The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-31
daestern 0aonders.
PIXIES PEAK.

PIXIES PEAK.
A correspondent of the Nep York Tif-
Juue writes to that journal from Colorado
Springs, June IL, describing the grandeur
and sublmity Of the scene from Pixies
Peake in Colorado, and detailing his ex-
perience in making the dangerous and
difficult ascent;
Pixies Peak viewed from distance is
satisfactory, but closer acquaintanceship
with II is Disappointment If ever again
nv face is turned toward the Rocky Noun
tains shall be content to admire the grand
outline of this famous Peak from the car
windows without single wish to scale its
summit. Seen from distance of from 80
10 200 miles, Pixies Peak is the most reg
ular and imposing mountain Of the Rocky
Mountain range. Its sides are regular, its
angles uniform; it towers high above its
fellows, the clouds play about its crest;
and its coat, covering it from head to foot,
Is Of the whitest snow It's companions
are common looking herd; they are ir-
regular, their peaks are round and not well
defined; the snow on them lies in blotches,
and their surface is brown aud dingy.
From Colorado Springs, distant from the
summit, according to the guide-book, II
miles, the Peak looks commonplace. 1t
has lost its fair proportions, and its defects
seem monstrous. II is no longer covered
with boundless sheet Of snow, more than
half Of its surface is bare and ugly, its
gigantic symmetry is broken and disfgured,
and dozen peaks, bare Of snow though
they may be, are more regular In their
outline, more beautiful to behold aud ap-
parently of greater hight. There is moth
ing harder to estimate than distance. The
regular mountains, viewed from this place,
appear to be no nearer than Pixies Peak,
and yet they are merely foot hills or in
ferior ranges at angles with the main land
scape. It makes great difference which
side of Pixies Peak is seen. On the cold
side the snow is unbrokeu, but on the
warm or south side the snow melts sooner,
and during Summer lies only in drifts
along the sides. 1t is yet too early In the
season to make the ascent with any degree
of pleasure, If, indeed, it can ever be made
with any emotion Of satisfaction. My
time was limited, and / had either to make
the ascent early in the season or abandon
it altogether. Two or three persons only
had been to the summit this season, and
their experience had been most disastrous
and unhappy. After much trouble aud
considerable delay our party was made up.
There was much hesitation, good deal
Of banteriug, some backing out, a case or
two Of sickness s--and there were other ex-
cuses not necessary to mention. Our
party mustered seven, but when the word
was given to start there were only FIVE
persons beside the guide. It was rather
an eccentric party. There was a retired
doctor, old in years, young in spirit, digni-
fed in manner, and clerical in dress. 1t
was remarked by the guide that the doc
tors silk hat was the first ever seen on the
Peak. The doctor wore his body coat
made Of broadcloth and his pantaloons Of
the same materinl. There was lawyer
from Cleveland, whose worldly experience
was somewhat limited. He grumbled a
good deal about his horse, for which he
had paid an extra price. He was, not
withstanding, the most popular man save
one In the party. Then there was a
druggist from Maine, who had little Of
worldly wisdom but wealth Of patience.
He sat astride horse for the first time in
live years. As he had never been to the
Peak he wns not expected to know the
sort Of clothes to wear. So he shivered
In a nice looking suit of navy flannel, un-
lined. The fourth person Of the party
Brooklyn boy, whose lungs we're source
of anxiety to his friends. He had spent
three months in Colorado, owned bis own
horse, and although young and delicate he
had probably more experience and was
better able to stand the hardship than any
ofus. The guide was the sheet-anchor Of
our hope and faith. He accepted the SER
vices as friendly act. He furnished his
own horse, paid his own bills, and went
through a world of suffering, refusing
compensation.
We started at about ! p m. The day
was a very hot one and the Maine man
had the advantage in regard to clothes,
although snow iu the mountains was seen
on every hand. Half an hours ride took
US into Bear Greek canon. Soon after
ward We began the ascent Of the noun
tains. 0verrocks, through gulches, across
streams along preeipitous trails we made
our way, amid scenery the most grand and
beautiful that the mountains can afford
Keeping along beside the creek, which was
river Of spray and foam, We slowly made
our way II seemed impossible that the
whole distance should be 50 crooked and
so nrecinifnns Thirteen milea ahead We