West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-08-13

clay. Probably tho largest and one
OF the most beautiful springs in the
Park is Prismatic Lake. It's di-
mentions arc about 800 by 100 feet.
The constantly rising clouds OF
steam arc exceedingly attractive.
rejecting the colors OF the rainbow
like II prism. Over the central pit,
the water IS OF n deep blue, chang
ing to green at the margin, whilc
the shallow petitions have yellow
tint. gradually fading into orange.
Outside its rim there is brilliant
red depcsit which shadce into pur-
pies, browns and srays all painted
upon u ground OF grayish-white
which forms the mound built up OF
layers of silicious deposit Upon
which tho spring is situated. The
hot water flowing off all around,
with constant wave like pulsations,
over the urtlstltally scolloped rim
of the spring, has formed sue
cession of terraces and it is impossi.
bic to exoggerate the delicaty and
richness OF coloting. According to
DR. Hayden's latest survey, there
are no less than 440 springs and
geysers IN the Upper Geyser Basin.
among the springs are dozers. the
rare beauty of which, with respect
to color, depth aud the delicacy,
variety and richness of their silicious
c:ystallizations astonish the world.
u'yscrs exist, it is true, in Iceland
AID New Zealand, but there arc
none to be found in groups so mag
niiiccnt us hero.
BY far tiic most curious gcyscr
cone of all is that OF tile Gfutto.
The various cave like openings give
rise to its name. It's eruptions
occur about four times daily, last
ing half an hour. Well we lrnSe
written enough about geysers and
not springs and will mention some
thing else now. We cross Mary's
Mountain, and right on the summit
we find II beautiful little fresh water
lake called Mary's Lake, situated
5000 feet above sea level. It is
nearly round in shape and about
one-fourth Of a mile across. It's
waters are supplied by mountain
springs and the melting Of the great
fall Of snow Upon tlio raugc. 1t is
surrounded by dense growth Of
pines, it's well defined shores being
of washed lava formation. The
road over the mountain here is not
the regularly constructed govern
ment road, having been first opened
by General Toward in 1877. while
in pursuit Of the hostile Ncz
Perces Indians, who were then on
the war path. Aftcr crossing this
mountain we strike Hayden Valley,
named in honor Of DR.. +. N.IIaydon
Of the United States Geological
Survey, who spent much time in
the Park and made many interesting
reports. This beautiful valley
averages about twelve miles in
width and is the winter habitat of
the Park buffalo, about 200 in
number. We pass Sulphur Noun.
tam, where large blocks Of detached
rock arc scattered about, containing
n large percentage Of pure sulphur.
The fumes arising from the yari.
Gus vents are exceedingly disagree.
able. We picked up small pieces Of
almost pure sulphur and there
seems to be enough here TO supply
the whole world, If the government
would only allow il TO be developed
and worked.
But for tho grandest sight in the
Park is the Great Falls Of the
Yellow Stone River and the Grand
Canyon The Upper Falls are a
beautiful sight and have n pcrpcn-
dicular drop Of 40 feet. A quarter
Of mile below, tho river takes
another leap Of 800 feet, called the
Lower or Great Falls. The eye
follows tho rivers course TO the
brink, where 10 suddenly Disappears
10 be seen again some diclanco
below meandcring along Ike a sill
yer ribbon, between frowning Cam
| yon walls You follow q path to
the brink below where you stand on
a natural platform Of rock upon thc
very edge Of the canyon overlooking
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