Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-08-17
A GRAND TRIP.
Hot Springs to Harney's Peak and Return
ON Horseback.

views o. more magnificent outlooks
than climbing to the top of Harney's
peak. No more unique trip could have
been planned than ours, and a party
better suited to it could not be found.
We arrived at Wind Cave at $50 Mon
day, where a fine supper wasi in waiting,
including spring chickens and other
good things, mixed with good cheer
and fine appetites, raised our spirits
until the rush of the wind from the
cave was silenced after supper by the
hilarious songs of the young ladies'.
Two is company and SO the young
ladies paired off to nice, clean beds and
vol aired rooms for the first nights
rest, but as the partitions were only
cheese cloth, condolences had to be ex-
pressed in very low whispers to prevent
becoming public property. After a
sweet sleep aud hearty breakfast we
started ut $50 a. m. Tuesday, and the
ride to Pringle was without incident,
except some of the horses felt quite
fttsky, and exercised the young ladies'
muscles to keep them from making too
rapid speed. At Pringle we met the
ga. m, train on the B. &. NJ, and some
friends on board. We called ut the
only house that bid fair for a lunch,
and the hole in the ground did not de-
ceive us as milk, cream, jam, pickles,
bread, coffee, cake and honey
came forth in abundance, and
we stopped nj hour to do it JUS
tice. At 10 a. m. we started for Gus
ter. We had fairly Strengthened out
when one of our horses stumbled
and foil, landing the rider very swiftly
in the dust, which was about four
inches deep. There was no harm done
except the feelings and general appear
ance of clothes. The ride up the val
10y to Custer is inspiring, for all along
the way flowers and fields are beauti-
full, tho forests like a park, and the
peaks beyond cheering us to grander
things. At Custer we were met by Mr..
Webster, the mayor of the city, and
ample and comfortable quarters had
been reserved for us ut the Kleeman
house. The whole city welcomed us
and after our lunch at the hotel a ban
quet was given us at the residence of
Mr.. Webster, which vas very highly
appreciated, and the young ladies re-
turned tothe hotel decked with flowers.
il not OH tlowery beds of ease. Our
landlord and landlady treated us as
distinguished guests. making us more
than welcome. Wednesday morning
we started for Sylvan Lake and Har-
ney's peak. The morning was cool and
bright, and the ride was through II
valley made surprisingly beautiful by
trees and flowers. rivulets and crags.
1t was Il gradual %ascentto Sylvan Lake.
In the distance seemingly the near
distance could occasionly catch Il
glimpse of Harney's peak. AT Sylvan
Lake We we're met with Il hearty vel
come, and experienced our first real
camping out or roughing it. Part of
the company slept i'll atent, part in the
unfinished hotel, and the balance in
the Crazy house. Our sharp appetites
made every meal Il feast. EARLY Thurs.
day morning the climax of our trip
began. On burros and ponies the start
was made for Harney's peak. Through
the woods, and over rocks and down
steep places, on we went with set pur.
pose and buoyant spirits. To see the
trained donkeys squat down and slide
down n narrow path at an angle of 3;
degrees was more than Il circus. The
sliding was facilitated by the storm we
had during the night previous. A
shepherd dog was one of our assistants
to urge forward our stceds by nippinp
them OH tho heels when they Jagged
behind. One of our young ladies was
not initiated in this vancouver. and the
first noble effort to assist her in this
direction landed her on the ground
and the donkey took to the woods. II
was an amusing diversion when we
found she was not hurt. The Needles
"SSoA AON w poAAAO upMuANs SOIlc oU
some $50 feet high. The Cathedral
park with its stately pines, which had
covered the ground with their spare
needles, was surrounded by massive
stone pillars reaching to immense
heights, and o%verawing one with theil
grandeur. Between these rocks we gel
Il view that is enhancing. Beneath is
the jumblcd mass of broken crags, tho
accumulation of ages from the peak.
and upheava.s of the earth. Still ovel
and beyond, far as the eye can reach
a series of valleys and mountains rive
us to this enhancing spot. From thi
point we begin to slide downagain, an
then begin to climb up to the top o
the peak. We ride to within $50 fee
of tho highest point. We only hav
one sever climb, and then we are SUI
rounded by a panoramic view unequal