Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1876-08-15

ascent. up. up, up lOt aOute SSii 800. :,
ovpr i narrow but well-beaten trail
lover iuts and crags Of hinge granite
lboulders, some piled upon each othel
lin weired confusion, sometimes on tht
| edre of the mountain, where, on The
upper side are heaped gigantic monu
ments Of granite, and on the lower {
perpendicular descent hundreds OF fee
below. a terrible yawning abyss
Packers are compelled to use the ut
most precautien in crossing this crag
gy and precipitous mountain, for ont
misstep would land them into eternity
-Four miles from Lightning creek ano
about one hundred feet down from the
trail. on the mountain, is a favor;te
camping place for packers, called "The
Springs Here we refreshed our
selves with cool drink from this de-
licious, but isolated spring, for we
have now a steady ascent for ten
miles to the summit of Lightning
Mountain, and we all thought 1t acos
lightning to reach it. From the sum
nit we descend four miles into Onion
valley, having travelled fourteen miles
without water. Here we found a
beautiful stretch of land Astounding
with innumerable streams, cool, clear
and sparkling The trees are princi-
pally black pines, tall, slender and
stately. The grass grows to grand
height in this canyon valley. Finding
a pleasant shady place at the edge of
a brook, we tethered our animals, who
seemed to enjoy with keen relish the
fine grass, we spread our lunch which
soon began to disappear, for our appe-
titles were sharpened from our tramp
over the mountain. Again we start,
all feeling much refreshed after our
lunch and rest, we gained the upper
end of this valley, where we passed
a party of Indians from the Weiser,
having large band of horses tied to-
gether in a group, around which was
a great smoke to protect them from
the large flies, which are very trouble
some to animals here. The Indians
were engaged in drying sarvis berries
and replenishing their qnivers by
arrows. We afterwards
learned that they were en- route to
Salmon River. We now ascend Trail
creek divide, also a rugged and steep
and go down into Trail
creek; our route now lies throu.h a
Low, billy country, full of vast forests
If tall pines as thick and close as the
hair on the back of dog. Many are
wing Oh the ground, others leaning
aga nst each other, some forming
great arches; we are now in sight Of
Deadwood valley, having travelled
thirty miles from the head of Garden
valley, as you enter this beautiful lit
lie valley, feeling of regret comes
over you that such a fine stretch of
and should lie idle and uncultivated. |
We next ford Deadwood river, which
$ a branch of the south fork of the
oayctte. We follow up the valley,
eaching the dilapidated and deserted
own of Deadwood. The town takes
is name from the quantity of trees
which the elements have stripped of
heir foliage and left to perish, and
bloom no more. The town is situated
fifty miles from PIacerville in north
direction and about 1000
eet higher than Boise Basin In the
'ear 1868 this was q lively camp.
There were two stores, dairy, butcher
hop, blacksmith shop, restaurant, sa
oons, &c. Many rich placer claims
we're struck and worked. The Loon
Creek excitement breaking out short
v after, everybody left for that place.
The trail over which we have passed
5 an old Indian trail, running on
Trough to Stanley Basin, Loon Greek
nd through to Montana. Arriving
It this deserted town, we gave a loud
bout, which was answered by two
lack dogs, bounding along the trail
rom the opposite direction. Follow
ng the trail we came in sight of
abin, from the chimney of which
loud of smoke arose. Here we halt
d and found, to our dalight, some old
riends, 7. g. Underwood and Mitch
II Bono, and the proprietors and old
st settlers here, Messrs Cooke &
Wise. These gentlemen own the
most valuable mining property that is