Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-21

apparently stationary for about three
minutes. The position and direction OF
the sun and wind vary the appearance
of this geyser, which is one of the most
popular in the Park because of the
remarkable regularity with which its
eruptions occur, and the excellent
opportunities afforded for observation.
The Beehive, Giantess, Sponge, Lion,
Lioness and Cubs, Sawmill, Grand and
Turban, Giant, Oblong, Grotto, Splen-
did, Riverside, Fan and Mortar, and
Castle are geysers of remarkable
beauty about which each one would
furnish matter Of interest from which
to publish a book To see them is to
believe their history This upper
geyser basin is rich with points of
interest where the tourist might spend
a month with great profit and pleasure.
Sunday evening we returned to the
Upper Geyser Basin and there spent
the night. Monday morning at 7:30 we
continued our journey to the
UREAT FALLS AND GRAND CANYON OF THE
YELLOWSTONE
We rode all the forenoon through
beautiful scenery and the highest point
reached during the forenoon was when
on top of Mary's Mountain said to be
$4,000 feet above sea level Here
several of the party were troubled with
nose bleeding. Just beyond this
mountain we took dinner in tents with
one of the greatest takers and iolliest
lrishmen it has ever been our pleasure
to meet, and let me say it was the best
meal in the Park. And we will say
further in his honor, that upon his tent
We saw the first and only American flag
floating in the breeze. We will never
forget our dinner with Clara" the iollv
lrishman.
About four O'Clock p m. we reached
the Grand Canyon hotel after ride of
Al miles that day. This is the second
largest hotel in the park. We immedi-
ately leave the hotel to see the Grand
Canyon. To give the reader a vague
idea of the grandeur of this place we
quote from the guide book, as follows:
CA short distance beyond Cascade
Greek the road passes a point from
which the first glimpse of the canyon is
obtained. Inspiration Point may be
seen some three miles away. The eye
follows the rivers course to the brink
of the Great Falls, where it suddenly
disappears, to be seen again some
distance below, meandering, like a
slender ribbon Of silver, between
4rowning canyon walls. A sign board
points out the trail to the brink below
following which, on foot, the visitor
soon stands upon a natural platform Of
rock upon the very edge Of the canyon,
overlooking the awful plunge of seeth-
ing waters. At this point the river,
though some 250 feet in width short
distance above, narroWs to just "A feet,
and while the view is grand almost
beyond expression, it is not the best to
be obtained of the falls, Point lookout
and Red Rock being regarded the best
points from which to see them; how
ever, probably no better view, certainly
none more comprehensive, of the
canyon is obtainable than that to be
had from the platform overlooking the
brink Of the falls. Gazing down the
canyon, Point Lookout is seen rising
from ], 200 to [, 800 feet above the river.
Almost directly opposite, on the right
hand side of the canyon, is Artists
Point, so called from being the position
selected by Mr.. Thomas Moran from
which to paint his celebrated picture,
which may be seen hanging in the
nations capitol at Washington.
Inspiration Point, three miles below,
is hidden from view by an intervening
bend, but a vast stretch of rugged
canyon wall may be seen on either
hand, The only possible footing to be
found in the canyon below the falls, and
from which the latter may be clearly
seen. is on the right, Immediately at
the foot of the falls. This point has
been reached by but few, and then
only by the aid of 500 feet of rope, by
which the adventurous explorer is
assisted IN descending and ascending
the almost perpendicular cliffs. To
reach the south and east side of the
canyon it is necessary to cross the river
,hnuh tho IT,O,>nr E7o1lr ioJ /,
readily and safely accomplished by
boat, and ere long will be made
possible by means of foot-bridge to be
constructed at their brink The descent
of the Grand Canyon win undoubtedly
be made possible at no very distant day.
by means of an elevator.
Leaving the brink of the Lower Falls.
the trail is assembled back up the
canyons side, past the sign-board to its
top, from which point. directly above
the verge Of the Lower Falls, the river
and Upper Falls come prominently into
view, and as one passes along the
dizzy edge of the canyon toward
point Lookout, glimpses are caught
through the timber of the Great Falls q
full 900 feet below. Point Lookout is,
by trail, about 900 feet below the falls,
and commands altogether the best
combined view of the Great Falls and
Canyon, though Red Rock, just below,
and to which perfectly safe trail leads
down the ravine under Point Lookout.
ahords the best view Of the falls them
selves possible for tourists to obtain.
At this hotel we spent the night and