The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-08
A Mountain Road and a Noun
tain Ride.
Beauties Of Highland Lake and
Fort Montgomery.
A Charming Scene Of Wood and Water
1 Opened to Tourists.
ACCIDENT TO CADET HOUSTON


except to those Immediately interested, the guests
OF the hotels ind recreation in exploring the
neighborhood And most assuredly there Is or
novelty in scenery and incident to be had in
MORNINGS ramble quite enough to reward the ad-
venturer. When the historical objects about the
Point are viewed, the Academy and grounds duly
inspected and the glorious river, winding by the
high precipitous mountains on either side, is en-
joyed until the eye tires OF the beauty or the land
scape, one begins to wonder what there is inland
back OF the thickly-wooded hills. People
who have resided here in past Summers
viii remember that there was but one drive, that
between the Point and Cozzens'--a beautiful drive
surely, but only one This was to be draw
back to the enjoyment OF visitors. and the county
authorities have therefore remeded 1t. Since last
Summer
FINE MOUNTAIN ROAD
has been cut from Cozzens' to and over Montgom-
cry Greek, by Fort Montgomery down to High
land Lake. and the drive over the road is one OF
the most interesting within thousand miles Of
the metropolis. Men are still engaged IN widening
and improving it, but 1t is quite safe ana smooth
enough for travel now. Ii was formally opened on
Thursday by party OF gentlemen. and henceforth
will be iavorte drive. From the moment you
lose sight OF the Hudson the scenery is OF
the grandest description. ON either hand
rise the mountains, dmly rom the
river, and majestic, now. broadly fronting
the road. their mantles of green rustlng IN the
wind, and again, as your carriage abruptly turns,
opening and allowing momentary CLEAN OF deep,
dark gorge, through which stream tumbes ana
leaps on its way to lose itself in the bosom
OF the Hudson Tier upon tier, the green
changing to blue, until. in the far distance,
one mountain top hides in a thunder cloud the
ranges rise, and you pause, enraptured, to watch
the ever-varying lights and shadows play. There
are some fine houses on the route, but though seen
from the river, which they 'front.' they are here
concealed from view, and you feel
THE QUIET or THE PRIMRvAL WILDERNESS.
There are no patent medicine advertisements on
the ROCKS as yet no pediers are 10 be met with, and
guides are there to tell you what to look 1T and
what TO think. on The road, II you are inclined to
push into the wood is the site OF old Fort Mont
gomery; that Is, the trenches are there stu. and if
one is disposed 10 he sentimental over the remains
OF those who "nt into the Revolution" dare say
there are bones to be found. One thing will strike
the observer here and that Is the peculiar position
mountain sides when the contcnding armies were
here rs 1t Is now, 1t seems impossible that fort
could have been Of use. Beyond the fort the road
suddenly dips, and running along the edge OF
precipice crosses -
over a new and substantial wooden bridge. A
rushing torrent leaps over ledge vi rocks loo feet
down, and, tearing through narrow passage, de-
sends over second lal TO the bed OF the creek
200 feet below. splendid view is rad from the
bridge OF the Hudson and the country beyond.
ing. with the at meridian lighting up the dark
recesses OF the deep ravne. the music of the sum
music OF the water falling from the cascades above
and mingling with the deeper roar Of the riverway
| down beneath you, 1t IL impossible 10 conceive
spot OF more romantic beauty. Leaving the bridge
| the road again ascends NIL, from the up Of which
splendid view is obtained. ana then IN lew
minutes
pokes Itself into notice. The Grecian proboscis Of
his saintship is slightly blue, for cutting wind
circles round the head OF the mountain In the
mellow Autumn. alter season OF dissipation the
viii doubtless wear y different and Il ruddier
hue. 1t will well repay the visitor 10 come here 10
this ellliOusly formed mountain. even should
he close MS eyes 10 every other object OF beauty IN
the rich and varied l9ndscaDe. Stretching out
rom the body Of the range OF the mountains near
bv, grand massive, spninxiige. its glorious outline
clear against the sky 81 summer blue, IL inspires
feeling OF awe aud awakens admiration. Ssrting
Hill from which the nose is best seen the road
winds down through thick groves OF trees, and
finally OUT IN an open space on the shores OF
HIGHLAND LAKE.
This lake Is sheet OIL water, thirty acres in eX-
tent. surrounded by mountains. and concealed
IRON the suns rays, except for few hours in the
middle Of the day. Tie water is deep, cold and
clear aud OF the color OF dark green. Being so
completely sheltered rom the storms that some
times sweep the mountain sides, the surface OF the
lake IS as unrufiied a.
sKylark never warbled DER.
famous in legend and song. was told that bass
ana other fsh abounded in its cold depths, but
did not seek for them. The mountain ride pro-
voKed appetite, and uncooked tsh had no attrac-
back TO the hotel for dinner. While the shores OF
the lake WILL no doubt. be often visited by picnic
parties when
THE BEAUTIES or THE LOCALITY
are known. as they will now be, through the
HERALD there must be some provision made for
mproyident people like ourselves. And am told
that restaurant l. 10 be put up in place already
selected, for the accommodation OF visitors. Boats
also to he put on the lake, so that rowing aud
fishing can be INDUCED in. The owners OF the
water and ncighborhOod arc pretty well satisfied,
should say. with the profits they already. reap,
and the improvements have mentioned VIII prob
aoly be made BY others
HEAVY HAUL or ICE.
The Highland Lake Association, the owners
alluded to- take from the water every season
5000 tons or the finest ice. The cutting
and hauling costs them about twenty-five
cents ton-say that it costs nifty cents-deliv-
cred in New York. and their annual income from
.ne ice crop Of the lake 49, az the cnrrent price
down wooden tramway through gorge in the
mountain to the Hudson and there put on board
AN UNHACgNEYED PLEASURE GROUND
There can be no doubt however, that the needed led
Northern Railroad OF New Jersey Will have worked
up to Fort Montgomery and then every available
wealth and taste. Before that time arrives those
VINO desire to visit OF the lovelest spots In the
United States easy OF access from the city and UNI
| hackncyed, had better make pilgrimage 20 High
| land Lake.
ACCIDENT TO CADET HOUSTON.
During the cavalry drill by the cadets yesterday
evening one OF the horses trippcd aud ie severely
| inuriDg the rider Cadet Houston. He struck on
! ms head and was stunned by the fall. He was at
once removed to the hospital. where nc now Is. 1t
is not thought that his injuries arc OF fatal char
acter.
This afternoon the cadets OF the graduating class
drilled with pontoons below the engineer barracks
/ The interesting movements were Witnessed by the
secretary OF War, the Board OF Visitors and most
OF the officers ana people OF the post. In the even
| ing there was hop az the West Point Hotel, at
! which the cadets distinguished themselves as
usual. large number OF visitors arrived tonight
and the coming week promises TO be very gay.
w. simpson, OF the London Illustrated Ne,cs, ar
rived to-day al CozZens Tor the purpose OF taking
sketches OF West Point for that journal.