New-York tribune., 1870-08-18
SUMMER LETTERS.
AMONG THE ADIRONDACKs.
rxcrRsroNs FROM KEENE FLATS.

EXCURSIONS FROM KEENE FLATS
KrrNF FLATs-From this little mountain
hamlet many interesting excursions may ne maui
one day az least must he spent at E0muius ronus
about II miles from Keene Fais-a suanso nc
nomer that gives to many of these peau,i,u' - -
water only the dignity of ponds. TheSe' HAo eO iy
other Of the Adirondack lakes, are in pairs III h'
defle walled in by high and froWnng GINS W' , 80
r for n road on one side close to the overShauo"is
MAINTAIN there is wild and gloomy grandeur 'po"'
place quite unlike any other spot we NlSl'eu' ,as
coniure M any horrible visions here, iof 'no i'H0l
and yildnoss become really oppressive. lno i
road runs straight the entire length ol 'no wv ~,
with no posshle chance Of turning 10 tne r6' Vi 0
left IL any prowng beast shonid shO" i'S0n o. -,
o,,n,or which M anv nromont seems the most nkey
the world TO happenwith nothing put te oeep'
l,ack water on one side and almost perpehdleuar chs
nm the other With all my love for canphS out 'hhA
could scarcely wish to spend night III such paoe as
this No signs Of fe not evena boat Is seen ON e'ner
lake Yet the finest trout are tahoh noie' anu P"0'
often come FOR fishing.
The ride 10 North Elba is another favore excursion,
though let no connect the idea of ease and comfort
wifi, ride over these rough mountain roads. The intol-
erable ioug makes riding thing simply TO be endured
NOT in any sense 10 be enjoyed independently OF the
scenery. over Keene Mountain, through the long
stretches Of woods, with the mountains closing around
you and out at last the magnificent plateau, brings
Won 70 North Elba It not village, only houses scat
tered and there the central place being scotts
favorite sOppng-pace with all travellers through TINS
region His large, fine farm has been owned ana tiied
nv him for fifty years. and his Widespread table and
neatlykopt house make IL an attractive resort Inc
view is different from any other in the whole Adirondack
region The plateau ITSELF level plain, is 1900 feet
above the level the sea- and around It'll this great am
phtheaer Of mountains, Marcy, Golden Mcintyre WALL
face Whteace and host Of less prominent ones. For
distant mountain view it is unequaled. From
Bynns, mile or two distant from scotts, ana
quite shut out from the rest Of the world
eng on the bank of the Ausabe River just at the point
where parties come in from the Indian Pass we had a
much better view of these mountains. Though - miles
distant we could look into the Pass with Wallace rising
perpendculary 5000 feet high, and Mcintyre slopng
away on the opposite side. COlden or Scalp Mountain,
as the Indian signifies could see very distinctly
1t was freshly scalped for the week before came the fear
fu which barred its side anew and entirely altered
Lake Avalanche that lies at its base The slide came
down the lake with such terrific force that IT sent
the water rushing up the opposite sde carrying cabin
80 or 40 up slope lying at angle OF nearly IS de-
grees. looked that way with longing eyes, and hope
day 10 for ourselves the many wonders OF when
we have heard 80 much
About two miles from Scott's, and still higher
ground ID the John Brown farm said to be the highest
cultivated land in the State. We looked with interest TO
his early home where he dwet without reproach no one
saying aug against him-a tribute In this region,
where hears oener the censure thap the praise But
with far deeper interest looked at his last resting
place after his tragca end He sleeps in the dooryard
of the old cad with granite bowder for his mon
nent-mOre significant and grander far than any scu
tured marble.
ride Of a few miles from scotts brings TO Nashs
beaut full situation" On the bank OF little lake.
smooth and CLASSY mirror when 1t, 1T looked
very tempting spot, and was crowded as all these ,
places are walk OF Is minutes carried us over the
intervening hill 10 Lake Placid one of the noted points
among she AdiTOndacks not only for its own singular
beauty being just what its name implies, but also from
its position az the foot Of Whiteface This noble noun
tain 5000 feet high and romit summit obtained the
celebrated lake view Marcy is unI1Valed Tor Its noun
tain view, Whteace for the lakes. In clear day. 81 may
lie distinctly We did not 60 uT-indeed, u wa so
tainy where it That is another pleasure held III
reserve which hOpe tie future may yet give us.
In going 10 North ba one is struck by the dnerehce
liz the woods. Adcr passing keene Mountain, we rode
evergrecC, instead Of being Dense compact pyramids
witt spreading bases, here perhaps, not less com
,act but taller and much more slender more cone
shared hut tapering al tie last TO graceful arrOWy
point il lifts its monumental column OF green INTO beau
tiful Outue against the sky. g.,
should prove recreant to many pleasant memories II
among Adirondack trees failed 10 make honorable
mention white birch-its bark cleaning like silver
rne everywhere. II seemed act of Vandalism, which,
nevertheless could not resist Committing, TO strip on
the bark and separate IL into i numbeRes paper layers
each beautifully marked and such exquisite tex tuIe
Cut fingers torn dresses, and broken knives were light
penalty pay for the frequent theft The tree has
Wonderful tcnacity of life, and marvellous faculty OF
healing its wounds else / could hardly have had the
sicar 10 do it. have old weatheI-wOrn, storm
eaten birch, with its ragged bark flying IKE penn0nS
c whole length 81 its trunk touched with MATCH and
in an instant ii was wrapped in hames-a tery column
40 or 80 feet n hight cracking roaring, ieaplng upward
IA strange sight III the still, green woods.