The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-07-14
LETTER FROM LEO.
NOTES FROM THE
GREAT WESTERN STATES.
A WINTER ON THE COAST.
Beauties and Dangers of Trips About
the Mountains, Amidst the Rocky
Crags and rec1pices-Descrip-
ton of a Glacier.

at Vancouver, though four or five de-
grees of latitude farther north than
Milwaukee, a snowfall on the sea level
is an exception, and seldom is the ice
thick enough to skate on with safety.
1t was originally a heavily timbered
country and at this time FIR and cedar
trees may be seen within few miles
of Vancouver, more than seven feet in
diameter. Lumber is one of the items
of export.
Leaving Vancouver by the Canadian
Pacific Railway, at a distance of 18O
miles we reach the head of navigation
of Frazer river, at the commencement
ola wild gorge, of which those unfamil-
lar with mountain scenery can gain no
conception by description. In its pas
sage through the mountains the river
is narrowed to two hundred feet and
often to less than one hundred feet in
width. The current is rapid and goes
sWirling along at a fearful velocity. On
one side the mountains rise almost pre-
cipitately to the height of 1000 feet,
while on the other side narrow shelf
is left barely wide enough for the rail-
way track, and in many places not even
for that, and many projecting rocks are
tunneled through, and for many miles
the track winds along the banks in a
serpentine course, with no spare mar
gin and many gorges are crossed on
bridges at dizzy heights, from which
pebble may be dropped from the car
window into the stream. Great care
is required in moving the train, which
craWls along at a snail pace on the
side of thea mountain, and constantly
rising on steep grade. A rear engine
adds it's power to the running lOcomo-
tive, and the swaying of the train in
winding the sharp curves seems to
threaten precipicate danger, for sin
gle derailment would hurl the train
into the swift current of the river of
unknown depth. For three hours this
scene continues, till night shuts in
these terrific wonders.
Morning brings the train to Revels-
totee, a struggling little mountain
junction town of unpainted houses.
AS it's name was printed in large letters
in the time tables, it was supposed to
be a town of some Importance as a
point for purchasing mining supplies
for the surrounding country. Here the
passengers did three things-they
crossed the Columbia river, they ate
very Indifferent lunch, at the station
lunch room, for which they paid all
extravagant price, and they marveled
at the short time allowed in which to
eat it.
1t is a source of regret that but one
overland train is run daily, and much
of the wonderful scenery is passed in
the night, for if the tourist stops over
day he can only take q train at the
same hour on the following day.
At IL a. N. the Glazer station is
reached at the head of long curve,
shaped like letter q, around deep
gorge and on an uphill track on both
sides. Here is located station in a
romantic glen of few acres, 400 feet
above tide water, with snow covered
mountains looking down upon it from
all around and from various heights
Mount Sir Donald, one of them, said
to be more than 5000 feet above the
station, being more than two miles
high above sea level.
At this point the railway company
has erected hotel for the accommoda
ton of summer tourists, which has
been written up in most extravaganza
terms by some prolific pen, describing
it's elegance in furniture and it's table of
| luxuries, all of which can be en- Dyed by
guests for the very moderate sum of S.
a day. The whole affair is OverdraWn,
as is the tendency of most of such ad
vertising schemes. The hotel, though
! large, in it's management is fair rep
resentative of a good country town 81
house.
1t was in order of program to spend
twenty four hours at this point, for the
attractions were numerous. The little
lakes far up in the mountains above
the hotel were reminder of the
mountain lakes of Switzerland, but the
chief attraction here was the remark
able glazier, and one of the most noted
in the whole range of mountains, COW
ering, it is said, thirty seven square
miles, A well defined trail through
the woods leads to its foot, which was
described as a pheasant and easy
walk of sWenty minutes" but it re-
quired brisk walk of one hour and a
profuse perspiration before reaching
that point. Half OF way was of an easy