Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-20

NoGthWratcsn Montana eurpaases the Ntl-
Iowstone Region.
1--WE have discovered a second and
greater Yosemite valley and a grander
National park than the Yellowstone"
said Prof. L. w. Clancy, Of Carleton
college, Northheld, Mimi, in telling
about hia recent visit 10 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 lecturer
on the natural scenery Of the west,
found In the western part of Montana
a country which had seldom been seen
by manfred or white. They heard
vague rumors Of a glacier valley, and
cut their way from the then newly
found Lake Mcdonald through the for
ests t.iat crown 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 were to be
found, he had seen not.only a glacier,
but also a beautiful valley and lake
new TO the world.
The scientists found the basin and
lake, and, by reason Of the constant
roar Of svalanches, they named the val
ley Avalanche basin, and spent as long
time as their provisions would allow
In searching the beauties Of the spot.
They had no instruments and were un-
able 10 get any measurements
They determined to return at the
earliest opportunity. This they have
now done, armed with all needed instru-
ments, 10 make a thorough investiga-
ton. In the meantime others have
been to Avalanche basin, and the trail
from Kalispel has bean so chopped out
that a woman-Mrs. ]. II. Edwards, of
that place-hss made the perilous trip.
Some of the dozen OF more men who
have seen the basin have been world
wide travellers, and declare that there
"a nothing In the Swiss mountains or in
the most famed resorts of Europe that
can compare with IL. The valley is a
scenic gem set IN a frame of cloud
touching peaks, and Is unrivaled in its
brilllancy and natural interest, but
owing to the purity Of the atmosphere
and the consequent impossibility Of
getting distance In the view 1t is impos-
sible to make a photograph that will
show adequately the beauties of the
region.
lake Mcdonald Is located ia the
northwestern portion of Montana, about
rs miles from the little mountain town
of Kalispel. IL is 16 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 Mir
TOR lake Of California, and II reflects
the forests Of the surrounding noun
tain slopes so clearly that the narrow,
sharply-defined 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 10
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
difficult, but the end repays Il all.
The basin Is more than 500 feet high
or than Lake Mcdonald, and the sur
rounding rocks tower In almost a 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,
and its altitude is 1000 feet above the
level Of the lake; another has been
called the Cathedral Dome, from its re-
semblance to the dome Of st. Peters.
as seen from the campagni, and II rises
about $500 feet; o third has been called
the Sphinx, and a fourth the Castle.
The last rise 10 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-
low, and filling the valley with the roar
of Niagara.
The basin is nearly two miles long
and nearly the same In width. In its
center Is Avalanche lake, three-fourths
CT a mile in length and half mile wide.
It's waters when seen from the shore
are Of q 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
mountain 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 precipitous rocks
are some dozen mountain streams,
forming a series Of beautiful cascades
and cataracts. All are fed from the
SHOWS Of the mountains, and they are
large and small according as the sun
has had an opportunity TO melt the
SHOWS. Avalanches have cut their way
down the slopes and have left their
gashes on the surrounding cliffs.
North from Avalanche basin 70 the
British line the scenery Is Of the grand.
est. II rivals II II does not surpass
that TO be found in the SellSirlss and In
the Canadian Rockies. Glaciers abound
and about 30 miles north Of Avalanche
a one OF the greatest TO be found in
America.-N. Y. Sun.
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Eipa Portion