The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-01-06
A NEW YOSEMITE.
Travellers Make q Great Discovery
In Montana.
Scenery In the EoFthwesrern Part Of thu
State Grander Than That Of
the National ParE Of the
TeuoWStOues

I'VE have discovered second an
greater Yosemite valley and Z grande
National park than the Yellowstone,
said Prof. L. W. Clancy, Of Carleto
college, Northfeld, Mimi, in teIlin,
about his recent visit to Avalanch
basin, which he discovered last year il
the northwestern corner OF Montana.
A year ago Prof. Clancy and som
other scientists, one of them q lecture
| on the natural scenery Of the west
found in the western part of Montan'
a country which had seldom been seel
by man-red or white. They heart
vague rumors of a glacier valley, an,
cut their way from the then newly
found Lake Mcdonald through the for
ests that crown the mountains.
They were todd by the original settle,
in the vicinity of this lake that n yea,
BEFORE in following up the slopes O
Brown peak, north of Lake Mcdonald
with the.idea that glaciers were to bs
found, he had seen not only glacier
but also a beautiful valley and a lake
Lew TO the world.
The scientists found the basin and
lake. and, by reason of the constan
roar of avalanches, they named the val
ley Avalanche basin, and spent as long
a time as their provisions would allow
in searching the beauties Of the spot
They had no instruments and were un'
able to get any measurements.
They determined to return at the
earliest opportunity. This they have
now done, armed with all needed instru-
ments, to make thorough investiga.
ton. In the meantime others have
been to Avalanche basin, and the trail
from Kalispel has been SO chopped out
that a woman-Nlrs. j. II. Edwards, oi
that place-has made the perilous trip.
Some of the dozen or more men who
have seen the basin have been world
wide travellers, and declare that there
is nothing in the Swiss mountains or in
the most famed resorts of Europe that
can compare with it. The valley is a
scenic gem set IN a frame of cloud
touching peaks, and is unrivaled in its
brilliancy and natural interest, but
owing to the purity of the atmospherc
and the consequent impossibility of
getting distance in the view It is impos-
sible to make a photograph that will
show adequately the beauties Of the
region.
Lake Mcdonald is located in the
northwestern portion of Montana, about
25 miles from the little mountain town
Of Kalispel. 1t is 16 miles in length.
four or five miles wide, at an altitude of
about 5000 feet, and as clear as crystal.
Its mirroring effect is more sharply
defined than is that of the famous Mir
ror lake Of California, and it reflects
the forests of the surrounding noun
tain slopes so clearly that the narrow,
sharpiy-defncd beach of smoothly-pol-
ished gravel is the only Indication Of
where the reflections begin and the for
est ends. From Lake Mcdonald the
trail through the mountain extends to
the northward about IS miles, UP the
rocky sleeps, and at the last cuts
through a gorge of crimson jasper
quartzite, in which are many deep cas-
cades:
Suddenly, and without warning, one
emerges on the shores Of Avalanche
lake and into a valley of the most sub.
lime and impressive grandeur. The
way has been hard and the climbing
hut the end repays 1t all.
The basin is more than 500 feet high
er than Lake Mcdonald, and the sur
rounding rocks tower in almost per
pendicular wall for from 1900 to 5000
feet higher. Rising here and there
above the general level Of the wall OF
rock are various peaks. The discover
ers have named one the Matterhorn,
md its altitude is 4 900 feet above the
level of the lake; another has been
called the Cathedral Dome. from its re-
to the dome of ST. Peters.
as seen from the campagni. and it rises
hbout 4,500 feet: third has been called
the Sphinx, and a fourth the Castle.
The last rise to a height of over 10000
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 be-
ow, and filling the valley with the roar
Of a Niagara.
The basin is nearly two miles long
md nearly the same in width. In its
center is Avalanche lake, three-fourths
# a mile in length and half mile wide. |
It's waters when seen from the shore |
ire of a turquoise blue. but when |
ooled down upon they are as clear rs |
'rystal, even more so than those of I
Lake Superior, and the rainbow and |
mountain trout lying in their depths |
an readily be seen.
The upper end OF the basin IS abou. |
wo miles cast OF the entrance, and |
'lungirg down the precipitous rocks
ire some dozen mountain streams. |
ornirg 4 series OF beautiful cascades |
nd cataracts. All are fed from the /
nows of the mountains. and they are
arge and small according as the sun
las had an opportunity 20 melt the I
nows. Avalanches have cut their wav
iown tae slopes and have left their
ashes On the surrounding cliffs.
North from Avalanche basin to The
British line the scenery is of the grand
81. 1t rivals IL IL does not surpass
hat 70 be found III the Selkirlls and in
ne Canadian Rockies. Glaciers abound,
nd about 30 miles north OF Avalanche
5 one of the greatest to be found in
America-N. Y. Sun.