Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-11
IN THE MOUNTAINS.
A Trip to the Summit of
Disappointment Peak.
ADJUSTMENTS AT THE CAMP
Holiday Life at Switzer's-A Journey
Through CanOns to Wilson's
Peak Late Visitors.

For those who have fondness for in
yigorating mountain air and those whose
appetites have grown dull and need to
be sharpened, there is no place like
Switzer's Camp. There is not an in
stance on record of one who visited
Switzer's and did not immediately feel
a fondness for the breakfast, lunch and
dinner table that was hard to resist
when the welcome sound of the dining
room bell was heard. Mrs. Thums, who
presides over this department, has a
knack of making. even the most COM
mon edibles taste like delicacies, and it
is to be regretted that in the City of Los
Angeles there is not one restaurant or
hotel of whose chef the same could be
said. This excellent home table is one
of the chief attractions of Switzer's, and
it is no wonder that the place has become
better known to Fasteners than tc
those residing closer at hand.
The camp itself is situated on the
banks of ripping mountain stream,
hemmed in on all sides by mountains
which extend upward from 5000 to 5000
feet. The stream, which flows through a
heavily wooded ravine, is not very high
at this time of the year, but in the winter
and spring it contains enough water to
make it at times dangerous to cross.
Even now it contains numerous trout,
and last week one weighing one and
three quarters pounds was caught. The
best fishing at this time Of the year is in
Little Bear creek, which empties into the
Arroyo, about mile below camp. In
this stream, not many hooks
have been cast and the trout
are unsuspicious. Between the camp
and Little Bear creek there are several
falls, one of them about fifty feet high
and the others from fifteen to thirty feet.
Near Emerald Fall is the Crock of Ages, +"
which rises about 200 feet perpendicu-
larly from the bed of the stream. To
those below, its white face seems to lean
forward, but gentleman who climed to
it's top the other day, dropped stone,
which landed not more than foot from
its base. Just below camp the stream
has eaten its way into solid rock, forming
q basin about 30x50 feet and ranging
from two to eight feet in depth. Here
the guests repair almost every day and
enjoy bath more refreshing than can
be obtained in the ocean. Everyone has
regretted that bathing suits were not
brought along, and those who visit
Switzer's in the future are advised to
provide themselves in the same manner
as if they were bound for the seashore.
Baths can be taken in water of all tenn.
peratures. In the morning it is quite
cold at noon, very pleasant; at o'clock
just right, and at dusk, refreshing. TIE
water for drinking purposes is obtained
FROM spring in small ravine few feet
away from the camp, and better water
was never enjoyed by thirsty man. 1t is
always ice-cold and clear as crystal. Such
water, if carried to Los Angeles in pipes,
would enhance the city's reputation q
thousand fold. Up in the cafion the trail
leads
TO DISAPPOINTMENT PEAK,
Strawberry Peak and to Wilson's Peak.
The visitor to Switzer's should endesvor
to visit Disappointment Peak. From
this mountain an unequalled view can
be obtained. Wilson's Peak is good
enough in its way, but the view from its
top cannst be compared with that OBJ.
tanned from disappointment. A few
days ago q party from the camp, con-
sistipg of Miss III. E. Click, Miss NJ. An
derson, Miss N. G. Vernon, Mrs. G. II.
Scarborough, Miss A. Scarborough, Miss
J. M. Washburn, Mrs. Thuma, Earl
Thuma, Frank L. Wsshburn, E. A
Cheever, Albert Biles, S. A. Kendall, L.
II. Washburn, P. W. Dooner and Mr..
Switzer climbed to the top of Disappoint-
ment and spent night in close COM
mune with nature. The top was reached
just before the sun disappeared beneath
the waters of the ocean, and the grand
ness of that sunset will nevor be for
gotten. San Pedro, Santa Monica, Long
Beach, Catalina and San Clemente were
all visible to the naked eye, and the
effect of the last rays Of the sun glisten-
ing on the water was too grand for per-
feet description. An hour later the elec.
trio lights of Los Angeles shone forth
like stars. Much closer, and it seemed
almost at the foot of the mountain, the
lights on the streets of Pasadena were
seen, and the brilliancy of the stars
above was remarkable. Sleep was not
to be thought of, and at Lucky Camp,
campfire was built among the rocks.
gathered and told stories, sang songs
f1uu bA lhlkCu uAIil ulluDlSuL, WueHJ Obt
after another dropped off into a sound
slumber. At half-past three O'Clock in
the merning the camp was again alive,
and few minutes later the rising of the
sun was witnessed from the top of the
peak. 1t was a remarkably clear morn.
ing, and, by the aid of glass, buildings
in Los Angeles could be distinguished
The vast array of mountain peaks on all
sides, and the valley of San Gabriel
stretching out below, made picture to
which no artist codld do full justice.
THE OPINION OF MANY.
A few days later the following entry
was made on the register of the camp !:
cat a meeting called by the guests at
the camp, P. w. Dooner was elected
Chairman and Mrs. Nellie G. Vernon
Secretary, and the following resolutions
were passed: The party being about to
separate, desires to express, first, our
heartfelt thanks and high appreciation
of the exceeding kindness and attention
given to each of us by Mr.. Switzer, Mr..
J. A. Thuma, his good wife and family,
and Mrs. Waterman, each and all of
whom have done all ih their power to
make our stay picnic each hour that
we have been here. Second. That the
addition of P. W. Dooner, of Los Ange-
les, to our number has increased the
pleasure of the company. Third. That
we have enjoyed the pleasures OF each
others company without word or action
from any to mar one OF the most pleas
ant vacations of our lives; that our trips