The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-10-06
THE WONDERLAND.
Sight Seeing In the Great Ma
tIOnai Park.
Henry's Lake and It's Beautiful
Surroundings.
The 9eysers and their Different
ristics.
Etc. Etc. Etc.

Character istics.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Special Correspondence of the MINER.
GLENDALE, Oct. 5. 1883.
LAS well cut of the world as out of
fashion," So we thought and, as
everybody and the President went to
the Park, or, in more common par
lance, the Geysers, we went too.
With a view to economy aud indie
pendence, we started with our own
horses and vehicle and riding pony.
There were eight in our party, two
gentlemen, two ladies, three children
and Prince, who is really a prince
among dogs. We were favored with
pleasant weather and greatly enjoyed
the variety of scenery through which
We passed.
Fertile valleys with we'll cultivated
ranches; plains and getty sloping
hills, whose great herds of cattle and
horses shared the dominions of the
elk and antelope; wild, rugged
mountains with snow filled gulches
in shady hooks; sparkling, dancing
brooks rushing on to swell the rivers
that flow to the great oceans, and
fragrant pine forests, with pretty
park-like openings to add beauty to
the pictures we have hung in memo
RVS hail."
With the exception of a few mis-
haps, such as usually befal) an ex-
tended picnic. We enjoyed our trip
extremely. The first point Of especial
interest to Park pilgrims, is Henry's
Lake, within a day and a half drive
of the Park. 1t is within the limits
of Idaho, and at the summit of the
Rocky range, with high mountains
all around it. The lake is said to be
five miles long and one mile wide.
The surface has an exceedingly
placid and mirror-like appearance
the surrounding pine trees and
mountains being faithfully reflected
in its waters. 1t is not deep and the
bottom for the most part is covered
with a growth of water-moss. Sew
eral islands add to the picturesque
ness of the scene, and the graceful
swans gliding across the water in
pairs, are, undeniably objects of
beauty. Hunters are wantonly de-
streying these beautiful creatures. Is
there no law to prevent it? The sal
mon trout from this lake are very
fine, but seldom taken with hook and
line. Most of the fish are caught at
night, in, OF from a boat-they are
speared by torchlight.
Part of the drive from Henry's Lake
to the Park is over tie most perfect
road I ever saw. Ten miles of
smooth, hard beach like drive, wind
ing through a pine forest which was
in itself a lovely park. This drive is
named Madison Terrace. I shall al
ways think Is was designed to COM
pensate for the difficulties of the "big
hill" which is just at the entrance to
the wonderland.
As we approached the lower basin we
for evidences of the wonders
we had come to see. We saw a flat
meadow, skirted by pine groves, with
columns of steam visible above
the tree tops. The Fire Hole river
flows through the basin and in spots
the ground is covered with alkali.
The Marshall House. a hotel near
the entrance road, is a neat Jog house
whose merits we did not test.
1 have not space to describe each
day, but will briefly mention the
sights. We first drove to
group of hot springs in Geyser
These springs are all
similar-as people are similar-alike
different characteristics, but differ
ing i'll many ways not easily de-
They are circular in shape
and of varying sizes, from the dimen-
'ions of a WATERFALL to the size of
lakes. The particular
group, however, were nearly the
same size and shape, some with u
dome like formation of white silicious
The waters, hot and boil
ing, are clear as cry. tai, but the most
beautiful colors, usually green and
purple, are seen in the sunlight play
ing on the surface. Wherever the
waters overflow the rim the deposit
brilliantly colored, rose, carmine.
green and yellow. The interior of
the springs are usually pure white,
often ear-shaped, but ornamented
beautifully; and although it is an old
worn comparison, it is true, one is
reminded of carved fairy grottos. The
Queens Laundry is.in the Meadows.
is a group of springs with
temperature, from comforta-
ole bath water to boiling hot.
Leaving the Meadows we cross the
Fire Hole three times and drive to-
ward the Upper Basin, where the
arge geysers are all located. We
in the Middle Basin to see
he boiling Chalk Vat or Paint Pots.
Here pure white mud boils up on
,ne side of the vat and red and rose
pink on the opposite side, while still
mother side may he found variegated
,ha k. W. took the warm sticky !
~ stance and moulded it to bring
nome. Some little bars smoothly