Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-04
SWITZER'S TRAIL.
News From the Mountain
Resort.
THE ASCENT ON BURRO'S BACK.
difficulties Which Have Been over
stated-Some Mountain Seem
ery-Who are There.

warm, seek few days rest, fully one
half care more for the mountains thar
che seashore, and there is no doubt but
that the trails through the cafions would
be as crowded as is Santa Monica or Ions
Beach, were it not for the impression
that generally prevails that these trails
are places to be avoided by the timorous
The resorts in the foothills offer no at
fractions at this time of year, for as &
general rule the weather there is as sui
try and as snervating as in the cities. The
person looking for invigorating air mus
20 further into the mountains must, il
fact, cross the first range Of mountains tt
the north and seek some retreat where
the creeks run throughout the year, be-
meath the pines and other trees of large
growth. Owing to the comparative new
ness of Southern California, the noun.
tain summer resort is at present scarce
article, and those which are to be found
are generally of the most primitive ma
ture.
A short time ago the HERALD con-
tanned q description of Bear Valley, q
place which is growing into prominence
rs q resort. The outlay for the purpose
of making this resort comfortable for the
pleasure seeker has not as yet been very
great, but when it becomes known that
il can command steady stream o.
visitors, no doubt the accommodations
will be improved.
The San Gabriel caflon is most at
tractive place and has probably beer
visited by five or six hundred persons
this year, but all who went had to take
their tents with them and camp out. Sc
far no one has ventured to build hotel
at any point either on the north or west
fork. That Q good, comfortable hotel
would pay there, no one can doubt.
The next stream which issues
from the mountains is the Arroyo Seco,
which at present supplies Pasadena with
water, carried in pipes which extend sew
eral miles above the mouth OF the canon
which opens into the valley through
DEVILS Gate, half way between Pasa-
dena and La Canada. 1t was through
this gate that Q HERALD reporter passed
. few days ago on his way to Switzer's
camp. Some one not long ago reported
that the trail leading to Switzer's was
dangerous in places; that it WAS possible
to look downward more than q thousand
feet from the trail which winds around
the mountains, but that report was ex-
in a comfortable wagon through the
cafion for distance Of about three miles
alongside ripping brook which flows be-
meath the trees effectually prevent
the sun from making the heat unbeara-
BILE, that travellers bound for Switzer's
stop for lunch at the Hallway House, and
there for the first time are introduced to
the patient little donkey called the
ssburro." On the backs Of these sure
footed animals the most timid lady teels
herself as safe as if she we're on foot. A
two-mile ride on the burro takes the
traveller to the foot of the mountains,
through some of the prettiest places i'm
aginable. The stream is crossed in sixty.
two places before the mountains are
reached, and few days ago several par
ties had camped along its banks to enjoy
themselves in the shade. The climbing
then commences, and as the trail zigzags
upward the travellers wonder when they
are to reach those dangerous or dizzy
plac 81 they have heard so much about.
Hallway up rest for few moments is
taken, and through gap in the noun.
tains below glimpse of Pasadena and
Los Angeles can be obtained. Higher
and higher the burros climb along trail
which is narrow in no place, and whose
outward edge is lined with trees and
brush, which, in case of stumble or
fall, would effectually prevent plunge
down the mountain side. The Hogs
Back, an interesting place, next attracts
attention. 1t is narrow ridge high in
air. Below on either side can be seen
rocky cafions, the depth of which can
only be eguessed. Then ithe summit
is reached, and few minutes later
the American flag flying at the top of q
tall tree below announces the fact that
Switzer's is at hand. Ten minutes later
the burros quicken their steps and the
travellers are brought to a stand-still in
the center of a cluster of tents dignified
by the name of Switzer's Camp. The
tents are situated under grove of tall
trees, many of them pine, and a few feet
away flows running stream which
never fails. On all sides rise mountain
peaks many feet, and to these
have been given names, such as
Disappointment, Emma, Rose, Straw
berry and q dozen others. Those
who care for climb amuse themselves
by scaling the various peaks, and all
come back with loud words of praise for
the sights they Witnessed. Not long
since party of twelve or fourteen slept
on top Of Disappointment Peak and they
have not yet finished describing the
beauty of the sunset and the sunrise.
Mr.. Switzer has been in the cafion but
four years, but he has within that time
succeeded in establishing resort, which
we're it better known and its ease of
access understood, would never bs with
out as many guests as he could accom-
modate. Among those who have been
at Switzer's during the week ara Mrs.
Cornelia Scarborough, Miss Ada Scar
borough, Mrs. Margaret Anderson, Mrs.
Walter A. Vernon, Miss Margaret Glich
Miss Jessie Washburn, Mrs. j.. A. Han
chette, Mr.. Alber Biles, Mr.. Kendall,
Mr.. Il. Washburn and Mr.. Edward
Cheever, besides several children, fol
whom it is perfect paradise.
Overland Freight Shipments.
The following is the official statement
of Eastern overland freight shipments,
and the points from which merchandise
was forwarded during June, 1889,
via the Southern Pacific Company; also
fnfo1 ohipvn tO Tt1Iu 1900.