The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-08-02
SUMMER LANDS.
ROADSIDE NOTES.
by THE JUNIOR.

On Friday morning Ju!y pa al O'Clock
we started, in company with Mr. and Mrs
Robson. of Cleveland, Ohio, ana }, +, Waters
and j. W Paul. of independence, kansas, ioi
the summit OF Pixies Peak The morning was
bright and very clear, and the snowcad sum
nit was in plain sight, apparently three %
four miles distant We We're elegantly mount
Ell on Pixies Peak horses, which were well
enough for climbing the steep grades, but iol
level ground were not much of success. Inc
first object of interest after entering Paxton
Glen was the toll man who demanded Sl.5O
each for going TO the summit and return. Inc
trail for three miles passes up PaXton's Canon
and is very steep in places and quite narrow
| being cut in the side Of the mountain from lOO
TO 300 feet above the stream, which is roaring
and fsaming below us The scenery IN this
being thckly covered with pines, and rocks
rising above us 800 to 600 feet high. There
are also numbers of beautiful falls and torma-
tons of the rocks. among them the beautiful
the falls of that name made famous by Long.
fellow; the Hidden Falls, 30 feet under the
ground Sheltered Fall, Naraid's Grotlo
Sphyx's Cave, &c. After leaving the Glen we
pass over plateau of nearly two miles, with
but slight elevation, covered with timber and
Iunderbrush, mostly aspen or poplar, when We
reach the Lake House, a small hotel, built on
the banks of lake, covering II acres and
about 80 feet deep. This lake is at IN altitude
of 10 800 feet and Is about five miles from
Manitou. After stopping few minutes We
start on, the trail now being very steep and
passing through fallen timber, and in about
two miles reach the timber line at an altitude
of about 10000 feet The air begins TO be cool,
although blowing from the SOUTH and wooden
clothing is very comfortable. For about two
miles after passing the timber line the ascent
Is gradual, the ground is covered with green
sward, and we here find some of the most deli
cate flowers we have ever seen, growing beside
the snow About 800 feet from the summit
we reach the crater, and from here have Il
magnificent view over the plain to the south,
and, standing on the snow, look over a precI-
pice of $500 feet About half an hour of steep
climbing, through the snow and over large
stones and We reach the summit, 1886 feet
above the level Of the sea and S,2l2 feet above
ManitOn. On the summit is plateau Of IL
acres, but it is not a good place Tor garden,
at It is composed OF large stones; but here too
beside the snow, and with their roots apparent
ly in the rocks, are some Of the most delicate
and finely colOred flowers we have ever seen.
The thermometer here is 49, with n keen wind
blowing, and quite furry of snow is falling,
while below u.s. in the direction Of the plain,
heF ahf Ma hSssf 6a 6ander hreds
of feet below US. The sight from here is grand,
for, with the exception of the shower towards
the plain the air is clear and we can see Den
yer, about ninety miles distant; Longs Peak,
Grays Peak, the Snowy Range, and a great
number OF peaks and ranges to the west and
southwest. We did not exercise great deal
IN Jumping over the stones, as a very little eX
ertlon would make our hearts beat tattoo
and in ordinary talk we had to gasp for breath
We found the signal station in charge of
Yves Blake, who had been stationed here since
1877, remaining here half of the time, being
relieved every six weeks The station" is a
solid stone house. the walls being so thick, and
Of such heavy stone, that the hard winds can
not blow ii off of the summit. The mercury |
in the winter falls az low AS $50 below zero. A |
IF the infant child of Sergt O'Keeie who was
destroyed by mountain rats
After remaining on the peak" about an
hour, and getting thoroughly chilled, we com
menced the descent For couple Of miles
his was much harder than gong up the de-
scent being very steep and rough, and the par.
" being very cold, but when we reached the
timber line the sun was shining warm on US
md we began to feel very comfortable, and on
reaching the Lake House, we made long
halt, and had a good rest,
DR. Huntington, who keeps the Lake House,
says the pilgrims" To the summit have in
creased very much tins year, 20 having gone
up in May about 200 in June, and over $50 up
TO the 10th of July After our rest we again
started on our return, and passed down RuX.
tons canon, about sunset, reaching Manitou
about dark. The party were all very tired, hav-
ing made ride of about 2S miles, up and
down very steep grade, but seemed TO be of
the opinion that they were well paid
TIE MI MADE HAD