The Daily Missoulian., 1911-07-16
(Ry Morton j. Elrod.)

(By Morton j. Elrod.)
Jimmy! We can't carry all this
truck over Gunsight pass on these
horses. We will have to pack one of
the saddle horses. That big over
hanging rock by Lake Louise will hit
the packs If they are left too high
said Scott. the guide.
Pack my horse, then I do not>mnd
walring." | replied. fibbing a little at
the time.
you VII not want to ride all the
way anyhow
why not?"
You will see later"
The horses were packed and started
off over the trail to the pass Slow
" they climbed the steep talus slope.
1900 feet from the lake to the sum-
nit At the summit we revelled In
the gorgeous view on either side. To-
ward the southeast. on tho slope of
Mt. Jackson, a small glacier gent down
trickling silvcry stream. On the
opposite side Of the mountain lies the
Big Biackfoot glacier. which is our
objective point,
The trail down leads into n jack
pot After a descent of 500 feet along
the cliffs II turns again upward. With
climb higher than the pass. then
makes descent over mass OF snow
and boulders. Over these the horses
pick their way with great effort To
one stumbling along behind they seem
very tinv creatures on the pig noun
tain. With great caution and intelli-
gence they work back and forth among
the bou'ders. Soon one or the rider.
reins In his horse with sharp
whoa" and quickly rolls out Of the
saddle on the uphill side. Those fol-
lowing do the same. Then the full
Significance OF Scott's statement IL
understood The trail is wide enough
for the horses to walk upon with a
very steep slope below. Then comes
precipice. The veteran mountaineer
rides serenely on. but the inexperi-
enced find riding hard on the nerves
and prefer to walk Yet the animals
never stumble. for they are sharp
shod before and behind. and have been
over the trail many times.
Camp at Gunsight lake. 1900 feet
below the pass. gives the first glimpse
OF the glacier 1t lies to the south.
tain, as seen from the camp. The
greater portion Ia invisible. being hid
den from sight by Mount Jackson,
on whose face much OF the ice rests.
{ AS the setting sun reflects from the
dark red sandstone of Blackfot and
the yellow argillaceous shale of Jack
son. above the mass OF white snow
and ice. miles away. the varying tnts
make blending Of colors that is very
charming. As we sat In. camp and
slipped our coffee, we watched the SUM-
light fade on the submits. The
shadows heightened as the darkness
approached, and the black forests be-
came blacker still as twilight faded
into darkness Then the full moor
rose from behind Almost "a Dog noun.
tain. flooding the mountains, the
glacier. the wooded valleys, and oul
camp with soft, mellow light.
How beautiful the mountains are
when the moon is shining. And how
beautiful the moon Is over the noun.
tain tops 1t Is no uncommon thinf
10 lie awake half or even all OF thu
night looking at the moon above th'
mountains, and, strange to relate, on,
feels almost as refreshed as If he hat
slept AL night. On this occasion tn
moon rose from behind Almost "a Dog
was at the highest over Blackfoot, AM
disappeared behind Jackson.
Camp at Gunsight lake is quite dif
ferent from camps at other places, al
though in many respects all camp
are alike. Which ever way one looked
his gaze rested on one object. not OF
many The eye took In but one noun
tain. or glacier or pass at time
Time and again the members of ou
party remarked on the attractivenes
OF the view. To the south was tn
glacier flanked by Blackfoot noun
tain. To the right Of this was Jack
son, then Gunsight pass Next come
Gunsight mountain. then Fusillad'
Going to -the-sun, Citadel, Almost a
Dog. and the complete circle has bee
made. Never are these twice alik'
Going to- the-Sun Is the favorite 10
beauty. Its golden yellow SUNNI