Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-11-22


~ has given the famous Mount
of the Holy Cross its name.
several Colorado churchmen partici-
pated in a unique and impressive COM
memorative service short time ago.
Bishop Benjamin Brewster, Arch
deacon Dennis, Rev. ]. W. Hard OF
Glenwood Springs, and Rev. r. =.
Smith of Grand Junction, Colo. braved
the hardships of one of the toughest,
steepest trails in the Rocky mountains
In order to make long-contemplated
pilgrimage to the Mount OF the Holy
Cross. The staff and scrip of these
modern pilgrims was represented by
blanket rolls, knapsacks, grub and
religious vestments. Supplies were
packed on burros as far as those faith
full and sure-footed animals could be
taken. Then the pilgrims struggled
the rest of the way on foot, crawling
over huge boulders and risking life
and limb until at last they had reach
ed a place on Notch mountain, far
above timber line, from which glori-
GUS view of the Mount Of the Holy
Cross rewarded their efforts
After selecting large rock as the
altar. the churchmen donned their re-
ligious vestments, and the commem-
orative service was held, after which
the altar was marked with a cross OF
loose stones.
lnsplratjon for Artists.
Bishop Brewster's missionary dis
trict in western Colorado includes the
Mount of the Holy Cross, which has
inspired poets and painters for gen.
erations. A trip to the mountain has
been long In contemplation and
short time ago the start was made
from Red Cliff. The difficulties of
the tourney we're we'll understood by
the churchmen, who have all lived
in the Rocky mountain country many
years. There are only two available
routes from Red Cliff, one being IS
miles long, with mountain climb at
the end and the other up the can
yon. a route some six or eight miles
In actual length, but taxing the
strength of the best mountain climber
all the way The latter route was
chosen, with a miner of the neighbor-
hood as a guide.
The dignified churchmen scrambled
up the creek bed, alternately pushing
and pulling the burros on which had
been packed their camp equipage.
Camp was made at night, well up the
divide, and the next morning the bur
ros were left behind, while the pill
gr.ms started on the rough and peril
GUS part of the ascent After climb
ing the divide, the clergymen found
Notch mountain looming in the fore
ground. Notch mountain faces the
Mount of the Holy Cross From its
top one can look across great rock
strewn basin, above timberline, and
can get the full majesty Of the giant
cross of snoY which gives the larger
mountain its name. Notch mountain,
above timberlne, is simply great
pile of boulders, thrown together as
If from the wheelbarrow of some
giant workman. Scrambling over these
boulders proved hard and dangerous
work, and with torn clothes and
bleeding hands the clergymen finally
stood on the summit and commanded
superb view of the object of their
trip.
A storm was threatening but as
the religious service on the mountain
progressed. the clouds lifted and the
cross of snow doomed white in the
sunshine. The clergvmen unite in
declaring that It YVES the most impres-
sive hour of their lives Snow fields
were on every hand. and the pine-clad
Rockies stretched out below. In the
Immediate vicinity, however, there
ers and grasses that flourish above
| timberline. even In the rockiest local
tiles. Longs Peak and other promi-
nent mountains could be seen in the
distance, and to the north the i'm
pressive Gorge range was outlined
against the sky.
There should be some means Of let
ting the public glimpse this impress
sive spectacle" said Rev. F. G. Smith.
who took part in the Holy Cross serv-
ice. This view is one Of the greatest
in the world, beyond all doubt A trail
could be made from Red Cliff, which
would enable tourists to make the
round trip in day. with an early
start. Even with the trail in Its pres