Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-11-03
NIAGARA'S RIVAL.

Snake River is the south fork of the
Columbia, having the alternate name OF
Lewis River. The valley of the Snake
lies along an almost direct line from
the South Pass of the Rocky Noun
tains, and in the early days it furnished
the most practicable route overland
to the great and mighty Pacific. In its
descent over the elevated plains of
Idaho, about 400 miles from whence it
takes its rise in the Rocky Mountains,
Snake River forms the Shoshone Falls.
The river here runs through a narrow,
rocky gorge, which widens and terrnin
ates aprubtly in PERCEPTIONS 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 windings making it about
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 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 bot
tomless 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 irregular horseshoe, and their
width, following the course of the wa
ter, 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 view of the falls,
including the river above and below
the rapids, cliffs and surrounding seen
cry is obtained from Lookout Point.
lookout Point is narrow cape of rocks
projecting from the main bluff about
three hundred yards lower down on the
river than the falls, so narrow that two
persons cannot walk abreast
Standing upon this point, We viii en-
deavor to name the prominent places
of interest The first object which at
tracts our attention is Eagle Rock, u
perpendicular 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 al
most overhanging the main cataract
Upon the topmost peak Of this rock an
American eagle has built his cyric, fit
ting home for our noble national bird
long may he live to occupy his unique
and romantic abode Just above, and
about the centre Of the cataract, is
Ballard Island, II small rocky Island
covered with cedar and juniper trees.
Several smaller islands, to the right
and left of the large one or Ballads Is
land, add to the beauty and picturesque
ness of the scene.
The Two Sentinels--two1 huge rocky
pillars-are one on the north, The 9TH
er on the south side, overlook the falls
and reminding one Of grim sentinels
guarding their object Lower down
the river, and from higher standpoint,
one can obtain a fine panoramicview OF
the whole-the falls, the foaming rap.
wids Eagle Rock, the Two Sentinels,
the huge Pillars Of perpetual spray
rising from the bottom aud near the
centre OF the cataract, but extending
as it rises to either side. and made beau
tful by the many-colored rainbows
which shed halo of glory upon the
whole scene SSH lower down the liv-
er is Prospect Gulch. Several gentle
men of the party, aetuated by the
spirit of adventure, determined TO at
tempt, through the gJlch, to reach the
river below the falls. They lowered
themselves City feet ON u rope down
the perpendicular sides Of rocky
cliff Reaching firm ground, they man
aged with but little difficulty to scram.
bic down about five hundred feet TO the
banks Of the river, Arriving there
they found that their trouble had just
begun ; they we're SIX hundred yards
from the falls, to reach which theii
path lay around and over some huge
honlders Of sEnnnrv rocks. windino