The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-10-25
SCRaMBlES IN WONDERLAND
~ ONE OF TINE ScRAMBLERS.
NoRber ~.

tue VALLEY OF THE YELLOWSTONE.
A forest c"vrr~d mountain. quite steep on
the western dec'ivity. separates the Geysc's
Of the Fire Hole from the upper waters Of
the Yellowstone. 1t is an easy days ride
across. On the summit Of the dividing
deposits from which issue numerous steam
vents by breaking through the outside
crust about these vents, beautiful crystal.
cations Of sulphur are found, delicate rs
frost work, and rich in lustrOus tints Of
yellow. Near by are group of large hot
springs. In some Of these the water is vel.
low with sulphur in Others il is saturated
solution Of alum. dipped cup Of the
latter, boiling hot, and found its taste ex.
ceedingly as,ringent.
Six miles below the lake, near some viii
lainous looking pits Of hot, turbid liquids,
We made our first camp on the Yellowstone.
withsianding the horrible boiling cSul
drons near us, our tents were pitched in a
fine grove Of a most lovely valley. q am
not saying this with nn eye to agriculture.
though grass and flowers were then abund
ant; but, as u picture, the Yellowstone
valley. throughout, is rare masterpiece.
We rode from camp up to
YELLOWSTONE LAKE
On the morning Of September Sd. The
trail following the river. leads through
groves OF pines with open v,stas Of sw"rd.
stream and isl",s varirsatrd by heritage.
rich in suiumnal hucs. The Lake, from our
point Of view, was an idc:.lization Of sercn
est beauty. Its shape Is very irregular.
having on its southern boundary several
long, hnger-like projections. which give it
an extreme length Of % miles, In width
II ranges from to Is miles. The clear.
emerald tinted river issues from the lake
northward with fine sweep Of waters two
hundred feet wide. In the dim distance
southwark was seen sleep mountain slopes.
dark with evergreen foliage, and, nearer.
Stephens Island. but slightly elevated, and
covered with ,ntermingliug groves and
lawns. BY the aid Of On opera glass We
c"uld see white capped waves rolling in the
distance. An elevation, called Elephants
Back. west Of our position. doubtless affords
u KI8uOCT view VI tUC IONC anu ubku ptoAS
to the east and sOulheas, than We witnessed.
Some Of our pnr,y commenced angling for
the big trout wondering whether the reports
If vermicular infection BY ichthyol"gs's
were true. II took but few minutes to
verify their statements. Below the Falls,
however, the fish are healthy.
The high ecuniums written by DR.. Hay.
den in the U. y. Geological Report for 1871,
ON this beautiful lake, elevated 7.427 feet
above the sea. have t'ccn often quoted AMI
since our enthusiasm did not reach its eli.
max here. We pass back 10 note few Of
the
STRANGE SIGHTS
Near our camp below. Nearest was mud
gcyser thirty feet in diameter. A casual
observer might mistake ii for q quiet pool
Of thin mud. Hearing n Succession Of du II
reports, accompanied by the hiss "f steam
witch now ruse il dense, black clouds, We
hurried forth 10 find this geyser hcaving up
its muddy contents % IL 30 feet. When il
ceased this action, twenty minutes after,
the lurbid liquid sank until its basin WAS
almost empty. Oaly few rods distant in
the side ~ y steep rimbsn kmrni WAS
THE GIANTS CAULDKON
The most internal PIT l ever pecpcd into.
Its mrulh is forty feet ACROSS. inpcring
down to twenty feet nj the bottom, where.
at depth ut fifty feet. PUSHES dnrkly u
turbulent river. more fearful, because m"rc
real, than the Siygisn shades Of the ancienis.
From this sce,hins abyss issues dense clouds
of steam visible tor many mules. All
xruund II ARE evidences Of late elections Of
mud tres thirty feet high being covered
with it. The erup'iOns urc probably Caused
by the cavIng Ut the nd jacent sides viii, b
must DC. asiunally occur
u hi e.
in q hill side with an opening sufficiently
large tor u small person IL Walk IN without
st,,Oping: but. So far us heard from. visitors
have prric red To stay outside. The angry
dash Of rock bound waves roar within,
while = continual jarring report similar to
that MA 'e Ivy powerful engine and heavy
machinery is heard accompanied by u rush
Ut scaid'ng hot steam from the portal. A
small stream OF perfectly clear water flows
from this dismal. suhicrrnnean cell.
SULPHUR MOUNTAIN.
Conspicuous ON account + its white and
yellow c.cai pments. is situated two miles
below. Seven Hills" and "Crater Hills
are Other names given 10 the same locality.
Many vi our party following closely the
river, passed this remarkable group Uf alum
and sulphur hot springs-s"me clear. some
turbid. some thick as boiling mush-in fact.
most Of The kinds already described. with
variations in size. temperature and consist
ency innumcrablc. One 1T the tributaries
ut Alum Greek has its source in this group.
Seeing We had passed. d. p. Newcomer, 7.
r. Frazier. and myself rode back. finding
ample reward for the delay it cast. One
sulphur spring here is especially noiewor.
thy. Situated ut the foo! Of the hills. 1t
occupies y circular area fully twenty live
feet y:rOss. and in partly covered byx thin
rim which extends over the water like
margin Of Ice around pond. 1t constantly
bOils with violent agitation. lifting the
water several feet The rim and adjacent
formation il s:skingly beautiful, surprising
any seen in the Gcyscr Basin. The finest
porcelain il not more delicate than the fan
c,ful embroidery mere displayed, Clistcnlng
scraped from the scslding hot water few
round, smooth pebbles, which. on being
broken, showed conccntric layers Of sui
phur and SILICA throughout. Evidently
these pebbles grow by deposition from the
mineral waters.
Turning our faces norihward. We again
passed down the Yellowstone with glowing
anticipatiors If the near Approach to
THE GRAND CANYON
Now less than ten miles distant Our train
being ahead we rode briskly down the trail
amid scenes OF woodland, copsc and lea
which
mice fingered art must emulate in vain
The roar Ut the Fsl's gave note Of their
proximity, but we had no glimpse Of the
Falls or Canyon until after crossing Cas-
canc Crerk, when We suddenly approached
the mighty chasm. At the first partial
view stood fast in mute surprise. and ad.
mira,iOn. There was present an Overp0w>
cring sense Of the possibilities a few steps
further would reveal, and yet hes,tatcd 10
take them. All my h,gh.wrought fancy
had pictured. palcd before the ineffable
impressions Of this first sight. Tying my
horse 10 small tree. stepped out on one
of the bee,Iing rocks. that stand like giddy
passpe,s on Gibraltar. and instinciively
uncovered my head Tie scene was
4 REVELATION OF VAST sUBLIArTY.
Bewildering splendor, Incompatible
grandeur, here meet and mingIe 10 the
superb garni,arc Of these gay. cOored. COl.
os>sl walls thrilling the Gehnlder and ',cg
CARING description. My Father. I thank
Thee" wclled up from thy heart in grateful
praise :" the Master Natures Great Ar,ifI.
ccF
But the Falls! Come stand with me
n l. 4 y