Las Vegas free press. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1891-1???, 1892-03-05

49,
then stopped for nearly an hour, not
only to rest, but to become somewhat
accustomed to the light air. From
here the road leads around the south
side of the mountain. On this part
of the grade we lost sight of each
other at about 4 O'Clock.
/ was the first to reach the timber
line, which is about three miles from
the top. This marks the line above
which no more trees grow. About
half mile beyond here / became
tired and lay down and slept until
one of the party came up TO me and
woke me.
We proceeded on our way, and IN
short time came in sight of the
camp which was on the west side of
the mountain. 1t appeared quite
near but 1t took us three hours to
reach it, the time of our arrival there
being o'clock in the evening, max
eleven hours in which we walked
eight miles.
We remained at the camp for sew
eral days and while there learned
some curious facts. For instance,
beefsteak for breakfast had to be
cooked all night; and beans required
three days Of constant boiling to be-
come soft enough to be eaten.
The camp was about a quarter of
mile below the summit of the peak,
and one evening we concluded to go
up the rest of the way. On our way
up we espied boulder weighing
about FIVE tons, resting uncertainty
upon projection of rock, aud 10y the
Way of amusement We pried it off
aud cnioycd seeing and hearing it
crashing down the mountain side.
AT last we reached the house that
stands on the summit, and getting
up0n the roof OF the same we saw
the Garden of the Gods, Iron
Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado
City, Manitou, all on the cast and
from eight to twelve miles away.
On the west we could see South
park about twenty-five miles away.
After this we went to the north
side of the mountain where the tour
lists usually go to roll the boulders
down the side into the canon below.
The place where they roll the stones
down Is a narrow chute and the tour
lists, being somewhat timid, when
they start boulder down, if in some
manner. it stops near the top as is
sometimes the case, owing to a slight
break in the chute, they do not again
start it on its way, being afraid to go
down to it for fear of losing their
footing and falling down themselves.
In consequence, we found the chute
clogged about forty feet from the top.
Two of us thought we could go
and start large boulder, and after
working at it for five or ten min
utes, the entire mass of loose boul'
ders began to move, and we climbed
to the side in hurry, while our com
panions at the top laughed at us as a
reward for our daring. This salts
fed us and we did not care to roll
down any more boulders.
So we went to the east side of the
peak, and here we witnessed a beau
tiful sight, seeing the electric lights
in Pueblo, sixty-fve miles away and
we could see a small phosphorescent
CLEAN, where Denver lies, eighty
five miles distant. just below us we
could see the lights of Manitou, Iron
Springs and Colorado Springs. TC
the northeast we could see a specA
of light which showed where the vii
lage of Green Mountain FANS lay.
We remained at the camp five
days longer, and then walked dowr
the mountain. Descending was nat
urally much easier than ascending
and it took about four hours to reacf
Iron Springs at the foot.
The railroad which was then IL
process of construction, is now com
pleted and affords a much easier way
for tourists to visit this famous peak
Not everyone, however, can go tc
the top, owing to the great altitude
and rarefed air. The sensations ex
perienced at SO great height above