Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-16
MOUNTAIN RESORTS.
wilson's Peak and the San Gabriel
Canon.

been visited by as large number o.
people as Wilson's Peak and the Sar
Gabriel Canon; and many who do moi
mind the fatigue incident to the long
climb have included both these popular
resorts in their trip by ascending the
trail to the peak, crossing over the
range into Bear Canon, and thence out
at the San Gabriel.
The writer WAS one of party who,
with such trip in contemplation, left
the Angelic City not many weeks since,
and after delightful ride through the
beautiful orange groves of Alhambra,
San Gabriel and Sierra Madre, was duly
deposited at the foot of the trail, near
the home of Mr.. N. @. Carter. Here
the patient and often abused "burro" is
brought into requisition, and the ascent
of the trail is soon begun.
1t was some fifteen years since that the
Hon. B. D. Wilson, pioneer of the val
ley and founder of the beautiful town OF
Alhambra, built this trail with view OF
gaining access to the fields of timber
which were supposed to lie on the
northern slope of the mountain. This
idea was, however, finally abandoned,
owing to the great labor required in the
transportation of the timber, and the
trail consequently fell out of repair, being
hardly ever travelled save by an occa-
Hional tourist or hunter until, the location
of the temporary observatory on the
summit awakened interest anew, and
added impetus to the travel.
The trail has at considerable expense
lively good condition, the dangerous
nj hou oh hxy ha
widening of the track, and in many
new trail has been cut.
For the first few miles the ascent is
quite gradual, but soon becomes sleeper
and sleeper until the enduring burro
manifests signs of distress, and frequent
stops are made to allow the animal a
chance to regain his breath.
On the left, the pine covered and rocky
summit towers far above in the misty
distance. While on the other side, one
may gaze down into a caflon of almost
incalculable depth, from which the roar
OF water scarcely rises above the MUIR
muring of the pines moved by the gentle
summer breeze. The utter absence Of
animal life is also singularly striking, as
no sound breaks the stiffness of the
mountain air save that of the elements,
and perhaps the chirp of a solitary bird
from the pines which overhang the path.
The sameness of the scenery, however
grand, becomes almost monotonous as
mile after mile is passed, until the well
come sound of voices is heard, which
warn the traveller that the summit is
near, and after one more vigorous climb
the "burros" stand painting before Steil's
camp. Peter Steil and Mr.. Cheeny,
whose camp is situated farther in the
rear, have fitted up comfortable tents,
and provide for the temporal wants of
the sojourner in home-like style, and
at most reasonable consideration.
The temporary observatory in charge
OF Messrs. Ring and Black is located
about quarter of mile beyond Mr..
Steil's on one of the many peaks which
rise to varied heights on all sides. The
existence of these numerous peaks gives
rise to much disputation as to which one
the name of Wilson originally applied,
and many theories are advanced accord.
ingly. The statement of an old noun
taineer who assisted in the construction
of the trail, that that honor belongs to
the one which, from the valley below,
appears to be the most elevated, is
generally conceded as authority. From
this elevation an unobstructed view of
the surrounding country can be OBJ
tanned. Like vast panorama the valley
spreads itself before the eye, villages
and towns intermingled with green
orchards, like specks appear, and the
hills as mere burrows upon the bosom OF
Mother Earth. While in the far-distant
horizon a faint blue line marks the
boundaries of the mighty Pacific, and
sight is lost in the distance. In the
early morning, when the valley is
wrapped in fog, the effect is almost in.
describable. The sunrise, as viewed
from this elevation, is also of wondIous
beauty. After visiting the many places
of interest at and around the peak, the
trail is again taken and the descent on
the opposite side of the range COM
mences. The time required for the
descent into Bear Caf1on is about two
hours. On this trail the "Devil's Slide"
is considered one of the most dangerous
places, and in the time gone by not in
frequently an overloaded burro was pre-
cipitated down the slide by the giving
way of the treacherous sand. If care is
exercised there is now little danger of
such an occurrence,
Bear canon, owing to the difficulty OF
ACCESS, mas as YET De6n DuI liItlo IIe-
quented and one may journey its entire
length of fifteen miles without meeting a
human being. The stream here abounds
with trout of immense size, and the foot
prints of bears and deer are also numer.
GUS though the animals are seldom seen.
Sixteen miles below Wilson's Peak
Bear canon joins the west fork of the San
Gabriel, and after another sixteen miles
the junction of the,two main caflons, the
north and west forks, is reached. Here
the stream formed by the unison of the
waters of the two caflons, becomes q
rushing torrent which contributes q
never.iailing supply of water to the
towns of Azusa, Duarte, Glendora and
Vineland.
Four miles below are located the ex.
tensive works of the Victoria Mining
Company, and from here until the canon
enlarges at Azusa numerous placer
claims dot the rugged sides of the noun
taiDs, and if dependence can be PLACED
upon the prophetic utterances of the min
ing fraternity the San Gabriel cafion may
yet become second Ell Dorado.
East San Gabriel.
A parochial school, they cay, is shortl,
to be started at San Gabriel. 1t is alst
rumored that the elegant and beautiful,
located East San Gabriel Hotel is shortl,