The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-07-21
TO MARY'S PEAK.

TO MARYS PEAK.
A party consisting Of T. 4. Bell, wife and
son, Zephis Job, wife and son, Frank Cono-
yer and wife, Mrs. Cosper, Miss Hsnnie
Harris anil NJ. P. Burnstt started foy the
summit Of Marys Peak on Saturday morn
ing. They eamped At tine base Of the noun ;
tain Saturday night and tho following naorn-
ing packed the camp equipsgs upon their
horses and ascended to the suusmit Of
the peak, which Is said to be about Eve
miles from the head Of comfortable navigA.
| tion. But there is eertsinly ~ much dis
| erepancy iH the actual and the stated dis
tances of one Of these miles ~ there il be-
| tween the actual and stated amounts Of
land in an acre of nsountainous country.
Around about Mary1s Peak there ia great
deal of distance to the mile. There 10 mo-
great amount Of pleasure to be obtained
during the time consumed in the ascens ex-
cept in taking an eccasionsl rest. At ether
times the circumstances require strict at
| tention to business. The sumanit reached,
however, the view 70 we'll worth the slight
inconvenienees of the journey. The wcather
and atmosphere was very favorable upon
the occasion Of this partv's visit. and the
view was unfolded in two distinct panora-
mas which were magnificent 10 tbs extreme.
From this point view is at once obtained
of almost the entire WiIlsmetse valley witls
its cities, towns, rivers, groves, grain-ieids,
ETC., shut in upon the eastern horiznn by
the rugged Cascade range from which tho
many snow.peaks ascend in increased grand
eur as che higher points of observation aro
obtained. The minor observations through
a field glass are also very interesting. To
the westward there is an intimate succession
of mountains, between whose walls tho
meek burntwoodsman dwelleth in happy 70.
clusion. But we must yetsiu IN elevated
position and pass on over this vast expanso
western confines of the American continent
and beyond to point where the ocean com.
mingles with the sky-blue of heaven. We
hope this will meet the expectations Of eIr
readers SO tar as the general visw l. con-
cerned.
We now return to camp on the peak. par
take of luncheon, and place ourselves in Am
advantageous attitude to witness the sum
sink into the western sea. This was also .
charming scene; but we have no sunset des-
criptions en hand at present, and therefore
will he compelled to omit special mentioa OF
this feature of the programme.
Later in the dewy evening the coussns-
tion drifted from one subject to another and
finally to the aborigipeS who burned their
signal fires on this spot in the misty ages Of
the past. The discussion of Indians and
Indiaa character led to the suggestion of =
socirl war.dance, which was indaIged IN and
greatly enjoyed by an present.
There are some of the details of this trip
which are necessarily left out of the account
and the discomforts Of srcepiog out upon
morning we saw the sun rise. This was
very interesting to some members Of the
party who had not before Witnessed this
well.known phenomenon of nature. Soon
after the morning meal the descent was be-
gun and was without incident. A little
diversion irdurged shoald have been noted
previously, and as the pleasure IN mind 10
seldom enjoyed here in midsummer 1t must
not be omitted. At large snow.drifes
one of the ladies of the party nndsr-
took Is toboggan slide, and was fairly
successful in SO far as she slid although the
absence of necessary conveniences rendered
the act quite hazardous to the sensibilities.
not only of the lady herself. but Of the en-
tire party.
The vehicles were reached in good season
and after q rest Of few hours, the party
started honeward. Six O'Clock p. m. found
all safely in their respective homes in Corval-
lis, somewhat weary and worn. bot having
no regrets of the trip to offer.