Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1912-12-20

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
ent condition, the trip is we'll worth
aDybody's time and effort The majes-
~ OF this great cross, when viewed
close at hand. will never be forgotten
by the onlooker."
The Mount of the Holy Cross has
been source Of inspiration to poets
and painters for generations. Eugene
Field has written pretty legend con-
corning 1t. He tells Of a monk, who
Is informed in a vision that his sins
VIII not be forgiven until he finds
suspended between heaven and earth
tpo symbol of the faith. The monk
Journeys many years through many
iands, and at last he penetrates the
widest part Of the Rocky mountains.
and. beholding the cross on the noun
tain, falls to his knees in rapture,
knowing that the vision has been full
filled.
Assembled the Cross.
Several years ago two daring young
mountain-climbers made up their
minds to ascend the cross itself. After
long and perilous trip, they reached
the base Of the great chasm of rock
containing the snowbank which forms
the upright Of the cross. 1t is esti-
mated that this upright is at least l.
200 feet In length. while each Of the
side arms is about 300 or 400 feet.
These chasms. which are always
filed with snow. form a perfect cross.
When the surrounding SHOWS have
melted In summer, the snow in the
deep chasms of the cross remains un.
melted, and In July and August and
early September the cross looms up
an II painted in white on the granite
side Of the mountain.
The daring climbers ascended the
steep slope Of snow until they reach.
cd the arms Of the cross. One of them
had done some Alpine climbing. and
be brought an ak and rope. II was
necessary to cut many steps in the
icy slopes. The climbers were in
danger of losing their lives at every
step. but they actually climbed out
one OF the side arms, and from there
ranaged to descend in safety. That
Is the only time the cross itself has
ever been climbed, though Enos
Mills, probably the most celebrated
mountain-climber In the west, has
scaled the peak.
The Mount Of the Holy Cross ia
part OF the Saguache range. pro.
nounced "Sawatch." It is 14,170 feet
In height, according to official esti-
mates. Mount Massive, near Lead
Vile, Is part Of the same range and
Is the highest peak in Colorado. be-
ing 14.424 feet high. The Mount Of
the Holy Cross is higher than Pixies
Peak by 81 feet 1t is very rocky
on its summit, and contains little YER
dure, hence it is not used for sheen
grazing, as are some of the less pre-
cipitous peaks Of the Rockies
The mountain climbers of Colorado
recently organized Rocky Mountain
Climbing club, for the purpose of ex.
ploring the main peaks of the Great
Divide and adding to the general sum
OF information concerning the noun
tuins. The Mount of the Holy Cross
is one # the peaks to be ascended bv
the most skilled climbers in the
club. Maps will be made. routes for
trails will be recommended, and It ia
expected that the public will be given
much valuable information concern.
ins the mysterious mountain, whose
white symbol Is visible for manv
miles throughout the Holy Cross re-
gion. With the difficulties of the trim
smoothed away 1t is not unlikely that
the recent pilgrimage of Colorado
cburchmen will be repeated by many
who have heard of this unique moun-
tair