The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-09-21
GEYsERDOM.
Ihe Sights and scenes OF n wonder
land.
N rev Notes Concerning the National
Park E
NUMBERI I.

and spend annually $4,000, 200. They make
The journey often in search of health and
recreation, but more frequently to view the
scenic wonders, the. high mountains and
iakes' the falls and rivers and other phenom-
ena OF the old country. This being the case
no reason appears why any section of our own
country where similar attractions abound
should fail to draw sight-seers in equal num-
oers, or should excite their enthusiasm or
contribute to their pleasure and health in anv
less degree.
Untll within the past few years that section
OF country embracing the Yellowstone Park
was comparatively an unknown region, which
even the wild Indian, for reasons not then
understood, regarded as unfit for human hab-
ltation. Through trackless forests, over
snow-capped mountains, and across rushing
rivers, then unnamed and unknown, a few
adventurous explorers years ago forced their
way into the country, but the reports they
brought back were so strange and incredible
as to call forth only ridicule or sympathy
from their listeners, for the returning travel
ers were regarded either as ~falsifiers and SEN
sationalists or as unfortunate creatures who
had wandered off and become famished and
demented. But, with the lapse of time. the
new region became better known the re-
ports of the first explorers were confirmed
and new natural wonders were discovered
and accounts Of them published. Three
years ago the attention of the government was
directed to the Wonderland, as it is now APPLY
designated, and the expediency of withdraw
ing from entry that portion of the public do
main was debated, conceded and acted upon.
The result was that a section of Wyoming
and Montana, IS by Is miles in area, was set
aside Tor government use. Congressional ap-
preparations, in all amounting to $50, 900
(not $4,000, as enormously stately were
made for its improvement, and a superintend-
ent was appointed at an annual salary of 81
500, who, for the last three years, has been
going through the form of making roads and
preparing the park for the ingress of visitors.
The trip to the park is usually made with
out incident worthy of mention. 1t is distant
21O miles from Butte ria Virginia City. The
intervening country is fertile, we'll watered
and picturesque. Fine fishing can be had in
following up the Madison and at Henry's
lake. the source of Snake river, salmon trout
in weight are readily caught-if you know
how. The first impression on coming in
view of Henry lake is one of disappointment,
for instead of being deep, with pebbly bot
tom, and fringed with heavy woods, it is no
more than a huge marsh with a luxurious
growth of weeds sprouting up in all direc-
tions through the water, and with nothing TO
relieve the barren monotony of the shores.
Enthusiastic fishermen have been kno WIN to
wade half a mile into the water without get
ting wet to the waist, but of course they have
to be tall to do this. The vicinity of the lake
appears to be the headquarters of the bear
fraternity and all who thirst for the gore of
that affectionate beast can be accommodated
at almosta any hour of the day or night. A
bear has to be shot a good many times before
he finds it out. The Nimrod of the party
with which the writer journeyed, put fourteen
Winchester bullets into one of the animals
before it gave up the ghost, from which it
would appear that a mitrailleusn is the only
safe weapon with which to attack a bear.
From Henry lake the ride to the lower
consoling reflection to the tourist to know
that during the day he has passed over the
soil of three territories, i. e., from Montana
through the northern point of Idaho into
Wyoming. From Riverside station the road (?)
to the basin is the opposite of a model one.
Col. Norris was evidently determined that
visitors to the park should never have reason
to say they had not seen the whole country.
with which object in view he has constructed
his road as near as possible to the snow line.
Or it NAV be that the road was laid off on a
very hot day when the Colonel thought it
necessary to seek a cooler atmosphere-an
atmosphere where mercury would freeze.
Certain it is that the old gentleman never
built 4 rosd before and, if the Lord is merci-
full he never will again. A casual glance at
the hill over which the new road reaches
would lead anyone but Norris to suppose
that the only possible way to make the ascen-
sion is by balloon. Nevertheless, by "doubl-
ing teams, or by partially unloading pack
horses, the climb can be made, though why
the road could not haye been built around
the hill is difficult to understand.
1t is Il tremendous relief to the traveller to
arrive at the geyser basin, where, for a time
at least, hard work is to cease and pleasure
begin.
Coach Upset.