Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-06-17
The Ascent of Pixies Peak, Col
orado.
Special Correspondence of the WeR1D.

MY nrSt INTRODUCTION TO Fixes Peak
was from little station about $50 miles
southeast from Denver, on the Kansas
Pacific railroad, and called First View,
so called because here one gets the first
view of the Great Continental Divide on
the journey westward over the Union
Pacific system.
Twas on my first trip west and was
travelling in rather an unostentatious
manner and desired to attract as little
attention as possible. In fact, the time
it would require me to reach Denver,
depended very largely on my ability not
to attract attention.
| was making frequent stops along the
road for the purpose of becoming thor
oughly acquainted with the country
and for other reasons which do not re-
ally concern the readers.
One night, in accordance with my de-
termination to shun all society for the
present, was riding on the steps of the
rear end of the rear sleeper. The por-
ter, however, was sociable, kindly
hearted fellow, and having observed me
there insisted on entering into CONVEX
sation.
On relating to him my love for noun
tain scenery he mentioned that very
fine and interesting view could be OBJ
tanned from the next station-First
View.
He seemed SO positive that could
not afford to miss this opportunity that
his earnestness finally induced me lay
over another train at least and get the
benefit of the mountain panorama from
this point.
The train stopped at the station about
o'clock and, although there was total
absence of hotel Accommodations, so inn
pressed had l become with the glowing
description of the scenic grandeur here
presented, that 1 did not hesitate to
alight.
sought sheltered place behind the
section tool house, and thus protected
from the cool wind that swept across the
plains, even in that June morning, l
spread out newspaper over the bunchy
buffalo grass and lay down for short
nap.
The novelty of the surroundings
rather interfered with perfectly restful
repose and in short time was about.
The night had already broken and only
a few faint stars still withstood the adj
vance of day.
A little village of prairie dogs near by
was already astir. The prairie owl had
ceased his inharmonious hooting, and a
host of little birds were merrily chirping
their morning greeting.
Beyond to the east, west, south and
north stretched the seemingly endless
undulating plain.
Away to the west across this billowy
ocean1of land there rested against the
western horizon, great bank OF dark
and forbidding clouds.
Long before the sun had reached the
horizon it's rays were rejecting against
the western heavens causing these
clouds to undergo new and more beau
tiful Transformation each moment. Sud-
denly, as the sun reached the horizon,
the clouds suddenly disappeared and re-
vealed to my excited imagination the
sunny-covered Continental Divide ex-
tending along the entire western view.
Particularly prominent from this
point was Pixies Peak distinct and clear
in the wavy outline of lofty and noble
mountains. Such was my first glimpse
of the great peak, whose supposed rich
interior has thrilled the soul of the mer-
cenary adventurer; whose indescribable
grandeur has inspired the poet to beau
tiful refrains, and the sage to philo-
sophical reflections on the greatness of
the universe.
Pixies Peak reaches an altitude of A.
241 feet. It is situated about ninety
miles little west of south from Dem
yer, Colorado. At present cog-wheel
railroad climbs the mountain from Man
itou, beautiful mountain city, cozily
protected by high mountains all around
it, and at the very base of the peak.
Pixies Peak presents its best view
from the south and west side. From
the east from many points of view it is
hardly distinguishable from the main
range, and this is particularly noticea-
BILE in riding by the mountain on the
Denver & Rio Grande railroad Passen-
gers unacquainted with the country are
constantly asking, (Which Peak is
Pikes?"
This is due to the fact that the entire
range is very high, and during the en-
tire summer is covered with considera-
BILE snow.
This Continental Divide which ex-
tends north and south from Denver for
100 miles in each direction, presents
prospect of mountain scenery unexcelled
for grandeur and beauty from any point