The daily sentinel., 1914-05-26
AN ADVENTURE IN THE ROCKIES
CDR. Il. Il. Eldridge.) J

/ timid doe or challenging buck silent
iy eye us from a distance. to dart
away out of sight moment later
Thus the morning passed, noon
finding us near the "Caldrons" so
named on account of their resem-
blanee to great kettles. They are
holes in the rocks excavated by the
continual dropping of water until
they are capable of holding many
barrels, which during the dry sum
mer furnishes water for the traveller
as well as bird and beast. Here We
replenish out water bag, partake of
our lunch and rest a little.
Again we are climbing, but less
rapidly. as we are approaching the
top which among the high Rockies is
generally less rugged, and is not too
high, covered with the most delicate
flowers at this time of the year.
Crossing the divide which is al
most imperceptible on account of the
gradual incline, we are vending our
way toward the setting sun, and ap-
preaching the appointed meeting
place, wondering Just what may be
awaiting us when, in making a turn
around the shoulder of rock which
projects into our line of march. |
discover n small campfire with fry
ing pan, coffee pot and other cook
ing utensils, and little to the
right, bubbling from beneath the
cool and limpid waters of Indian
Spring. Dismounting | am apprised
of the fact that the long ride has
rendered walking very painful, as
the muscles are sore and stiff, but
Of find on
legs" again, and are about to un-
saddle when a horseman approaches.
offering his hand in welcome and
thanking me for the promptness with
which l complied with his request.
Uttering low whistle. two assistants
appear, one of which takes care of
the horses, while the other finishes
preparations for the meal, and
spreading some blankets on the
ground invites us to the repast which
We heartily enjoy, followed by rest
for an hour or so when my guide in
quires If | am ready to continue the
| journey. Answering in the affirma-
tive the horses are brought and we
are again on our way. winding about
through the most rugged country
had ever seen. Rocks varying in
size from that of dry goods box to
city blocks are scattered about in
the most wonderful confusion, hav-
ing been dislodged from the wall that
rises far above. while to the left and
hundreds of feet below may be seen
the silver thread of beautiful
site flashing in the glow of har-
vest moon, just rising above the hoary
head of Mount Waas and painting
the canyon in fantastic shades of
changing light and shadow. while
the Imagination peoples the dark
ravines with fitting spirits who
launch the mighty storms of winter,
or paint the beautiful pictures that
enhance these wild and desolate
peaks, as their fancy dictates.
With many turn and steep de-
scent our trail leads to the creek
bed when we begin to climb the 9TH
er side closely following up small
stream which had worn its tortuous
way through the triasic formation,
now clogged with an immense amount
of tumble.
Occasionally we reach point
where the vision is somewhat ex-
tended, but before we have time to
gain anything more than cursory
view we descend again into the
shadow So the night wears on. our
guide seeming to have reached the
end of the trail many times, but al
!. ways finding an outlet and leading on
through some unseen defile until the
gray of the morning begins to show
above the rugged skyline to the
east And finally after 1t seemed
as though l had grown to my saddle
we came out on to level shelf OF
rock about half way between the bed
j of a canyon below and the cliff
!, above. Here large pool OF potable