The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-08-04


-.
ing here for a day or two or even a
week, constantly changing outlook
Is had. and an excellent view is apt to
be secured during the time. The night
view is regarded by many as being
even better than that by day, as
towns and cities are located by their
lights.
From the Summit.
A general description of the view
would be impracticable so will
only touch on such points as are Of
general interest to Journal readers
Seminary Hill in Montpelier, part of
Barre and Graniteville are discern
able by day and more plainly at night.
South iIui.u gton, Fort Ethan Allen
and Essex Junction are easily picked
out by night. A clear day permits a
Isle nearly to the southern end. Mt.
Mansfield is the only peak above us,
while the White Mountains and Ad-
irondacks are visible on clear days
without a glass. A myriad little
villages, many rivers and ponds, are
picked out on clear day, with or
without glass.
To me the weather conditions were
an interesting study. To live among
the clouds is certainly something out
of the ordinary. Up here it is no mere
figure of speech. The other day,
shortly after sunrise, the Hill was
eneloped in a bewilder eddy of
clouds and fleecy masses were driven
down to the camp. Later the clouds
clo'ad in on us and one could see
At short distance on the plateau
here. AS the day come ON. the wind
carried the clouds eastward. and in
the afternoon, aside from a smoky
haze, the view was good AS | write,
the rain is beating on the tent in
gusts, the summit is obscured W h
clouds and it is rather dark. In Mont
peIier the sun may be shining.
The Biological Formation.
The rocks and cliffs about here and
on the summit would prove an al
most inexhaustible field for a study
to one interested in geology. To the
nonscfentfic they have the appear
ance of been heaped up here like
bread dough, by a Master hand. The
cliffs show folds and convolutions
describable in no Other way The sum-
NIT is bc'na Slowly hun o"sstantly
crumblet away by tic acton q. wind,
water aad frost. Hundreds of pieces
of rock, some of them weighing humid
reds of Loas, have been detached and
fallen part way down the slope.
Above the camp level, all trees are
soft wood. short and stunted, es-
pecially on the west and northwest
faces. Considerable grass is found
on the summit
Visitors From Far and Near.
The camp has had visitors from
most of the States of the Union. in
Guiding Colorado, and none of them
has expressed and disappointment at
the view. City dweller or country
man. no matter from where. no one
with love of the sublime will re-
greet the eli 10 10 the summit Of the
Lion Couchant, as Samuel dc Cham
plain is said to have named it.
The camp is not run for money, but
for the benefit of those who visit
Cameis Hump, and among these it is
disappointing to find some who do
not appreciate it, Mangled trees,
broken glass and bits of paper testify
| to the presence of some who think
only of their own pleasure, with no
regard for those who will come after
them. If each one would do his or
her little part. no one would have
much to do and Cancels Hump would
be preserved as it is for future gem
erations.
Has Interesting History.
lie Lion Couchant, Camel's Rump
L
and Camel's Hump, as it has various
ly been called, has good deal OF in
teresting history connected with it.
to be ascertained from those whose
age makes them familiar with it,
There was once a coach road part
way, bride path up the steep slope
and a house or hotel within 20 feet of
where this is WI itten.
Camels Hump is not for the man
who requires valet or the woman
in ball gown; but for those who viii
put on their old clothes, put pack on
their back and come up here, day or
a week of quiet enjoyment in camp
among the clouds is assured