New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-12
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
A PLEASURE TRIP.

sTORM-ESTER's PARK-THR FISH AND
DEER THAT WERE NOT CAUGHr-nOME
AGAIN.
GREELEY, Colorado, Oct 4.-Our proposed
journey to the mountains had been long delayed by the
pressing demands OF all the Summer days. hut finally. on
the 2s Of September everything ready II was not
until O'Clock that we could get away many details
required attention. since 10 be gone over week.
Our party numbered fifteen. three Of whom were lades
-Four mounted horseback; the rest were dstrp
nted In two twohorsc wagons, in which were s""ou"
supply Of blankets AMI sachels several guns also our
provisions and pots kettles and pans, which rso d"
rode along Going mp the Cache Ia Poudre aoon' nVo
miles, we turned south making flight ascent ana
thence proceeded across swelling divide 10 the Dig
Thompson, twelve miles distant The ROAD was soo'i ~
swells fine two TO four miles long, prokeh ny Sn
intervening descents and when an elevation apparently
higher than all others was reached announcer Brauuh'
.roae bevond IT, Not house human being was 10
be seem and though the grass was exoehen' scarcely
any cattle were seem This divide between the Cacne IN
sondre and the Big Thompson is N the shape OF TIL
angle the base which extends about 20 miles along tho
mountains while the other two sides are each about %
miles in length forms the best stockrange in Colo
RADIO and probably in the world The greatest defect b
want Of water still, there are few ponds, and In the
".acs" or deprcssiOns wells might be dug and the
water raised by wind power. Proceeding parallel with
the mountains and about miles distant, had vary
ing views Of the long ranges and OF the several snowy
peaks, while Longs Peak, rising far above all the rest
presented constantly changing The Big Thomp
reached by descending gradual slope fully two
miles long, and went into camp IN meadow close 10
the water while the horses were picketed
Our cook had ridden ahead and obtained milk and
butter Of ranch across the river and when we arrived
bo was building fire. small tent pitchedfor.the
ladies' and when coffee had been made and some bacon
fried we ate dinner seated the grass around the tent
discovered that the coffee provided was East
india stuff composed OF chiccory rye, and extract OF
x-Rot nd wa
nesrly O'Clock before we resumed our Journey Then
crossed the river and passing corn field and large
stacks Of hay and gr0in near ranchmans house, we
sscended 10 the divide, between the Big and Little
Thompson, extending fully 10 miles. The farms, OF
ranches along the valley of the Big Thompson are well
cultivated and remarkably productive; indeed, have
anywhere seen such large stacks Of wheat oats
and barley raised such small pieces Of ground. The
fields equal to any in Illinois, and potato vines
entirely covered the ground Farming in this valley has
extremely profitable and was told OF case where
20 OF yielded 60 bushels to the acre and that
tho crop sold nj - cents pound at the machine
This WAS few years ago, when the demand for the
mines greater than the supply. Crops are nearly
good now but prices have fallen, oats wheat and
corn seldom bringing more than four cents q pound,
while average not exceed three cents; but at
rates even farming is more profitable than else
where for the reason that by of irrigation fail
need scarcely be taken into account. Mr.. Greeley
always has expressed high opinion OF the country on
the Big Thompson and with good reason but there is no
that valley Of the Cache Ia Poudre equally
valuable acre for 1t is TO be remarked that we
have greater extent Of ground which can be rri
gifted a. it comprises ess than 100000 acres. while
on the Big Thompson they have only fraction Of this
amount.
Tho Little Thompson Is marked by line OF cotton
woods but contains running water and there are
hut ranches along its valley Some bitches are taken
out near the mountains and there s supply Of water
during June and July the stream does not rise in
the Snowy range water disappears In August Turning
up this valley rapidly approached the mountains and
5OcOck reached the canon Of the Little Thompson
whore Longs Peak the Snowy Range, and all the prom
Uncut elevations disappeared, and only the swelling but
still Lofty foot hills could be That Is to when
the Rocky Mountains they disappear and it's
only when at Assistance that they can be SEEM Individual
mountains, however, are easily enough when one
them, and in crossing them the labor endured
will be long remembered
Entering the canon frequently crossing the dry
aud rocky of the stream the narroweaied cotton
wood began to appear wild plumtrees, gooseberry
.nd cnrrant bushes and clumps OF Willows formed thick
es almost mpenetrable We passed several houses and
small eds when the valley opened little, and after
proceedg about five miles up the canon the teams were
driven ont into narrow, grassy plot, and camp was
made the night fire was built of dry limbs, and
after searching quite time In the dark, among the brush
and rocks, water found in hole, with which the
coffee was made For drinking purposes the water an
very WE'LL provided one had teeth through which
Il could be strained. The cook understood his business
for he bad cooked on ocean steamships and 1t quite
acheertu sight TO see him making biscuits with -four
water and baking-pOwder, and to walk around the
nre among his pots and pans, while his long Mexican
spurs jngled each step. When the coffee was done
and fried supper ready and then those
who were OF inquisitiye turn made examination
the stOck OF provisions which had been provided
This was a hint for the opening Of can OF
peaches 1t seemed TINT had three sacks Of -four to-
t 100 bs 20 lbs rusty bacon, which TO be used
in frying Ash when should catch them two lbs. OF
lard. few packages Of bakingpOwder 20 lbs Of that
co half pound Of tea, three OF peaches three do.
Of tomatoes, two lbs OF butter and some pepper
and salt When 1t asked this a
proper supply for pleasure party IL was answered that
would get Esters Park the next day where trout
would DO found by the hundred pounds, and that we
would have our I'LL of mountain sheep, black tailed deer
elk grouse pigeons, and ducks Then all went TO
bed The ladies had the tent; the rest slept on the
ground with blankets, and the stars them. The
high hills each side shut In the thcket close
around aud all slept in confidence for it too late
In the season for rattlesnakes.
portion of our party had a scientific object and It
was intended ascend Longs Peak and take observa
on II thought easy for the ladies 10 make the trip
With barometer various elevations ascertaiDed
the initial being at Greeley which, at the surface Of the
upper lake 10 the park s49 feet above the level
entrance Of the at the foot OF the mountains
j599 feet and that of camp 500. Weather clear
temperature about 100.
Day dawned rather late I'm the gulch, and the first thing
do 10 send some men back horseback 10 the
drst ranch. for Of butter and oats. Break
Cast was over by O'Clock and got under way soon
after still ascending the canon valley of the Little
Thompson We crossed the stream times, here and
there coming TO water and testing 1t in the hope of find
ing II drinkabe but it srngy OF springs
not one. II that the rocks OF the Rocky
Mountains stand for the most part Ia vertical posltiop