Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-12-06
A WEEK IN THE ROCKIES.
Continued from first page.

tensive view is understandable. Eighty
miles to the north Denver can be re-
cognized; to the south Pueblo, and to
the west Cripple Greek. Manitou
seems only few feet away, yet it is
nine miles, while Colorado Springs,
fourteen miles. distant as the bird
flies, is near enough that the signs on
the stores may be read. Oftentimes
on the peak it is clear and bright,
while belle it is raining. The sun
rise and sunset on the peak are also
grand sights.
Descending from the peak two
natural curiosities may be found near
its base, the Cave of the Winds and
the Manitou Grand Caverns. From
the vestibule of the latter are three
routes leading to separate groups OF
chambers in the cave. Here one can
make an excellent collection of fossils !;
and these chambers are graced by
various stalagmites and stalactltes,
and formations of interesting char
acter. The famous stalactite organ
is here. where man beating on the
stalactities of various lengths plays
a number of different tunes. The
Gave of the Winds is very similar to
this, and All interesting place to
visit.
There are many other points OF in
terest about Colorado Springs, which
we have neither the time nor space
to describe. 1t is indeed one OF the
most delightful places on the con-
tinent to visit, and well worth the
time and expense incurred at any time
of the year.
Without doubt the greatest scenic
feature of this section is trip to the
Cripple Greek gold district over the
famous "Short Line" route. which
rises upward from Colorado Springs
and passes over the mountains to
Victor and Cripple Creek. The
magnificent panorama of mountain
scenery which is unfolded to view in
this trip of fortv-hve miles has no
equal in the world. Rising by steep
grades TO the very top OF the great
mountains, spanning mighty canyons,
and piercing the mountains through
nine different tunnels, crossing and
recrossing it's own pathway on the
sides of the mountains i'll It's struggle
for mastery over the forces of nature,
it finally succeeds in rising to an
altitude of 10, $50 feet. and taps the
richest gold producing district on the
face of the earth. More inspiring
scenery, more seemingly impossible
feats of railroad engineering, more
delightful surprises for the tourist
are crowded into these few miles of
railroad, costing four and one half
millions. that any similar spot of the
world affords. Here the forces of
nature have left their masterpieces
to impress the human mind with the
sublimitv of creation. Here may
be seen the grandest mountains Of the
continent. Rugged, storm-swept
mountain peaks, capped with snow
and suggestive of the eternal in their
still, solemn grandeur, giant canyons
crowded with pine trees and gor-
geous panorama CT noble valleys and
mountains in full view from the train,
stretching away in the distance for a
hundred miles and more
Coming in sight of the gold district,
a novel and interesting scene presents
itself to the view of the tourist who
visits this section for the first time.
Bull Hill, and the various mountains
in the gold district, about four by six
miles, are literally covered with
mines in operation, prospect holes
being worked and many more deserted,
some on an immense scale and others
just by some lonely, plodding miner
with pick and shovel. some destined
to life of poverty and hardship,
others to reap millions from the strike
almost always just little ahead of
them. Fourteen years ago gold was
first discovered here in paying
quantities. Since that time it has be-
come one of the greatest gold pro-
ducing districts in the world, and in
rapid development and the richness
Of its ores nothing like it has ever
been know before. In twelve years
these cattle ranges have been trans
formed into poIulous district of
5000 people. The production of gold
has Leen approximately $l65, TOO. 900
in value. In 1904 it was $22, 500, no.
One might protitably spend month
among these mines for this is one of
the most interesting sections of the
country. This delightful ride from
Colorado Springs to Cripple Greek has
been fittingly called 1.-THE one day
trip that bankrupts the English
language.
Leaving Colorado Springs over tine
Denver 81 Rio Grande we made the
trip in few hours to Denver where
we hoped to see as much of the beauti-
full scenery surrounding that city as
we could in the short space of day
and half. The trip to Denver was