Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-09-03
GRANDEUR.
A Trip Through the Rocky Mountains
Graphically Described by a Mexico
Lady Who is Touring the West.
Correspondence of the Ledger.

Correspondence of the Ledger
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo, Aug. 81.
Colorado Springs is one of the finest
summer resorts of the West, but the
grandest trip in the United States is q
tour through the Rocky mountains by
way of the Denver g. Rio Grande
road.
From Colorado Springs to Pueblo, q
distance of 45 miles, we followed the
Rocky mountains and kept our course
mainly to the south. From here we
pursued a westerly course. A short
distance after leaving Pueblo We came
to Florence, a town situated in the
center of the coal oil fields of Colorado.
The next place of any Importance was
Canon City, aud it is rightly named
for it stands at the entrance of the
greatest eanon penetrated by any
railroad. 1t is the county zeal of FIRE.
mont county and the seat of the State
penitentiary. Just beyond Canon City
the railroad enters the grand ano of
the Arkansas, the narrowest portion
of which is known as the Royal Gorge.
Its grandeur is beyond full descrip-
ton. After entering its depths the
train moves slowly along the sides of
the Arkansas and around projecting
shoulders of dark-hued granite, deep
or, deeper into the heart of the range.
The crested crags grow higher, the
river madly foams along its rocky
bed, and the way becomes a mere fis-
sure through the heights.
The place is a measureless gulf of
air with solid walls on either side. No
penetrate the solitudes. Shortly we
reach Salida, which is situated on the
bank of the Arkansas River. Here
we changed cars and took the narrow
gauge line, via Marshall Pass and
Gunnison. For a long distance this
branch entends through the grand San |
Luis valley. Then we commenced
making the ascent of Marshall Pass
by g of a series of curves, abso-
lutely bewildering. Looking up we
could see as many as two tracks above
US, the continuation of the one we
were on. As the altitude grows great
er the view becomes less obstructed
by mountain sides and the eye roams
over miles of cone-shaped SUBMITS.
Far in the distance could be seer Sierra
Blanca, the highest of the Rocky
range, the elevation being 14,4s3 feet.
On the summit of the Pass the track
is enclosed by a large snow shed. A
fine view can be had from the observ-
atory erected above the station. The
elevation is 10, 1866 feet above sea level.
The descent begins and slowly the
sleeps are conquered. Looking back
ward gives one an idea of the vast
heights overcome in the passage.
Gunnison is the next town, and Just
beyond here the observation car is at
tached and the Black Canon holds us
fast in its embrace.
This canon is IA miles in length and
2 $500 feet in height. Curricanta
is the most abrupt and isolat-
ed of these pinnacles. When we reached
Grand Junction we again took the
wide guage and continued on our
towards Salt Lake.
For $50 miles we passed through a
complete desert. When wereached the 7,
Utah valley what a contrast. 1t was
covered with fruit farms as well as
fields of cereals. To the left lies Utah !
Lake, a lovely sheet of clear, fresh i
water. After the valley of Utah Lake {
is left behind a small river is seen
meandering through the sage brush;
is the Jordan. !
Our next stop is Salt Lake City, and I
such a beautiful place. The streets are
wide, the blocks so large and SO !
many shade trees. The bathing in I
Salt Lake is fine. There are two bath I
ing resorts, Saltair and Garfield Beach. 6
The former is II miles from the city,,
while the latter is IS. We YER at :
both places and liked Garfield Beach
5he best as the water gradually gets
The water contains % per-
cent pure salt, making it so buoyant
hat sinking is impossible. Only a /,
title effort is required to maintain
equilibrium so that you can float
or miles. The Temple and Tabernacle
the Mormans are grand structures.
Ogden, too, is a pretty place, but Salt I
lake is far superior. i
Our trip back TO Colorado Springs
vas equally as interesting. We came
III the way by the broad, OF standard
,uage, through Glenwood and Lead
lille. Between these two places the }
inest scenery lies. Shortly after .
Glenwood Springs mt the I
anon of Grand River, which rivals
he grand canon of the Arkansas. The d
River canon is not only a mirac- i,
Ilous work of nature, but also the =
wonders of human handiwork, for the
ides and submits of this canon are /
made the resting places for the shaft
touses and dwellings of miners, 1000 U
eet above the track and resemble
yries of eagles. One of the most
Tonderful things is the mount of the
Ioly Cross. This famous mountain 4
ears q cross of snow upon its bosom. =
We had a delightful trip, one to be
remembered.
MRS. SALLIE PRICE CARTER.
FARMERS NARROW ESCAPE.
lis Load of Hay Caught Fire From a
u4k UTka1t - A. yT--