The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-03
Henry Lake. I1ahO q.

Situated high up in the main Rocky
mountain divide in the eastern part of
Idaho, lust south of the boundary line be-
tween that state and Montana and a few
miles west of the Yellowstone National
park, is Henry lake, n beautiful sheet OF
crystal water, having an area of about forty
square miles. The contour of the lake is
oval. and the wooded banks bear a luxuriant
growth of mountain grass. On a casual
examination there appears to be no outlet
| to this lake, but closer observation dlscoy-
ers a small creek issuing from the south
western side, which is the beginning of the
north fork of the mighty artery of the
northwest, Snake rive. +,
On Henry lake, som times on the north
side and sometimes TO the southwark, or
wherever the breezes chance to Eear it, is 4
curious floating island. 1t is about three
hundred feet in diameter and has for Its
basis a mat of roots, so dense as to support
large trees and a heavy thlcket of under
| growth. Decaved vegetation adds to the
thickness of the mat and forms a mold
| several feet in thickness. On the edge of
the floating forest, IN summer time, may be
| seen a iuxuriant growth of blnejoint grass,
| tine roots of which form 80 compact Il mass
as to support the weight Of a horse. Any
number Of men have no difficulty in walk
ing about OH it. Further back among the
trees one might build a large house and
make a garden and do whatever he pleases.
He would be inst rs solid and "safe as
though there were not one hundred or two
huudrei feet of water underneath. There
is a willow thicket naar the center OF the
island, and scattered among these willows
and contiguous to them are a number of
aspeus and dwarf pines. These catch the
breezeS which pass over the lake and act
like sails on a boat and move the nearly
two acres of land hither and thither over
III ~ ,iin ~V yrntaI ItIr
shows why one may one dag see the island
on one side and the next day on the other
side of the lake.
Henry lake is exceedingly picturesque,
Around it rise sn5w- capped peaks, among
which are some of the highest of the CONT
nent's backbone, partly covered with a ver-
dure of forest and grass, and showing here
and there formations of granite and unique
basaltic columns. During the hunting sea
son the waters swarm with Wild fowl.
There are beaver, too, and plenty of large
game may be had in the adjoining noun
tains.-West Shore Magazine.
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DakotHs, Manitoba and the northwest 70
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Tiokst Agent. Chicago. III.