Semi-weekly herald., 1915-06-03


the mountain to dizzy height, sew
eral thousand feet above the sur
rounding country, presenting a glor-
ious view, for distance of one hun
dred miles or more, to the beholder.
The road is constructed in safe and
substantial manner, fully ten feet in
width, and is about one and one
quarter mile in length from the base
of the mountain until it reaches a
point several thousand feet above the
plain. At this place, the road leaves
the mountain side and crosses over
into Moorfield canon, wherein it runs
for half a dozen miles to point
where it leaves the valley and zig
zags up, over, and down large noun
tain into Prater's canon through which
it winds on its upward way some few
miles and begins to ascend a noun
tain on the left side of the canon,
climbing from base to top, and over,
and through number OF canons until
it finally brings US to the Mesa Verde
park proper. At many places on the
road, one obtains a magnificent view
of the surrounding country and
mountains hundreds of miles distant.
AT one point, at an altitude of about
eight thousand feet, one can see Ship
rock, sixty miles distant, and noun
tains to the westward one hundred
and fifty miles away. Also from this
same place one can see very curious
formation, caused by the indentions
in the mountains. 1t is called the
Sleeping Ute,s and ore, without much
difficulty can imagine he sees the
outline of form lying prone upon
its back, with toes, knees, breast,
chin and head family to be discerned.
The mountain group which forms this
figure is many miles in extent.
After a delightful ride of three
hours, we finally arrived, as have
said, at the entrance to the park,
which is covered with white and red
cedar, about thirty to forty feet high,
forming a beautiful and charming
landscape. The road which leads to
the camp is about forty feet in width,
and with the foliage on either side,
forms a most picturesque driveway,
possibly as beautiful one as exists
anyplace in the United States. 1t
might be well to say here, that that
part of the road, built and cared for
under the park management, is in
good condition and twenty miles of
it is in the mountains. Also that the
park was established by the govern
ment in 1906 and is under the direct
control Of the secrtary of the interior.
1t contains six hundred and one-half
square miles, about forty-nine thous-
and acres. 1t is high mesa divid-
ing the Mancos and Montezuma val
leys and rises nearly two thousand
feet above the surrounding country,
a spot having the appearance of hav-
ing been cultivated at some remote
period.
We arrived at the camp at $3.50
p. M, and having arranged for dinner
at o'clock, we Immediately started
for Balcony ruins in the cliffs on the
side of Soda canon. These ruins are
thousands of feet above the surface
of the canon, and must be seen to be
appreciated. From here, we went to
the Cliff palace ruins located in Ruin
canon. These are very extensive and
are said to be the largest so far ex-
plored. They were capable of hold
ing several thousand inmates. l will
not attempt to describe them nor the
manner of our entrance into and from
them, as it would take many pages.
Suffice it to say that we had excel
lent and competent guides in Mr.. Rick
ner and Mr.. Franch, who took us
through many labyrinths and passes
before returning to the camp. A full
round moon shown in all its splendor
and beauty and all nature seemed to
rest. No sound emitted by any liv-
ing thing was heard outside the camp.
1t was q tremendous change from the
world outside. With these impress
sions and with the wonderful works
of an Omnipotent God above and
around us, we retired to our tents for
the night.
Early next morning, after a fine
breakfast, we started to visit Spruce
Tree ruins in Spruce Tree canon. De-
scending several hundred feet to the
bottom of the canon, we crossed over
and up to the former homes of the
cliff dwellers in the caverns of the
rocks, There were originally about
200 rooms, kivas, and other apart
ments, capable of holding several
hundred dwallarc Thara roorus ora