San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-10-30


Scene on the Summit of the Peak-AI
Impressive View.
In view of the opening Of the wagon roat
to the summit of Pixies Peak the following
account of a trip on foot may prove interest
ing:
To ascend Pixies Peak by the old trail from
Manitou is worthy the ambition Of any young
person. Thus nearly every day during the
summer months may be seen from twenty r.
thirty, some days more and some days less
vending their way in Indian file along the
narrow, zigzag path, up the long, steep
mountain side, some on horses or donkeys
and some on foot. While both old and young,
male and female, may be seen on the trail,
the majority are young or middle aged per-
sons, and the larger number are men or boys,
but it is quito common for young ladies to
make the journey, and not unfrequently on
foot Some make the ascent leisurely during
the day, arriving at the summit in the even
ing, and remain over night in order to enjoy
the sunrise.
1t is twelve miles from Manitou to the
summit, and the elevation to be overcome is
nearly 5000 feet, Manitou having an altitude
of over 5000 feet and the peak l4,2l6 This
is about 600 feet to the mile. The timber
line varies according to latitude and other
conditions. Here it is from 1850 to 1900
feet The same may be said Ill regard TO
snow remaining throughout the year. While
there may be no SNOW Oh the summit of the
peak, it is found many feet in depth in shell
tered places a lite lower down
THE T!.:EGa LINE
The timber line Is III many cases sharply
defined. The quaiing aspen is common to a
high altitude, but scrubby pines are the most
conspicuous timber seen at the upper edge of
the line, and beyond this not trace of any
kind of woody growth is to be sen. But
fine short grass, Where the surface is not
covered with rocks, is abundant, and there is
asproportion Of pretty little flowers in great
variety, but mostly without fragrance.
About the timber line an occasional mag
pie or snowbir.! may lie sen. also an eagle or
hawk. But the most remarkable inhabitant
is the North American pika, little gray
animal about tie size of u guinea pig and
without any tai. 1t is clasSed with the hareS,
but the points of resemblance are very few
and rather indistinct Its home is in among
the rocks between the timber line and per-
petual snow. This is the only species Of the
animal known In America. The are nurner-
Gus, and several may sometimes be seen at
once sitting on the rocks. Their cry reminds
one Of the prairie dog, but is less loud and
shriu. When approached they dart down
among the rocks and are safe.
The summit is by no means craCgy and in
accessible, but consists Of a4Qus seyenty-lre
acres of nearly level su.facc. being somewhat
l
fragments Of red granite ROCKS, over which |
persons can walk without difficulty, stepping
from one stone to another, although care Is |
required for safety. The signal service station |
is a low stone building on the southeastern |
edge of the summit, below which the noun |
tain is very steep, while on the north side it |
is precipitous and rocks started here 90 |
laundering down over snow banks for thou |
sands of feet until they are lost to both sight |
and hearing The west side is less steep, and |
here both the trail and carriage road find
their way by zigzags to the summit
AN IMPRESSIVE VIEW.
The view from the peak is grand and i'm
pressive, but you are too high up and too
far away to get the effects of landscape seen
cry that are to be met with in places of far
less elevation. Here one is impressed with |
the magnitude of the surroundings. To the
eastward the great plains extend without ap-
parent limit, while far away on the west
are piled up mountains upon mount
aims, with many snow capped peaks,
while to the north and south the dividing
line between the mountains and the plains |
can be traced to the limit of vision.
While the ascent of the peak is fatiguing
and is seldom made in less than six hours,
yet it is always interesting, as new scenes are
constantly opening up before us, and besides
nature has furnished an abundant supply of
ice water at frequent intervals. This water,
coming directly from the SHOW hanks. is as
pure as one could desire A small running
stream of this ice water was noticed within |
$50 yards of this signal service station. and |
where the surface rocks were removed :.
grading the new ro;.d Ire cCulI b. seen "a J..
quantities..
We hear much &'&ut persons s;.Errinc
from difficulty i'll ls,,....n:; ,.:a,! hlec&.ag al
nose while az such he, -, tMt others do not
any inconvenience The Pulse is
generally quicSened, howeve=.. and is u..:a..i.
about that of a fever lat,e:..:~ Trl s.,.,i
service here will be abanGm.u! il C.,o.,,,. IS
it is very exposing for tx zen, and t.. 49,.
vantage to De derived from i are NJ: c,a;,,.:-
Gent value TO warrant IT, roI;iuC..;u.
winters are long and severe Lls.u..... r. ~.
nc. were showed in for t..:cv :.o..:.::. ...n
snow being thirty feet dee. coz: .g.,:'.I ..-,
ing the station, but tbey =. .,.v~ iiy il SUI
plies for s4ch emergencies -Graygr World.
Stockholm anG 80 "orests.