Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-10-14
COLORADO SPRINGS.
MANITOU-"THE SARATO-
GA OF THE WEST"
Pixies Peak-"The Gem of The
Rockies"

and three miles of streets lighted by arc
| lights. A beautiful avenue so feet wide
runs through the town. on either side OF
which are handsome cottages, villas and
hotels OF elegant design and construction.
| In the center OF the town are the famous
mineral springs-soda, sulphur and iron.
These are inclosed within miniature parks
and pleasure grounds, and TO these spark
ling mineral springs the Indians brought
their sick for healing long before the
coming OF the white mans foot. Spark
| ling, effervescent and highly agreeable
TO taste. their waters are adapted to cure
or alleviate wide range Of chronic "ills
which man is heir to-.
There are resorts galore. but rustic.
balmy. healthful Manitou is at the head
Of the proc cession, and offers more pleas
ure, distraction and re.creative opportu-
nifty than any Of them. Clinaiically there
is no other region that so nearly ap-
proaches the ideal. both in its conclusive
ness to health and its ecsiatic delightful
round about is fairly covered with the
weird, the wonderful and the buteous.
The various springs are natures own
apothecary shop. Nature was indeed
lavish in showering her blessings on
Manitou. Her attractions are natural
God made them. Manitou There is
symphony in the soft. sweet sound OF
that Indian name for the Great Spirit. for
all who have felt the charm of the place
it designates.
One takes in the numerous environ
ments for which Manitou is remarkable,
and some OF which are Glen Eyrie, Gar
den Of the Gods, Cave Of the Winds, and
Pixies Peak. We took the last mention
ed first, preferring the morning to the
afternoon on the summit. Pixies Peak!
That historic beacon summit which guild
ed the early explorers acIoss the Great
Plains, iears its snow crest in the midst
OF a veIltable wonderland. Here one
beholds nature in some OF her grandest
and most fantastic moods. Here are
massive, gigantic mountain peaks rear
ing theii heads in the regions Of perpet-
ual snow. Here, when the world was
young. was the playground of Titan's s
forces-rock forms of every size, shape
and color, rising IN airy pinnacles like
the spires OF Milan, or in solid shafts,
against which modern engineering might
beat in vain.
There are several ways in which the
tourist may ascend the Peak-by wagon.
on buiro. by the cog railway, or if he
has the grit of three Englishmen we met.
he takes it afoot. Hailing from Mary
land. and being imbued with southern
blood that loathes over-exertion, and
loves ease and comfort, we took the cog.
The railway is unique. not TO say won-
derful. AT the Iron Springs. the terminus
OF the street railway, one lake the Car for
the summit OF the Peak. The coach is
fitted out as any railroad coach is. the
engine. which we shall not attempt to
describe, because we cannot. pushes the
coach from the rear up the mountain. In
the centre OF the track is the cogwheel
arrangement. and this is the distinctive
feature, which accomplishes this great
feat OF engineering. The grade in the
road is wonderful. and at one part there
is an ascent Of 2s per cent. perpendicular
for three miles.
Were it not for the cog-wheel railway
only those few Of natures physical aris-
tocrats who have superior development
OF limbs and lungs, would be permitted
TO mount above the clouds and stand
"close to the sun in lovely lands" But
the cog reduces all men to common
level IN the enjoyment of this sublime
pleasure without physical exertion and
without fatigue of any kind. Any one
able TO travel in a railroad car can be
lifted up 10 the strange region OF clouds
| and storms, and for few hours exist IN
the heart of eternal desolation. To the
common place human being this trip is a
chapter from one OF Jules Verne's ro-
manees. The dullest mind is susceptible
to grand. impressive and poetic fancics,
and these are sure TO be aroused and felt
by this experience at the summit oi
| Pixies Peak. We did not make the as
cent without trepidation. knowing the
altitude seriously affects some. especially
those whose "too solid flesh will moi
melt (misquoted). But We gritted ouI
teeth, swallowed the lump in our throat
and said pixies Peak or bust
Difficult indeed is the task of attempt
ing even to describe what may be seen
from the train ascending Pixies Peak. A
picture for the mind Of the varied tints
and colors. and constantly changing pano-
rama. can reach it only through the hu.
man eye. The lower terminus Of the
cog wheel road is situated at the mouth
of Engleman's Canon, whose sides are
formed by the slopes of Manitou Hiawa-
tina Mountains. Rushing through the
canon, Ruxlon Creek. sparkling mount.
ain stream, swiftly flows beside US. dash.
| ing madly on over massive boulders and
forming numberless cascades and water.
falls far below. Its source is the perpet-
ual snow, and we follow II for two and
three-quarter miles. There are many
scenes and points of interest en- route up
the Peak. A short distance from the
starting point are Shady Springs. hidden
under the slope Of the massive mountain
upon which rest Cog and Magog. TIC
the right is the Lone Fisherman, who
patiently waits at the top Of the northern
wall of the canon. Now we enter the
Great Pass, where we see Echo Falls
named from the echo rocks above, from
whose high walls the sound OF dashing
waters is distinctly reverberated. JUS
beyond is the natural creek tunnel, ar
arched waterway formed by the Taller
boulders through which the stream
flows. Passing the stupendous Hang
| ing Rock, that makes US shudder lest i
| lose its equilibrium at that very moment
we are soon at Artists Glen, frem where