Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-08-29
IN THE PIXIES
PEAK REGION.
A TRIP TO THE TOP OF THIS WONDER.
FUL MOUNTAIN.
THROUGH CHEYENNE CANON
A Day at Manitou the Wonderful Mineral
Springs, up Williams Canon and TEN.
pie Drive. the Cave Of the Wind,
and Ute Pass.

pie Drive. the Cave Of the Wind,
and Ute Pass.
Few persons visit Colorado Springs
or the "Pike's Peak Region" with.
out making a trip to the top OF
Pixies Peak, the highest point in that
section of the Rockies, and one of the
most historic landmarks of the west.
1t is perhaps better known than any
OF the great mountain peaks of the
Rockies, and is without doubt visited
more than any other. It's altitude is
IA, l47 feet, but the newcomer who
sees it for the first time can scarce be.
lieve that it is really Pixies Peak,
for he is surprised that it does not ap.
IDear to tower way above the noun.
tains about it. But after mastering
the old giant, its great height and
distances, and looking down on the
mountains about it, its great super
iority is readily discernible.
It'has been we'll said that Pixies
Peak is unrivalled among American
mountains. No other name holds so
prominent place in connection with
western exploration and occupation.
While other peaks in the Rocky
Mountain chain may surpass Pixies
Peak in elevation and in massiveness,
there are certainly none that surpass
it in grandeur or diversion of outline
nor in historic interest.
Authentic lore of this monument
of the continent dates from November
l3. 1906, when Major Zebulon M.
Pike, a gallant soldier and daring
adventurer, then heading small ex-
ploring party of United States SOL
diers. sighted the mountains whiten-
ed crest when many miles distant
upon the plains. 1t cost him ten
days. marching to reach its base and,
after vigorous attempts to scale it.
Pike abandoned the project with the
declaration that ''No human being
could ascend to its pinnacle. -
There are many ways of ascending
the Peak. In the old days there was
only a trail that was constructed by
the government, which for many
years had signal station ON the sum-
NIT. Later wagon road was built.
Later came the cog road. Many, how
ever, enjoy the climb to the summit
and in the summer months it is
common sight to find parties of young
men and women starting out for the
summit at evening, anticipating the
splendid views at sunrise.
The usual way of making the ascent
is by the famous Cog Road, an ex-
ample of modern enterprise and en-
gineering skill. The supposedly inac-
cessible mountain has been conquered.
At cost of nearly million dollars,
this road. with an average grade of
S46 feet to the mile, has been built to
its very summit. Comfortably seated
in an observation car you are pushed
slowly. but surely, up nine miles of
wonderful stairway, until you have
reached, without any exertion on your
part, one of the highest eminences on
the globe. Above the earth; above
the clouds; only the sky overhead
all the world beneath. Around you,
an unobstructed view limited only
by the bounds of vision. On the
west lie the vast Cordilleras stretch.
ing in their rugged grandeur over a
boundless expanse, their snowy out.
lines fretting the distant horizon; to
the east is the limitless plain. The
contour of the whole country lies
before you as far as the eye can reach.
The course of the Arkansas River may
be clearly traced as it winds its tor.
tuous way through the great range tC
the level country. On the south
appear the sharp points of the Spanish
Peaks, and further to the south and
west, the Sangre de Cristo Range,
clothed in dazzeling whiteness. TC
the north is Longs Peak, Gray's
Peak, and the Continental Divide.
The principal cities of the State lie
at your feet, Denver on the north
Pueblo on the south, while nearer a,
hand are Colorado Springs and the
great mining towns of Cripple Creel
and Victor.
In all the Pixies Peak Region ther,
is no spot more picturesque, beautiful
and awe-inspiring than Cheyenn,
Canon. Just inside the gate are tn,
two tremendous cliffs. "The Pillar
of Hercules. They seem to stan,
squarely across the canon. completely
filling it and demanding halt. TIL,
way seems barred, and the stranger i
at loss to know which way to go
On either side are perpendicula