The Savannah morning news., 1903-09-27
THE YOHO VALLEY AND
THE GLACIAL ICE FIELDS
By CHARLES H. STRONG.

Through a driving snowstorm which
first enhanced all the mountain peaks
and re-whitened them with fresh
mantle of snow, then descended to the
valley, pouring in through the open
windows of the observation car, we
passed over the summit of the Rockies
and began the examination of the west
ern slopes. BY summit we mean the
highest point at which the railroad
crosses the range, not, of course, the
highest peak.
At the exact point of the
summit is a rustic arch, marked
with large wood-cut letters: 1.-The
Great Divide" and right there little
stream. divides, a few inches apart at
first, and then one Branch fiowsson I'M
ceasingIy to the Atlantic and the other
without pause to the Pacific ocean
an emblem of the separation of human
lives! Fortunately the snowstorm was
of short duration, as there are seven
miles just below the summit,
considered the grandest and. most
terrifying part of the first range.
These rude, unclothed Titans draw near
to each others on either side of the
valley, the gorge deepens until the riv-
er looks like a silver thread; the rail-
road, as if in fear clings to the bosom
of one range against the terrifying as
pect of the other; the background
peaks lift their hoary heads white with
snow locks, and from their
IL ri
ciers overhang the valleys and
seem ready to slide down with
their weight of rock and overwhelm
the presumptuous road. Inch by inch
the ascent is gained; then the whole
energy of the pent-up steam is put
forth to hold back the descending tram
down the steep grade of 116 feet to
the mile. AS the feet are told Off, one
by one, the scenery grows more grand;
fantastic peaks come into view, cathe-
dral spires, castellated crags, MASSIVE
bastions, dome-like masses, piercing ar
row-headS, sharp cones, groanlng I'M
der mighty glaciers which pour down
the roar of waters and the avalanche
of stones into the deep valleys below.
The tourists, all classes, hang at the
windows while this panorama is being
unfolded. Even the provincial English
man loses his porcupine stltfneSsi ne
drops his monocle and a half smile
warns his courtly face. l am remind
ed of what Punch says of his accus-
toned attitude of courteous alootness'
"Who eS you fellOw?" says one Cor
nish miner to another. "'E is a strang-
err" replies his mate. %" Fave 'arf
brick at him." is the immediate an
swer. "Heave half a brick at every
thing not English" is the way he goes
through the world. 1t is a great feat
for the Rocky mountain scenery that
l.; eff
The Yoho Valley.
But soon Field is reached, ten miles
down the descent of the western slopes.
Here another break in our journey
must be made to penetrate the Yoho
valley, which is the Canadian Yose-
mite Mr.. Edward Whymper, the
famous Alpinist, who is engaged at
this moment in walking the whole 500
miles of the Canadian Pacific Rall-
road in order to collect data for a
book UP the scenery of this region
says "The Yoho Valley resembles the
Yosemite, but it's environing mountains
are more elevated and magnificent" =
] climbed the valley with a couple or
Ca1ifornians, and from their testi-
mony, the question is still an open
one whether the Yoho is superior.
1t indicates how much of this region
is still UNEMPLOYED. when we remem-
with its surrounding mountains and
numerous overhanging glaciers. was,
though lying only ten miles back from
the railroad, entirely ignota terra until
few years ago. And then discovered
by accident. A hunter with his IN
dian guide. following big game, came
upon it unexpectedly and the exclama-
ton Of the Indian, "Takakkaw" ct Is
magnifcent) became fixed as the name
OF its wonderful waterfall
We left Field by wagon through n
beautiful arcade OF larch and fir trees.
with Mt. Vaux standing al one end
OF the lane and Mt. Emerald at the
other and reached Emerald Lake. high
up IN the lap of the mountains. light
sklmmering green AZ are al glacier
fed lakes. about duek Here one 81
'he beautiful cholets OF fhs Canadian
Pacihe Epiirosd. gave us warmth and
housing for the night--a never 20 be-
forgotten night for the moon was
VPt ana after much struggling rose
spoff The snow white peaks. and ice
ana rock ir the sofi light stood out
AasaAsa. Tess awful than iu fhn eaf'