The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-11-28
Scrnmbles in Wonderland.
BY One of the ScrambIerS.
Number Four.

). nun LIZ w liz lfI-ISpN
\ forest covered mountain, quite steep
on the western dcclivity, Separates the
Geysers of the Fire Hole from the upper
waters of the Yellowstone. 1t is an easy
days ride across. On the summit of the
dividing range are souc huge mounds of
sulphur deposits, from which issues nu-
merous steam vents. by breaking through
the outside crust about these vents,
beautiful crystal!zations of sulphur are
found, delicate rs frost work, and rich in
lustrous tints of yellow. Near by are a
group Of large hot springs. In some of
these the water is yellow with sulphur;
in others it lisa saturated solution of
alum. dipped a cup of the latter, boil
ing hot, and found its taste exceedingly
astringcnt.
Six miles below the lake, near some
yillainOus looking rits of hot, turbid liq-
uids. we made our first camp on the
Yellowstone. Notwithstanding the hor-
rible, boiling caldrons neal us, our tent
was pitched in a fine grove ofa most
lovely valley. am not saying this with
an eye to agriculture, though grass and
flowers were then abundant; but, as a
picture, the Yellowstone Valley, through
Cit. is a rare masterpiece.
We rode from camp up to
YELLOWSTONE LAKE,
Ga the morning of September Sd. The
trail following the river leads through
groves of pine with open vistas of sward,
stream aud islets variegated by heritage,
rich in autumnal hues. The Lake, from
Our point of view, was an idealization of
serenest beauty. Its shape is very irreg-
ular, having on its southern boundary
several long, inger-likc projections,
which give it an extreme length of %
miles. In width it ranges frem 5 to Is
miles. The clear, emerald-tinted river
issues from the lake northward with a
fine sweep Ofwater 200 feet wide. In the
dim distance southwark was seen steep
mountain slopes, dark with evergreen TO-
liage, and, nearer Stephens Island, but
slightly elevated. and covered with inter-
mingling groves and lawns. BY the aid
o fan opera glass We could see white
capped waves rolling in the distance.
An elevation. called Elephants Back,
west of our position, doubtless affords a
grander view of the lake and high peaks
to the east and southeast than we wit
messed. Some Of our party commenced
angling for abe big trout, wondering if
the reports of vermicular infection by
ichthyOlogists were true. 1t took but a
few minutes to verify their statements.
Below the Falls, however, the fish are
healthy.
The high enconiums written byDr. Hay
den in the United States Geological Re
port for 1871, on this beautiful lake, ele-
waited 7,427 feet above the sea, have been
often quoted; and since our enthusiasm
did not reach its climax here, we pass
back to notice a few of the
STRANGE GHT
Near our camp below. Nearest was a
mud geyser thirty feet in diameter. A
casual observer might mistake it for a
quiet pool of thin mud. Hearing a sue
cession of dull reports, accompanied by
the Kissing of steam, which now arose in
dense, black clouds, we hurried forth to
find this gcyser heaving up its muddy
contents 20 to 30 feet. When it ceased
this action. twenty minutes after, the
turbid liquid sank until its basin was
almost empty. Only a few rods distant,
in Tie side of steep embankment, was
GIANTS CALDRON,
The most Internal pit | ever peeped into.
Its mouth is forty feet across, tapering |
down to twenty feet at the bottom, where, |
at the depth of fifty feet, rushes darby a
turbulent r.ver, more fearful, because
more real, than the Stygian shades of the
ancients. From this seething abyss is
sues dense clouds of steam visible
for many miles. All around it are evil
dcnces of late elections of mud; trees
thirty feet high being covered with it.
The eruptions are probably caused by
the caving Of the ad jaccnt sides, which
must occasionally occur.
Two hundred yards beyond this is a
cavern in !, hillside with an opening suffi-
cicntly large for Il small person to walk
in without STOPPING; but. So far as heard
from, visitors have preferred to stay out
side. The angry dash Of rock-bound
waves roar within, while a continual
Earring report, similar to that made by a
powerful engine and heavy machinery, is
heard accompanied j.; a rush of scalding
hot steam from the portals. 4 small
stream Of perfectly clear water flows from
this dismal, subterranean cell.
SULPHUR MOUNTAIN.
Conspicuous on account OF its white and
yellow e%scarpments, is situated two miles
below. Seven Hills" and Crater
Hills are other names given to the same
locality. Many of our party following
closely the river, passed this remarkable
group of alum aud sulphur hot springs
some clear, some turbid, some thick as
boiling MUSLIN fact, most of the kinds
already described, with variations in
size, temperature and consistency innu-
merab!e. One ofthc tributaries of Alum
Greek has its source in this group. See
ing We had passed, d. p. Newcomer, Il.
+. Frazier, and myselfrode back, finding
ample reward for the delay it cost. One
sulphur spring here is especially note
worthy. Situated at the foot ofthe hill,
it occupies u circular area fully twenty
five feet across, and is partly covered
with Il thin rim which extends over the
water like a margin of ice around u pond.
1t constantly boils with violent agitation,
lifting the water several feet. The rim
and adjacent formations are strikinely
beautiful, surprising ANYTHING seen in
the Geyser Basin. The finest porcelain
is not more delicate .han the fanciful en-
broiivIy here displayed, glistening in
hues of pellow, pink and purple. We
scrapcd from the scalding hot water a
few round, smooth pebbles, which, on
bnino broken, showed concentric LAYERS