The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-07-25
THE ALPS OF IDAHO.
The Summit Of Hyndman's Peak N.
vAded By Eat Fork Touris4a.

acCOuut OF 4 Trip on the C0urth d
July to the summit Of Hyndman'.
Peak, which is locsted on the North
Fork OF Wood river about 20 mile,
from Ketchum:
EAST Fork, July 8, 1895.
EDITOR KEYSTONE: It may be Of
some interest to the readers of the
KEYSTONE, to learn how a party
of eight succeeded in an invasion
of the Idaho forests, and the feat its
members performed climbing Hynd
mans Peak, the highest peak in
Idaho, distance of 1860 fee. ia
height. In this party, and on this
trip, there were eight as nice, jolly,
clever ladies and gentlemen as ever
had the pleasure of an outing TO-
gether. There was not q contrary
or contentious person in the COM
pany. Everyone was in good spir-
its and bent on having some
pleasure in the mountains. Such
a company can always have . good
time, and we had it. Our party
comprised the Misses May and Ida
Ivie, Mr.. Benson, w. Williams, J.
Kramer, Alden and Ray Ivie, and
Arthur Solander, all of East Fork.
We left the North Star mill at 8
A. N. July End, went in wagons
about six miles up North Fork
river, lunched at the old saw mill,
then continued on our way horse
back and with pack animals, forded
North Fork river, and that night
camped at stream of water q lit
tie way off the main trail, at the
foot of Hyndman's Peak.
Mr.. Benson being familiar with
the country, knew all the best camp
ing grounds, and was we'll posted
as to where grass was the most
abundant. Just imagine, w. Will
lia.ns, the dude of our party, upon
his knees frying steak, Mr.. Benson
with his bread-hooks in a pan Of
dough, J. Kramer, Alden, Ray,
Arthur, May and "yours humbly"
sitting in the shade near the camp
with their eyes upon the baking
bread, picture their seeming con-
tentment upon your mind then ask
yourself, did it not pay? W. Will
liams is quite an expert with the
gun and succeeded in capturing a
large cinnamon bear the second
days outing.
Benson, Kramer, Alden and Ray
we're the Nimrods of the party, and
could travel farther and hit lees
marks than any four men in Idaho.
July 4th We left camp at 9 A. N. to
ascend the peak. As the ascent is
made many opportunities are given
for exquisite views Of the world be-
low, through vistas in the trees,
with the southern plains glowing
in the sunshine, and extending as
far as vision reaches, and limited
only by the blue horizons verge.
About half way up the mountain
and directly on the line of the sur
rounding mountains we stopped to
lunch. This was a pleasant retreat
for luncheon, as the scenery is wild,
picturesque and full Of delightful
surprises. We were now far above
the timber line. On all sides could
be seen huge masses of rock, Of
lovely forms and varied hues, and so
vast in extent that they seemed to
resemble the ruins of some ancient
city. From here our trail was nearly
straight up what appeared to be an
almost inaccessible wall of precipi-
tous granite. But no physical OBJ
struction was formidable enough to
deter the ladies of the party.
With careful climbing, at last the
summit was reached. The view from
the peak once beheld can never be
forgotten. The first sensation was
that of complete isolation. The
silence is profound. From the peak
we looked forth upon the majesty of
the mountains and the plains. For
ests dark and vast seem like vague
shadows on distant mountain-sides. |
A village is dwarfed into the COM
pass of a single block; water
courses are mere threads of silver
laid in graceful curves upon the
green velvet mantle of the endless |
plains. It is in vain that one strives
to describe the scene. Only those
who have beheld it can realize it's
grandeur and magnificence. Free
dom's beautiful flag was then hoist.
ed and saluted by each member of
the party, who also inscribed their
names on the flag staff. We began
our descent at 5 P. NJ. and reached
camp at 8.
We sympathized with those who
spent their Fourth in town, without
IN evergreen to shade them, whilst
We were enjoying the shadows of
Tho forests and the cool mountain
breeze of the Peak, feasting on wild
game, such 40 bear and the noun
lain goat. It il said that We were
The FIRST ladies that ever made the
ascent Of Hyndman's Peak.
Yours truly. IDA WE.