The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-08-13
A SCENE OF WONDROUS GRANDEUR.
The Fantastic Effects Produced by
the Erosion Of the
Waters.
A Field of Ample Study for the Ge0l-
Ogist AMI the Pleasure
Seeker.

tral avenue, by The union SCauOn, across
the splendid iron bridge, beneath which
the crystal waters of the Missouri rush,
then down the north bank Of the river
the route is interesting. As the road be-
gins to climb the bench land to North
Great Falls the view becomes wider and
more beautiful. When Summit avenue
is reached the stranger Involuntary
stops to take in the scene. The winding
river for three miles with its fringe of
green trees, the union of the Missouri
and Sun river and the entire city lie
spread before him in beautiful panor-
ANA. Lifting the eyes, the Diamond
range of mountains to the west, the Belt
mountains to the south and the Highwood
to the east lift their rugged shoulders,
clad in pine, and stand as guarding sen
tinels. To the west Table mountain, 20
miles away, lifts its square head, while
in the distant western horizon the snowy
peaks of the Rockies are plainly visible.
The peaks of the Bear Paw mountains
rise far to the east. The scene is en-
chanting and the spectator stands lost in
wonder.
But as he turns to pursue the journey
his mind is brought back to the practical
world. A drive of one mile along Sum
nit avenue, which is nicely graded and
overlooks the town of North Great Falls,
brings him on the road to the falls. Six
months ago Summit avenue was an open
prairie and the town of North Great Falls
consisted of two small paper-covered
shacks. Now there are more than 40
good buildings, including a 5000 hotel,
several stores and residences.
BROAD PLATEAU.
The drive for the next few miles IS a
typical bench land road, smooth and
hard, and the horses enjoy leaving the
miles behind them. On arriving near
the fall the road leaves the bench land
and passes down among the river dunes
or knobs to the brink of the canyon.
Here on a little plain is the home of Mr..
and Mrs. Fl. H. Fitch. Through their
dooryard and a gate the road leads to the
face of the cliff. A sharp turn to the
right here and the spectator stands on a
ledge overlooking the canyon, the park,
and the falls, a half mile up stream.
Along the face Of the cliff the road
passes by gradual descents to the park
below the falls. In some places a false
step would hurl the carriage down on the
rocks a hundred feet below. The ladies
of the party were pleased when these
places were passed.
The park extends from the foot of the
fall about half a mile, and includes about
40 acres. 1t comprises three small plat
eaus and the bottom land. The first
plateau resembles an island and rises
about 1870 yards below the fall. 1t is of a
sandstone formation and in its rocky
walls may be seen pieces of petrlfied
timber, logs and trees which were buried
in bygone ages and have since changed
to stone. With each piece of petritied
stone was found a small amount of coal
or charcoal. From this island-plateau
the river is seen above taking its plunge
of 90 feet. For two.thirds the width of
the river the fall is broken BY a series of
lodges which break the current into a
spray of snowy whiteness as it rushes
down to the deep pool below. On the
south side nc lodges interrupt the fall
and the river makes a majestic plunge of
90 feet throwing up a cloud of mist. The
rocky walls of the canyon rise on both
sides nearly 300 feet. The roar of the
water is almost d~eafening. The grandure
and sublimity of this scene fills the spec
tator with awe.
VEGETATION AND ROCKS.
Turning down stream the second and
third plateaus are seen juttlng their per-
cliffs out over the bottom
land. This low land is dotted with a
growth of small cottonwo I'd, choke cher
ry and sarvis trees, matted in places with
~honeysuckle vines. In about the
middle of the park is still to be seen the
peculiar rock described in Lewis and
Clarke's travels. 1t is a detached rock
about 10 feet high, Is feet long and IA
feet thick. The cleavage is perfect and
on the exposed face is a series Of figures
Or characters. Some say the rock 1s
much like a piece of alligator
leather, but to the writer the characters
appear interviewer and look much like
figures which would appear on a
piece of dough if it were pressed on the
Hat surface of a ~wovenwire fence. Near
his rock is a smaller one, on the south
ace of which are carved the names "F.
NJ. Murray and L. P. Appleman, July
10, 1861"
Tear the lower end of the park a spring
If pure sparkling water wells up from
unknown depths. 1t is very much
colder than the water in the river. In
AZ S'"'S hS"' hio oPiihS ID Vic juPOTltt
place of picnic parties. But
Judging from the number of beer bottles
scattered around, it is evident that some
mel has been there who had no affinity
or water.
IMMENSE MASSES OF STONE.
Below the spring the shore is covered
With a confusion of immense blocks of
tones which are almost regular in shape
md seem to nave been quarried from the
lift above for some giant temple. The
ace of the cliff at place is an upright
tone slab, two feet thick, 40 feet wide
nd over $50 feet high. This immense
stone stands III three feet from
he face of the cliff from which it was
pitt. In the river opposite this quarry,
s a deep pool which is said to be the
spot for fishing.
The south wall of the river is almost
perpendicular and it has been found i'm
4A-rs1 ID A. 1lI