The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1883-03-01
occasion was one long to be remem-
bered, both from the event which
it celebrated and from the zeal and
carnestncss OF the participators.
THE YELLOWSTONE VALLEY
BY A. II. HERSEY.
THE CLARK's FORK MINES,

In the melting SHOWS and ur
numbered springs of the majesti
mountain region, whose superna
heights, yelled in perpetual cloud
and bound by eternal frosts are tn
grand towers surmounting the grea
reservoir of the continent, whicl
gives birth to its three mightics
rivers, the Yellowstone takes it.
source. For a distance of one hun
dred miles this great river flow.
through region unequalled upo1
the surface of the globe in its wilt
grandeur and beauty of its scenery
and the wierd attractions of it's an
omalous physical characteristics
Commencing at its outset we find a
lake, comprising an area of three
hundred miles square, nearly as
large as St. Clair, and situated at an
altitude of 5000 feet above the level
of the sea-a height which may,
perhaps, be more fully comprehend
cd when we reflect that bird leay-
ing its shores and continuing across
the continent at that exact distance
from the ocean, would soar far above
the snow-capped summit of Mt.
Washington, and from some of the
peaks of the majestic CGur-d'Alene
ranges would be quite invisible.
This lake is surrounded by rugged
mountains, the dark verdure of
whose evergreen forests and the
sombre coloring of whose naked
brown slopes delightfully."- contrast
with the deep blue of its waters.
Upon its beach layers of many
hued water-worn pebbles, and long
stretches of silvery sand, alternate
masses of mineral accretions depos-
tied by subsiding springs and ex-
tinct gcysers which here and there
cncroach upon its margins. Pools
of boiling water bubble up from its
shores, or sometimes through up
heavals Of mineral deposit il the
midst Of its frigid bosom, sc that
the fisherman angling upon its
banks, may cast the captured trout
into one OF these natural cauldrons
Of boiling water, and cook it with
out the necessity of removing it
from the hook. Trout are playing
in countless numbers about within
its clear, still depths, and upon its
tranquil surface myriad waterfowl,
of every kind known to northern
attitudes, have their summer hahi-
ats. Two hours ride from the lake
S the head of the grand canyon Of
he Yellowstone and the conmence-
nent OF the great falls. III the first
he river plunges down in q foaming
turbulent cascade one hundred and
itty feet; in the second it takes a
giant leap of three hundred and
ninety feet. 1t is impossible for
he imagination to picture the sol
emn beauty and slblimity of this
mighty scene. On either side stu
oendous walls descend in n sheer
leclivity Of two thousand feet to
he bed of the narrow, solitary
liver, which flows dark and voice
ess in the dismal shadows of the
ray rocks which i1nprison it.
Scarcely two hundred yards scpar-
te the walls Of this immense chasm.
Following the river upon its
curse twenty-five miles, We reach
Amethyst mountains, fairy land
# natural marvels, whose wonder
ul petrifactions of animal and We
atable forms, and infinite variety
f crystals of rare lustre and beauty,
'ield not only wonder and delight
0 the ordinary student Of nature,
nut afford unrivalled opportunities
OF scientific geological research
nd study. On one peak of this
hahn, at the very verge Of an mac
essible cliff of sandstone, stands
he pctrified forest-a collection of
7hat were once grand old monarchs
f the woods-thc worn and rug
ed trunks and withercd branches
ow turned to solid stone. The
]ains at the foot of these noun
aims, over which the trail passes, is
otted with a great number of pref {
y little lakes, and these are con- .
tantly filled with thousands Of
quatlc birds Of every kind. /
Lying to the west Of this region
ut a few miles, are the geyser ,
mystic land Of natural {
larvels which has not its parallel
a the known world. Of its wierd
nd wondrous attractions nothing
eed now be said, as the public has