The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-06-03
rns ROCKIES IN EARLY srnrvo.
visiaiss Tswa site ~ aa~sw skses- New the
Owner was welcsuaed.

MEDICINE Bow RANGE, Rocky Mountains,
May 2S.-Last winter was unusually severe in
the Rocky Mountains. When I left the
Medicine Bow Range in late October there
was foot OF snow on the ground. and the
mercury recorded on that bright. bracing
morning l6' below zero. The weather was cold.
but not stormy until about tho first OF Jnnu-
AIRY. Then storm followed storm in quick sue
cession. The mountains were deserted by the
large game animals. One man only wintered
In the soltrdes Of the Medicine Bow highlands.
The birds. with the exception of the mountain
parrots. OF the jay family. migrated to the
| foot hills. Steadily the snow fell Many Of tho
| roofs OF the deserted houses were crushed In.
| Deeper and deeper grew the snow. thaw
occurred In February. and the enormous mass
| OF snow. lying over the entire range as white
blanket settled into n compact layer So solid
that heavy man could walk on IL without
brcaking through tho lee crust. March and
April were stormy months. and May has ire
trievably disgracod herself by her outrageous
flirting with winter. At least fifteen feet OF
snow fell in these highlands last winter
great forest Is sngulary destitute Of ami
nal life ut all seasons OF tho year: but during
the winter the only signs OF life in the Rocky
| Mountain forests are the tracks OF carnivorous
animals. the mountain parrots. an occasional
cock blue grouse. n hermit. the pine squirrels
| and the snowshoe rabbits
The snowshoc rabbit Is small animal that
has exceedingly large hind feet. the toes of
| which are covered with long, fine hair. This
| peculi lar fornatio enables tho creature to
travel ~ search of io9od, over the highest
| snow without sinking. The snowshoc rabbits
nrea little smaller than the cotton-tai rabbits
| OF the Eastern States. They are excellent cut
ing, after you have lived OH rusty bacon for a
| few weeks. know of no more deceptive tracks
| than these animals make. Judging from the
size. tho animal should weigh NJ least thirty
| glA 1,...
morning. after II light snow had fallen on the
compact snow hcncath. | was travelling down
OF u rabbit that was ~ large as u woman's out
| spread hand: had been out Of meat for two
TsfS When MY s ss", r r.t ek as ra 8
mist be a. large Us u ycariing colt, said TO
myself. Now for fresh meat, | left the
fallen tree. and there ended. slowly ~ Sid
around the tree, with cooked rife in hand.
satisfied that the rabbit had not left the pro-
tecting SHELTER Of ,h9 limbs OF the fallen pine.
SSnNIsy nstre saw tS hs nse Of s9 h
After The riie bali lad passed through there
ended my hunting snowshoe rabbits.
decided to enter ths highlands H.; il April and
and enters the wooded hills is II ranch. Tho
house is used by the miners as n stopping
host met me with words OF welcome. After
snpper r when th n pipes were go%ing he said
noaniaiin S We We, had f"o t., OF new sn2w last
instant. Then he said. inquiringy: Are e, you GU
not rather early in going in?,
Instantly saw that | was in trouble. Tho
aftcr-supper pipes faded from my face. A foot.
Of new snow meant hard. laborious snow
enry but that longcd to be in the highlands
That my sleep was disturbed with visions Of
tho tho town Of HIyaGinth (denssSly crowded. win
during the day were distracted That through
Siq Ff anTHs an sr hn, Of
was going in. no matter how deep or how soft
the snow was.
The trail from the ranch to the mines follows
canon for u couple Of miles. then leads W an
abrupt hogback. and then through the un-
hr9ken pine f"rtsi for nRs d miles, The ascent
was rising over the rugged Sheep Mountain
when we stepped on our long. narrow Norwe-
the snow is in perfect condti and your shoes
are properly. constructed. it is easier to snow
But when the snow is not in proper condition.
] know OF no more laborious work than travel
SHOES TEa tns sS SSd Sa Sar INV
weather cold If snowshoeinG is to DO enjoyed.
A Norwegian snow shoe is made out Of y pine
wide. The forward ends having been steamed
are curved upward rs are sled runners. The
ly gougcd out. max ing a wide. shallow groove.
with sharp edges. There is a stout strap across
in which the toe of the boot is inserted. A little
back Of the strap i h h Of leather fitting
from slipping backward on the shoe when it
IS icy. staff some six feet long is carried in
the hands. This is II brake and a rudder. The
be lifted. but dragged along BY tho toes OF the
foot. In going up hill the shoe is lifted slightly
snow. so as to prevent it slipping backward. In
going down hill the rider stands erect and
shoes are easy TO guide when one is familiar
with their use. The sharp edges of the grooves
catch on the snow as skates on ice. 1t occa-
sseabIe in going ' down Xiii. and there is
danger of striking tree and breaking
snow lies four or Ave feet deep through the
matter OF less account. The only thing to
spread your legs and fall backward. good
snowshoer instinctively protects his shoes and
his transit when he fails. When the snow is in
good condition there is no more eXhi!arating
sd s bpSss he Sood oMs reoY
There is little danger. just enough to spice
the sport You climb high hiIl slowly ana
grand. The trees seem to tear by you. The
wind whistles through your hair; You fairly
But suppose the snow is soft and sticky. All!
VEL, VEL s ;hy L AZ hone; It WINS sticky when en-.
packed solidly under each shoe. The weight
was enormous. Tho shoes could not be Slid
over the snow and the sliding motion changed
to the orthodox walking step. As each shoe
was wearily lifted. 1t had to he struck a sharp
blow with the staff to loosen the encumbering
snow. Tap. tap. tap. tap with the ciub-likc
stan at each step. The ascent OF hills was hard
work. the descent WINS laborlous. and on the
levels the snowShoeing was lieartbrcakinE.
There was no shouting, no sliding. no excite
ment.,, 1t was a solemn trip. was seven hours
IN walking eleven miles. a Assistance that should
heve been made In three. Never before have
been SO utterly exhausted, not even by u forced
march in the Army Of the Potomac. My cloth
ing WAS AS wet ms though had been in water.
was pale and trembling when l stepped from
my shoes into the front doorway OF my empty
log house.
On the trp up I saw no sign OF life excepting
tho tracks OF mountain lions. These animals
wander into the highlands from the foot hills.
They are cowardly brutes that never attack
men; Not q bird or II squirrel or a snowshoa
rabbit was to be seen. The silence OF death
reigned in the woods The town Of Hyacnth
seemed to be abandoned by all animal lifo l
staggered through my house and into the
kitchen. 4 huge mountain rat sat on the
much as to say, Got bnck, have you ? Glad 70
see you. will go tell my wife you are here"
Nmbly he clambered from log TO log and dis
appeared under the roof. After had built a
fire look Jed up, and there We're two rats peerinG
from under the roof ut mo. Their bright eyea
fairly sparkled. could almost hear them say,