Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1904-09-08

great variety of shrubs and flowers
Going from the Yellowstone country.
the place seemed a perfect paradise of
flowers. Over hundred species were
collected in that vicinity in four weeks.
The Station was established for the
purpose of studying the biology of
Montana, and excursions are made
every year for that purpose.
One of the most interesting and most
profitable of these excursions was the
one up MacDougal peak. The day be-
fore the start had been cloudy and
rainy and Friday, the day selected for
the climb, was also cloudy and cool.
There was first drive of about eight
miles to the foot of the mountain.
Camp was made there and dinner pre-
pared. BY one o'clock the party was
nearly ready to begin the climb. Each
person was supplied with small par
atine (waterproof) bag containing some
Bent's water crackers, a cookev. some
raisins, Jumps of sugar, dried apricots
Ito chew on) and liberal piece of
cheese. hese were to last until camp
was made again at night. OF course,
all wore heavy shoes armed with hobs
and the ladies wore very short skirts.
Three men were to follow the walkers
with pack horses carrying tents for the
ladies, bedding and food and cooking
utensils. Seven were to walk and thev
started ahead. Since the way was
new to most of the party, they were
obliged to walk single file up an old
Indian trail. A special order was
followed and to make sure no one was
lost everyone must keep his or her
place III the line. 1t had probably
been about year since a party had
been up the trail last and it was over
grown with. bushes and branches of
trees. These were laden with moisture
and it is needless to say that before the
climb had progressed very far all had
received liberal supply of water. In
tact, before the first summit was reach
ed water was wrung from skirts and
shoes and stockings were soaked.
Halts were made at intervals for those
who were tired, and these were enlivened
by the singing of "I've been working
on the Railroad and the telling of
stories. The first part of the climb
was comparatively easy, which some
one remarked must be the ''toes of the
foot.' Then the 'Iast water' was
reached, canteens were filled with
water) and the climb begun in earnest.
When the 'leg" was begun all felt
that the way was steep and that climb
ing was hard work as we'll as good
sport. AT about three o'clock "First
Summit, sort of secondary peak,
was reached and it seemed utterly inn
possible to go farther. Feet were
weary, clothes were wet, bodies cold
(after stop of a few minutes) and
stomachs seemed empty. However,
after partaking of some of the tid-bits
stored in the little bags and being re-
freshed at the canteens, everyone,s
spirits seemed to revive and a fresh
start was made with new vigor. The
climb now went downward for a few
feet and then up to notch. The rest
of the afternoon was consumed in
reaching the camping ground through
the notch, within few hundred feet of
the peak. A snowdrift was crossed
just below the notch, and snow was
lying in little hollows everywhere with
in walking distance. And oh, the
flowers! Buttercups, dogs tooth vio-
lets, spring beauties, anemones, wind