Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-21
A NEW YOSEMITE.
Magnificent Scenery in the North
western Part of Montana.

Magnificent Scenery i'm the North
western Part of Montana.
1--WE have discovered second and greater
Yosemite valley, and a grander National
park than the Yellowstone" said Prof. l.
w. CLANCY of Carleton college. Minneapolis
in telling a correspondent of the New York
Sun about his recent visit to Avalanche
Basin, which he discovered last year in
the northwestern corner of Montana.
A year ago Prof CLANCY and some other
scientists, one of them a lecturer on the
Latural scenery of the west, found in the
western part of Montana a country which
had seldom been seen by man-red or white
They heard vague rumors of a glacier val
ley, and cut their way from the then newly
found Lake Mcdonald through the forests
that crowd the mountains.
They were told by the original settler in
the vicinity of this lake that year before,
in following up the slopes of Brown peak,
north of Lake Mcdonald, with the idea
that glaciers we're to be found, he had seen
no. only a glacier, but also a beautiful
valley and a lake new to the world.
The scientists found the basin and lake,
and, by reason. of the constant roar OF ava
lanches, they named the valley Avalanche
Basin, and spent as long a time as their
provisions would allow in searching the
beauties OF the spot. They had no instru-
ments, and were unable to get any measure
ments.
They determined to return at the earliest
opportunity. This they have now done,
armed with all the needed Instruments, to
make thorough investigation. In the mean
time others have been to Avalanche Basin,
and the trail from Kalispel has been so
chopped out that a woman-Mrs. j. III. Ed
wards of that place-has within the last
week made the perilous trip.
Some OF the dozen of more men who have
seen the basis have been worldwide travel
n. ~ -. T.
Swiss mountains or in the most famed re-
sorts Of Europe that can compare with 1t.
The valley is a scenic gem set in frame of
peaks, and is unrivaled in
brilliancy and in natural interest, but owing
to the purity of the atmosphere and the
impossibilty OF getting distance
in the view 1t is impossible to make pho
tograph that will show adequately the
beauties of the region.
Lake Mcdonald is located in the north
western portion OF Montana, about thirty
five miles from the little mountain town of
Kalispel. 1t is sixteen miles in length, four
or five miles wide, at an altitude of about
5000 feet, and as clear as crystal.
It's mirroring effect Is more sharply defined
than is that of the famous Mirror Lake
Of California, and II reflects the forests of
the surrounding mountain slopes so clearly
that the narrow sharply defined beach of
smoothly polished gravel Is the only indi-
cation OF where the reflections begin and the
forest ends. From Lake Mcdonald the trail
through the mountains extends to the north
ward about fifteen miles, up the rocky
sleeps, and at the last cuts through
gorge OF crimson jasper quartzite, in which
are many deep cascades
Suddenly, and without warning, one
on the shores OF Avalanche Lake
and into a valley OF the most sublime and
impressive grandeur The way has been
hard and the climbing difficult but the end
repays 1t all.
The basin is more than 800 feet higher
than Lake Mcdonald. and the surrounding
rocks tower in almost perpendicular wall
for from 5000 to 5000 feet higher Rising
here and there above the general level OF
the wall of rock are various peaks. The
iscoverers have named one the Matter
horn and its altitude is 1000 feet above
the level of the lake; another has been called
the Cathedral Dome, from It's resemblance
to the dome of St. Peters, as seen from
the Campagni, and II rises about $500 feet;
a third has been called the Sphinx, and
fourth the Castle. The last rises to height
Df over 10. coo feet above the sea. Down the
sides OF these walls cascades fall, at heights
varying from thousands to about 400 feet,
breaking in foam on the lake below, and
hlling the valley with the roar OF Niagara.
The basin is nearly two miles long and
nearly the same In width. In It's center ls
Avalanche Lake. three-fourths of mile In
length and half a mile wide. Its waters,
when seen from the shore. are OF a turquoise
blue, but when looked down upon they are
as clear as crystal, even more so than those
OF Lake Superior, and the rainbow and
trout lying In their depths can
readily be seen.
The upper end of the basin is about two
miles east OF the entrance, and plunging
down the preclpitous rocks are some dozen
streams, forming series OF beau
tiful cascades and cataracts. All are fed
from the SHOWS OF the mountains. and they