The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-07-12

human being could ascend TO that sum-
nit, but in the fall of 1906, he and his
party of soldiers made an effort to reach
the top of the mountain. 1t took ten
days marching to reach its base, and
after vigorous attempt to scale it, Pike
abandoned the project
The first plan for constructing rail
road to the summit of Pixies Peak was
conceived in 1884 when work was com
menced and eight miles graded for
line which was intended to reach that
point by zigzag route thirty miles in
length with per cent. maximum
grade; but, owing to lack of funds, the
work was abandoned The feasibility
of the Manitou and Pixies Peak Railroad
as now constructed, was conceived in
1888. Grading was commenced in 1899
and the golden spike was driven October
90, 1890 and the highest railroad in the
world was completed.
This railway differs in two respects
from ordinary railroads; first, in the
heavy grade, which in nine miles makes
an ascent of Z, 5lS feet second, the sys'
TEN of rack rail used, which forms
continuous track into which ninety
different cogs of the engine work.
The roadbed is from 10 to % feet wide.
To prevent the moving of the track 146
anchors are imbedded into the solid
rock. The locomotives are Of peculiar
appearance and are equipped with six
cog wheels operating from a main drum
at the middle of the engine. The cogs
Of these wheels fit into the teeth of the
made to climb the steepest grades. The
locomotive weighs % tons and is of 900
horse power. The coaches are finely
finished and have large windows to
facilitate observation. Each coach has
a seating capacity for fifty persons. The
engine pushes the Car in going up the
mountain and precedes it when coming
down
1t is difficult to describe what may be
seen from n train ascending Pike Peak
A picture for the mind of the constantly
changing panorama can reach it only
through the eye,
The scenes and points Of interest along
the wonderful line are many. Passing
into the canon, to the left, are the Shady
Springs On either side, extending far
and wide, are rocks and stones. Looking
down from their elevated positions are
Cog and Magog. Now we enter the
Grand Pass, where for 1000 feet the
putting engine pushes up one of the
longest and steepest inclines on the
whole line. To the right are Echo Falls
named from the Echo Rocks above. On
the right are Sheltered Falls, protected
by massive bodies of over-hanging rocks
A little farther and Minnehaha Falls
comes into view, one of the prettiest
scenes on the road. Leaving this spot
the traveller passes the Devils Slide
Towering above on the opposite side is
Grand View Rock. A few minutes more
and we come upon the Half Way House,
a snug little hotel, where short stop is
made. The journey is soon continued
up through the ragged walls of He'll
Gate and into RuXton Park, over which
Bald and Sheep Mountains stand as
sentinels. Here for over two miles a
level stretch can be seen covered by pine
and aspen. Farther on to the left, is
Sheep Rock and Lions Gulch where a
good view of the The Grand Old
Mountain'i is had. After passing Timber
Line 1l, 57S feet above sea level great
field of broken rock is crossed, where
small alpine plants and mosses grow.
be seen glimmering far below on the
left. One and one-half hours after
leaving Mantou the train reaches the
summit ana a mighty panorama of co.
600 square miles is spread out before the
traveller. A magnificent view now greets
the bewildered eye To the east are
plains, rivers and fields dotted over with
cities and villages. To the west thou
sands of mighty mountains protruding
their crests above the clouds To the
south are Seven Lakes and the mountains
of New Mexico To the north are the
abyss, Gray's and Longs peaks, Denver,
Castle Rock, and Manitou Park. The
top of the peak comprises several acres,
comparatively level, strewn with rocks.
The Summit hotel is a substantial and
comfortable building. Within the hotel
is a lunch room, II telegraph Office and
souvenir store. On top of the building
is an observatory, hnilt of steel. 1t con.
tains a powerful telescope that aids in
viewing distant objects. After spending
forty-fve minutes on the summit, the
engine blows warning note The time
is up and the passengers board the train
and return to Manitou after knowing
the sensation Of looking from a noun
tain top over miles and miles of the
earth 8 surface This sensation affords
the tourist an indelible recollection.
Il. S. G..
A Close Call.
While out canoeing on the river Mon
day evening, Edward Brei and Clarence