Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-09
TRIP TO MT. MITCHELL

TRIP TO MT. MITCHELL
Party Of Editors Enjoy Some Wonders
of Nature.
1t is quite possible for a capable
a wonderfully interesting descriptive
story Of trip from Montreal, N. c.,
to the top Of Mount Mitchell; but
such a story would hardly convey i'm
pressions to the mini Of the reader
that would detract from the interest
or pleasure Of a personal trip. The
proposition involves the principle Of the
kaleidoscope, in which, though no
two people may see exactly the same
thing. all may find equal enjoyment
in its wondrously beautiful changes.
The railroad by which the noun
tain Is reached, was not constructed
for scenic purposes; but rather to
facilitate the cutting of the timber off
the mountains. The first step in the
process was the erection Of an i'm
mense saw mill at Black Mountain.
Then a line Of track was built along
the foothills in such manner as to
most easily take care Of logs cut from
above, the logs being taken to the track
by means Of gravity. After the timber
cutting had proceeded to an extent
that placed the standing trees beyond
convenient reach, the track would
make curve or switch back to
considerably higher altitude, and in
this way 1t continued to mount until
1t was near the top Of the highest
ridges. 1t Is not to be understood
that the mountains above have been
denuded Of timber in the process,
for this Is not the case. The lumber
men have been after only certain kinds
Of trees beyond a certain size, and for
the most part have left other growths
along with thousands Of trees that
met their requirements; but could not
be reached except at loss. Also there
appears to have been reasonable re-
gard for the principles Of scientific
forestry.
But the passenger up and along the
mountain slopes does not have a great
deaf Of concern for these things. He
finds more interest in the scenery
the wooded slopes on one side and the
white clouds floating over and be-
tween the mountains below. He
passes through miles of ferns, rhodo-
dendron, galax, calacentheus, azalea,
laurel, trailing arbutus and innumer-
able other plants, shrubs and flowers.
The beauties Of all this splendid ex-
hibit Of natures profusion necessarily
compel the interest and pleasure Of
the beholder.
After the press party had progressed
we'll on it's way up the mountain. and
after the members had become some
what accustomed to the panoramic
beauties Of mountain piled on top
Of mountain, interest began to
center on the location Of Mt. Mitchell.
The situation was confusing, how
ever. because at times any one Of the
tall peaks that rose above it's fellows
in the immediate distance seemed
conspicuous enough to be the great
famous mountain that was the ulti-
mate object Of the trip. All were ia
miliar with the names and proximity
Of Graybeard, Clingman, Pinnacle and
other mountains; but no one seemed to
identify them satisfactorily Just
ahead was a tall mountain that every
body agreed was MITCHELL; but after
the train had gone around it there
arose another mountain still higher.
This experience was repeated until all
had been pretty we'll confused; but at
length Mitchell was partially identi-
fed not so much on account of his
over-towering height, as because of
shoulders by forest fires. There was 4
belt Of bare desolation around his
great bulk, two-thirds Of the way to
the top and the remaining third was
thickly covered with what appeared
to be scrubby growth Of timber
and underbrush. The train came to
a stop at a station consisting of a
store and several shacks and several
dug-outs, and after partaking Of a
hearty lunch brought from the hotel,
the party was ready for the ascent
The trail leads directly up the noun
tain, and holds out but little promise
of other than long, steady climb, and
it is not deceptive. The only relief
promised is the rest afforded at rough
benches that have been constructed at
reasonably close intervals along the
route
The members Of the party who had
the forethought to make proper pro-
vision along that line, had drawn
heavy overcoats about them long
before they reached the railroad
station. The atmosphere was uncom-
fortably cool for light summer dress,
and the wraps were needed. But af
ter the first few hundred yards over
coats We're discarded as being too un-
comfortable. The first part Of the
journey led through the bare waste
caused by the forest fire already re-
ferred to; but near the top the path
leads through a tangle jungle Of trees
and underground, over black sloppy
soil Of indefinite depth, and across
swampy rills that demand care in
passage. 1t is only necessary to turn
from the upward incline to be re-
minded Of a low country swamp.
The top Of the mountain, which is
$50 feet above the point where the
climb is commenced at the railroad
track, is partly bare rocks, and partly
rich soil that gives vigorous life to
thick vegetation including spruce
pines. fur trees, hemlocks, chestnut
and the like. About the apex there is
standing room for thousand or more
people. but they would have to be
careful Of their footing, if they should