The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-08-17
GREAT MOUNT
''' '''' MlqCHBLL,.
IT'S DIFFICULT ASCENT.
The Magnificent and Splendid
Scenery.
written for rhe Commonwealth

The mountains of Western North
Carolina present nothing more inter
esting than the ascent of Mitchell from
! the Black Mountain side. One making
this trip must dive from the little
village of Black Mountain to Tyson's
"Mounrain House," eight miles away
Here the ascent is begun. II there be-
ladies in the party they had best pro
cure mules or sure-footed horses, tor
the distance is twelve miles.
The first few miles are easy, for We
follow wagon path along the course
of turbulent mountain stream
Finally, however, this path dwindles
into a narrow trail which gradually
leaves the stream and turns 10 the
mountain side. For miles yet, the
sound of the stream reaches the travel
er's ear as he trudges up the now steep
trail, which winds in and out to avoid
a sudden climb. We are now beyond
the sound of human habitation, and
the ascent has fairly begun.
The woods which cover the noun
tain sides are redolent with the odor O!
Mountain Laurel and Rhoda Dendron,
which grow on every side, and reson-
ant with the songs OF many birds.
Now and then we hear the chatter of
| hn ~ hoI
nut, as it falls with a heavy thud,
dropped from the top OF tall tree.
AS yet there is little but local scenery,
tor we have reached no clear space
from which we can overlook the trees
we are entirely unable to Judge OF the
distance we have come because OF the
winding way.
Now, we trudge on almost without a
word, for the ascent is becoming steep
and the climber foot-sore and exhaust
ed. We have gone many miles-per-
haps half the distance. Grad ually the
rrai becomes less steep, our pack-mule
| Gf it has made the trip before) quick
ems its pace, and suddenly we emerge
into an open space, covered with short
grass. To the right, at the foot OF
small cedar, bubbles sparkling spring.
This is the "half-way house." Here,
in the days OF Vance, stood a lonely
mountain house. Here rested the
body of DR.. Mitchell during the night
on its last ascent OF the mountain he
had measured. But the "house" is
gone now and its only remains is pile
OF stones which served for pillars.
Yes, we have made half the distance.
I've have still six miles to go. We re-
lease our mule aud allow it to Craze
while we slake our thirst and gaze at
the scene before US. We are standing
on level space of about half an acre.
Below US lies the wooded slope that We
have just ascended. Al its foot lies Il
narrow valley and beyond rises another
mountain. II the distance we seq the
blue outline of the ridge.
| After a short rest we move on. Again
the trail becomes steep, the tall trees
disappear. We are crossing the line
beyond which grows nothing but
balsam, and soon find ourselves passing
through an almost impene trable growth
of the same. At times we emerge
upon small level spaces, on the noun
tain side, from which we obtain clear
view. A rock thrown, it is said, from
one of these falls mile before striking.
We are climbing Clingman's Peak, for,
to reach Mitchell, we must climb three
other peaks. Soon we reach a point
from which, In the distance, We get a
view of Mitchell. There, on its bare
top, solitary, rising above all else
around it, stands the monument of DR..
Elisha Mitchell. For a moment we
gaze upon this mecca toward which 20
many tourists turn their wandering
steps; then turn away in silence and
resume our march.
After descending from Clingman's
ard climbing for some distance the
side uf Mitchell, we find ourselves in
! another open space. Here gushes
forth spring as clear as crystal and
I cold as ice. We are at the foot of the
, iral ascent. Just above us (but out of
sight) is the highest point of Mount
Mitchell. To reach this height the
| climber must gather his tagging ener-
gy and put forth one supreme effort.
, But the reward is doubly worth the
| effort, for suddenly he finds himself in
+ an open space, overlooking everything
, around it. To west, south and east
: one can see peak upon peak for miles
. and miles. The whole is covered with
} carpet Of velvety green which be.
i comes less and less distinct till it faces
! into blue haze in the distance. Fer.
. chance it is clear afternoon. The1
. we see sight that can never be for
T gotten. The setting sun shoots hji