The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-06
UP IN THE OLYMPICS.
What the "Cambrian" Party
Found In the Mountains.
THE FUNNY WRESTLING DOGS.
Rev. J. NJ. Hughes Gives q Graphic
init of the Olympic Range.

Some three weeks ago the Posr-ISrELrIsxxcxn
mentioned the departure CT party of Seattle
gentlemen and their friends for an Olympic
mountain trip. The party has Just returned
ana Rev. J. NJ. Hughes, pastor OF the Olive
Street Presbyterian church, has written an ac-
count of his trip for publication. The party
went much further into the wilds OF the Olym-
pics than pleasure party ever went before and
they prospeeted in locality that it is believed
never felt the touch OF pick before. The mem
bers OF the party named it the ''CambriAn
Party. Following is Mr.. Hughes description
of the trip:
On the bright morning Of August a our party,
consisting of II. F. Williams. OF the Arm OF Will
Jams d Jones; Ellis Hughes, of Leadville. Col:
w. z. Hughes of Utica, " Y; Ellis w. Prich-
ard, OF Emporia, Kan; 7. Roberts. of sidney.
Australia, and the writer, left Seattle we'll pre-
pared for Eamble in iha picturesque olympics.
We had several objects in view in going. some
OF us wanted TO see more OF what we had already
heard about. and TO enjoy general outing
amongst the wilds of nature, as we'll as 10 bring
some grouse aud other game 10 the conditions OF
trne usefulness. Others had more elevated
ideas, and had their eyes wide open in search Of
precious ores, and especially states. In fact none
of us had any objection TO finding anything We
could in the mineral line.
We entered the mountains by way of Quilcene,
on the east side OF the range. Having Jailed TO
make useful pack horse out OF a mule, and also
to subject stubborn, kicking pony to the same
usefulness, there was nothing to do but 10 rough
1t, and TO shoulder our several packages as well
as we could. Some of our party being old pros
pectors, they had al advantage over the Others,
because they were used TO such things, while we
were making our initial trip.
We lett Quileene on the morning OF August Is,
IN good spirits aud well packed. and soon
reached the trail which leaves the county road
three miles west of Quicenc, and Immediately
we began to climb the foothills. IL must be
That the party who made this trail were paid by
the rod for their work, for there are good
many more rods in the trail than is necessary.
III wanders back and forth, up. and down in a
most ridiculous shape The lay of the land is
very uneven, yet we saw some pieces of excel
lent soil, and the timber, which includes FIR,
cedar, maple, alder and hemlock, is as choice az
any IN America
After travelling some six miles from Quilcene.
and having. IA we supposed. passed the last
settler long since, TO our surprise we came upon
twosqnatters each OF whom had good deal Of
improvements on mis- place. and, althoug Living
in remote quarters, each looked as happy as
prince. No incidents worthy of mention &C.
Cured during our FIRST Gay on the trail, but we
were all glad TO reach camp at about p. NJ. ON
delightful spot by the big Quilcene river.
Soon all were busy building fire, cooking. pre-
pairing the grouse which were killed during the
day, putt NJ up the tent, etc. I he result OF the
former was beautiful supper and of the latter
q pleasant resting place, which we all appre-
ciated
he next day we were up bright and early,
aud with the sun started westward, our course
proving before, full OF angles Of every
description. We crossed the Quileene river
back and forth some ten twelve times over
fallen logs. One OF our party had a wet ex-
carrying fifty pound sack OF -four over a log,
and his foot slipped and down went the traveller,
the flour and all into the water Fortunate
ly it was not deep, yet our -four was completely
immersed, and we hSd too much dough for one
baking, but we had an extra sack and SO we
saved the most Of the -four, and 1t didn't take
long to bring our wet comrade again into travel
ing condition. After doing some prospecting,
and finding indications OF ore in several crop
pings, we moved again along the banks of tho
same river, and travelled hard over a somewhat
before
mountains The timber was also excellent One
fact worthy OF mention TO intending travellers
into these mountains is that water Is plentiful
here everywhere, ana the best water of any that
ever drank. Along each valley which we saw
runs river, aud from the hills and mountains
on each side they have feeders OF different sizes
which from distance appear like huge silver
chains hanging leisurely down upon natures
breast, and they add considerably TO the grand
eur of the sceaery.
Alter passing camp Harris, travelling becomes
very hard and the trail becomes still more
rough and steep sometimes wet and swampy,
thea roc ky and hard to follow. We were glad 70
reach "Camp Previous" within about a mile az
the summit. and settle down for another night.
The next morning we passed under rugged
cliffs and oyerhaaging rocks and came ~ q
place where blueberfies were very plentiful and
large While mere helping ourselves from ma
lures garden we heard shr II whistle, similar
to q mau when calling street car 1T a distance.
Thinking that one of the partv had strHved
away from the remainder. and was using this
means of drawing our attention, one Of our com
rades at once responded with an inquis tive
"Hellog' The only answer was another sharp
whistle. Then we made a search for the whistler
and found II to be littie animal about the size
OF squirrel. These peculiar creatures We
discovered were the mormAnts whistiing
dogs They resemble the Eastern woodrhuck,
but are larger and their color lighter. Their fur
is fine, and their tails are long aud beautiful
In few minutes more we reached the sum
nit and the scenery Is really grand. This -
the Switzerland Of America. To our right
stands the highest Peak of Mount Constance,
7,776 feet high, and two Of our party ascendsd
mainder OF US assembled TO the summit OF
mountain to our left. There In the deep snow
and under the rays OF burning sun we stood
full of delight and admiration ct the enhancing
prospect. Before leaving We had q novel lunch
consisting of slRpiacks and snow. Having reas-
embed again on the divide we sta rted down
the steep grade for the VALLEY 20 the west, fully
1900 feet be ow. After tiresome and pfri 0us
walk over landslide-. steep rocks and remsins %
avaIanchee, we at last reached the DunReness
river and went az once 20 the "Home Camp"
The waters of this river are not ss clear a. thOss
of the QuilCene, but thew aDound in trout Our
angler took in some sixty in about an hour sui
half SONG up this valley we saw an elk hut
il was too far for the rife, and We hid nc time
TO go nearer 10 him. We also saw deer lower
down the valley, but we had other work
could not get him either.
We saw no indications Of precious ores in the
immediate vicinity OF the Home Camp" bur
found slate Of good color, ana ~ far as the crop
pings show, OF good quality, but, nevertheless,
on account Of its remoteness from road. rail and
water i il for the present impracticable TO Sc
cure aud of no value.
The valleys on the northeast portion Of the
mountains are exceedingly narrow, with an oc-
casional garden spot, bright. beautiful and clear,
which, in view of the high mountains on each
side, add romance TO the already highly eolorei
picture.
In conclusion, we may say that we turned our
faces hOmeward after spending one Of the hap
piest and most pleasant weeks OF our lives.