Morning journal and courier., 1891-07-14
COMMUNICATIONS,
Fourth of July in the Rockies.

Fourth of July in the Rockies.
To the Editor Of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
We are early in our saddles on the
morning of this memorable Fourth of
July, for we have bard ride before us.
the brilliant Red Mountain peaks that rise
SO grandly beautiful above our heads,
which, in the Elusive atmosphere of this
high altitude, seem so very near, yet is
good half days journey.
We are up before the sun, for Old Sol
is not an early riser in these mountain
heights, although, as we start, the tops of
the taller snow-crowned peaks are sudden
ly Illuminated and made glorious by the
splendor of his beams.
1t is perfect morning, cool and frosty,
with air 80 bracing and exhilarating, that
it is an enjoyment just to live and breathe
it. Not feecy cloud is visible in the soft
blue canopy above us.
The ever grandly- solemn mountains ap-
pear even more grand and solemn when
seen in the semi-twilight which precedes
the coming of the King of Day. AS if to
welcome his approach, the feathered song
sters pour forth their joyous matin songs.
There are birds gorgeously plumaged in
red, blue and yellow, but the only ia
miliar one is the robin, brown and sedate,
yet, to us, the sweetest singer of them all.
They fly around us, apparently oblivious
to our close proximity, as we follow the
narrow, winding trail leading down the
mountain to the village of Ironton nest
ling at its base.
This is a typical mining town, with its
one short street lying between high noun
tain ranges. AS we reach it the sun, shin
| ing forth suddenly, brings into bold relief
| every homely detail of the small log
| houses, which before had been softened
| and idealized by shadow. In front of
nearly every house is the square board
| 'front.' as if it were trying to hide from
sight the rough or unsightly logs of which
it was bui1t-like many people, who think
by smooth exterior they may cover their
defects from others.
Fording a stream east of the town, we
| pass the Caudice mine and commence the
| ascent of the mountain. AS we reach
Corkscrew gulch we turn to look at the
village sleeping in the sunshine; its streets
are lonely and deserted, for the inhabi-
tants, like the sun, are dilatory in rising.
Corkscrew gulch, as the name implies,
is tortuous and winding, with a thread
like trail on one side leading on over
chrome-colored monntnins of shifting
sand, with deep precipiees at our right
and almost perpendicular mountains OF
the same treacherous sand rising abruptly
| at our left.
It requires a clear head and steady
nerves to travel over these yellow bluffs
with their bold projections, turning corn
ers that are so short that it is hardly pos
sible for horse to keep his balance as hs
carefully picks his way, winding in ane
out over the sliding trail. Strangely
enough the yawning precipice which W,
overlook has fascination for me
and I become giddy; but conquerins
my weakness with an effort fasten my
eyes on the opposite peak and recover
courage thereby.
Our trail widens as we descend to tn,
gulch below, where we ford a noisy river
It is rushing and roaring along with tn
hurry and hustle that characterizes thes
mountain streams; foaming with eagernes
as it dashes over huge boulders or fallel
trees, growing green in places and fecket
with foam, in its mad race down the noun
tain.
A solitary cabin, with padlocked door
standing near the river bank, is the prop
erty of Jack P, who is working "pros
pect" near. Only last winter this cabil
came near being the scene of tragedy
The "boys" in the village began to won
der what had become of Jack, and in
quiries were circulated, but no one hat
seen him; then few of the bravest an,
hardest went up over this fearful trail
which is especially dangerous in winter
and found, on reaching the cabin, the poo
fellow on his rude bed entirely Piles
from rheumatism. Without their timel
aid he must have persisted.
There is brotherhood, and beautiful
care for each other among the hard
miners in these mountains Indeed,
| would be hard to find braver or NOR
: courageous and kindly class of men. o
course there are exceptions, but hsppil
they are rare. Living as they do, amids
the grandest works of nature, and reali7
ing the power of the Great Author an
, Creator, perhaps they insensibly assimi
late themselves to their surroundings, ant
lose that petty selfshness which distin
guishes some of their town-bred brothers
We encounter great clouds of mosquitoe
here, which fill the air and swarm aroun
us, almost covering our horses. They ar
1ong-1egged and lazy, and do not attack u
, with the bloodthirsty ferocity of thei
eastern prototype. In fact, although no
very pleasant, we soon become accustome
to their monotonous hum.
On past the Midnight mine, our trai
growing rougher and wilder as we pre-
ceed, fallen trees over which our horse
leap obstructing our progress, till W
r reach the Carbonate King mine. Yer
cool and inviting it seems, embowered in
l grove of spruce, for the day is CROWN
a hot The men who are not at work appea
: to be enjoying themselves right well. The
q cluster around us, inviting us to aligh
and Offering us refreshments, for they al
: hosplfable people. One of the nun
9 Der proudly presents newcomer
+ us. 'This," said he, sis my brother, an
v hain't seen him in thirty year. left hi
: little shaver at home about so high
: placing his hand about two feet from Il
q ground, "Aint he grown sonnet" he o.