The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-07-19

| just below Bear Gap, in the summit
of the Cascade range. From the camp
to the mine the sixteen miles of road
was built by the mining company at
a cost of $4,000. over this the
supplies of the mine are hauled. Con-
sidering the difficulties necessary to
overcome, this road was in pretty
good condition for the automobiles,
which climbed the hills and went
over the rough places in a most in
credible way.
This part of the trip was probably
the toughest of the whole sxty-eight
miles, but with rare skill Barney and
Case piloted their machines, which
were the firt to go over that portion
of the road, in safety to the camp OF
the mining company. This camp was
the highest altitude in the county of
Yakima reached by an automobile.
In any event. no machine had ever
before reached this hitherto inacces-
sible place. but it is expected that in
years to come the sight of an auto
mobile will not cause the surprise
to the miners that the two machines
did on their arrival Wednesday, July
l12. That they survived the trip up
without a puncture or other serious
accident was due to the durability Of
the machines and the skill of their
drivers.
Food for Government Workers
Ahead of the automobiles were two
stages carrying a score or more of
men to the government reclamation
works at Dumping lake. When the
North Yakima party reached camp
they We're met by hungry lot of men
who asked If they had anything to
eat On the way up Barney had taken
on board a hamper of food prepared
for the men at Darlington's place.
This was hailed with cheers and then
devoured. Dumping lake lis several
miles south of Elizabeth Gold Hill
mine with high ridge of peaks in
jtervening.
Frank Nagler, the genial secretary
of the mining company, was host Of
the party, who We're we'll taken care
of, some sleeping in the mess hall and
others in the machine shops and
barns. Three meals were served here
to the visitors, being prepared by
Mr.. Nagler's cook, who is reputed to
be the best in this region, and the
grub bore testimony to the fact.
On the Divide
Early Thursday morning, the whole
party headed for Bear Gap, through
,JaI, - t.
ic route TO Mount RainierTacoma.
1t took an hour to climb to this
eminence. which is 1882 feet above
sea level. Highway Commissioner
Roberts, with County Commissioners
Olson and Lemay and the Herald rep
resentative, passed over the ridge
into Pierce county and for some
distance followed the trail that led
down toward Crystal creek to White
river and over to Tacoma or Seattle,
routes over which a highway might
be built.
Returning to the summit Of the
divide this portion or the party
climbed to the top of Crown Point
having an altitude of $40 feet, this
being the highest point Whereabouts.
The wonderful panoramic view that
met their gaze at this point was
worth the effort, for towering above
the lesser peaks of the range could
be seen the snow caps Of Mount
Adams to the south, Mount ST. Hell
tens and then Mount Rainier Tacoma,
only twelve miles away. it's great pile
Of ice and snow glistening in the
sun.
Some of the other members of the
party. who had joined Chief Engineer
Whit in a casual survey of the route
that might be taken by the proposed
road around to Bear Gap, Joined in
taking this view. In making the as
cent to this point. the trail led over
a snowfield about an eighth of a mile
in extent.
On the way back to camp, various
members of the party came around
by the claims of the Elizabeth Gold
Hill Mining company and entered the
tunnels. from which gold, silver,
copper and lead ore is being taken in
paying quantities. The building of a
road to this place will mean much to
- to, nj ha