Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-07-28
com nUNICATIONS.


oOHA"A Ao<A n AOANSs
In the Rockies. |
To the editor Of the JOURNAL AND COURIER
1t is well worth a climb up the mountains
even if your health grows short, and you
have stop 30 often to rest; that glorious view |
from the Psymaster Mine will repay you for
your trouble. Sit down awhile in my favor |
ite seat, until your heart ceases its tumul.
tuous beating, and regains its normal condi
ton; for we are at an altitude of ten thou
sand feet, and one cannot walk as easily as
in the level streets of our eastern cities.
Breathe in the exhilaratiBg air, as you gaze
on the wonderful landscape before us; the
towering, snow-capped mountains, deep can
yons, precipiteus gulohes; then, look above
Into "thst great deep sea of azure that swims
overhead" for nowhere can a more brilliant
ly, beautiful sky be seen.
We are on the western slope of one of Red
mountain peaks, about half way to the sum-
NIT, which rises abruptly behind us. In
front, a good wagon road winds for half
mile down tine mountain, which slopes gradu
ally, crosses q noisy, rushing stream, and
joins the toll road in the canyon below. On
| the west of this narrow canyon, a parallel
range of mountains rise precipitously. Along
| the irregular surface of the summit is the
rocky profile of mans upturned face; the
/ well-shaped brow, finely cut nose, aud beard
against the sky. To the south of the rock
face is the knob shaped peak, fourteen thou
sand feet above sea level, where
we ate our lunch, one bright Septem-
Der day; and on the north, just
on the divide, directly opposite us. is the
Mountain Lion mine. By the aid of glass
| we can see the burro trains, loaded with sup
lies for the mine, and sometimes can discern
horses feeding on the short, green herbage.
Lower down the slope Is the Gslena Lion; In
fact, the mountains are perforated with many
tunnels, the work of ambitious prospectors.
To the north, almost at our feet, lies the
| strange little village of Ironton, with It's one
short street, on either side of which the
| mountains rise 30 suddenly. A bend In the
mountains at the foot of the village diseloses
beautiful view Of the park. This Is my IA
vorite view. Seen In all seasons, under all
conditions clad In lite summer green or buried
in its winter winding, sheet, never tired of
its varied beauty.
The park is one>fourth of mile, in width
with Brown mountain In the background, on
which we see the Albany, Saratoga, Brook
lyn, Maud s., Belle of the West, Jay Eye
| See and numerous other mines. The toll
road, which is only wide enough for two
horses abreast, skirts the base of the noun
| tains on the west. II is built high above
| the park, but has to be abandoned in the
| winter on account of dangerous snowslides
| which have travelled down the mountains
| with such velocity and force that little lakes
have been formed of peculiar shapes and
| deep they have never yet beer
sounded by plummet and line
The park follows the curves and
windings of the mountains three miles, ,befor,
, the grand canyon of the Umcompagre Il
reached 1t 10 covered with d green herbage
II 18th AnUepa nd lnu
| thickets, is we'll watered, and is the favorit
, | resort of all stray animals in the vicinity.
IL never can forget the mad, glorious rae
| We had with q storm in this park. The SIX,
D was bright and cloudless rs We started from
D ouray in the morning, and the air delightful
ly cool in the shade of the mountains "
| were climbing When We reached the par
o heavy black cloud emerged from behind
I: l western mountain, and one of those sudde
~ / summer storms go common here, was upo
y. | us before we were aware. Our horses SCENE
| to comprehend the situation and needed onl
'r | an encouraging word to strike into a vii
IL gallop.
. On we wen. like the wind, dizzily passir
~ familiar landmarks, Pinto with outstretchs
neck and long, slender legs spurning Il
: ground, while Nibs, the trusty, but not
's feet of foot, came behind, where his mast,
ut said he purposely kept him, fearing Pin
as would be beyond control If excited by Nit
"A company, which sounded very well indeed.
AS we reached the bend of the road lea'
ing into Ironton the storm was upon rs in
ut its fury. A sudden gust of wind lifted n
op hat from my head and 1t went sailing thIou;
al the air behind me. Faster We few over 4
road, the villagers Aocking to their doc
as they heard the clatter of hors'
A feet on the hard ground and lang
ma with the storm king. Breathless and e
1t cited we reached the postofioe, where ,
70. found shelter until the rain was over.
n. ward the northeast the dome shaped br
liant Red mountain peak number one rait
IT. Its lofty head. The color is q dull Indi
ast red, stratifed and besprinkled with shad
nR of yellow. Presently the whistle Of the Z
gine is heard, and We look back ward and .
ward to the southwest and see tide traiI
er. | comm round de mounting" First the q
gine appears, then the freight and passenf
=. cars, and the train rolls easily and noisele
OF ly along the narrow grade almost above Q
,n, heads, and disappears around bend In
on reversed. Soon ne hear the whistle agi
w as the train appears below us. The new p
In senger coach, "The Yankee Girl"
,ed attached, which signifies that more touri
than usual are travelling "Around the @
cle." They gaze curiously ct rs and kn
3D. are plying the conductor and braiem
Ioh with questions, some of which are laul
". able. Down past the dormitories, the Oh
10 and the barn where Nibs and Pinto are,
the train glldes along and is lost 70 view. Al
of o time IT again appears. It has crossed
y river in the canyon and 10 running at
70 base of the opposite range. Finally, wit
the shrill screech which wakes the mounts
has echoes, the little station ct Ironton 10 reach
- Here passengers are received FROM the mo
" ing coach out of Oursy. In short time
an train IL steaming up the mountains, puff
and groaning, emitting great clouds Of bl
smoke as It laboriously climbs the ct
mas grade.
hes A complimentary pass Of silver bea
His fully engraved, entities rs to FREQ rides o
the ns .Ssu a,uss, .du a. who ssor. pths tain
'ans We get into the coach. Then away over
nth mountains, mp toward the high, sn