Sentinels-two huge rocky
pillars-are one on the north, the other on
the south side, overlooking the falls, and
reminding one of grim seniinels guarding
their object. Lower down the river, and
from higher and-polnt, one can obtain
u fine panoramic view of the who!e-the
falls, the foaming rapids, Eagle Rock, the
Two Sentinels, the huge pillars of perpet-
ual spray arising from the the bottom and
near the ceIftre of the cataract, but ex-
tending as it rises TO either side, and made
beautiful by the many colored rainbows
WHICH SilSO q bNiO vi Sloi UPON tue WnOlS
scene Still lower down the river is Pros
pect Gulch. Several gentlemen of the
party, actuated by the spirit of adventure,
determined TO attempt through the gulch
to reach the river below the falls They
lowered themselves fifty feet on the rope
down the perpendicular sides of rocky
cliff Reaching firm ground, they man
aged with but Iittle difficulty to scramble
down about five hundred feet to the banks
of the river. Arriving there they found
that their troubles had just begun; they
were six hundred yards from the falls, to
reach which their path lay around and
over some huge boulders Of slippery rock,
winding along the foot of the steep banks,
and then through the foaming and boiling
waters, the heavy swells of which remind-
ed them strikingly of the breakers on
the sea shore. Finally they reached
point about thirty feet from the falls.
Their journey here camo to an abrupt ter
mination by the shelving of the rocks into
deep water The wind struck this point
with such violence that they feared to trust
themselves In an erect posture. Ga their
knees, they held with their hands to the
overhanging brush to prevent being blown
into the river,