The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-03-19
MORE ABOUT THE BACKUS
WATERWAY CONVERSION PROJECT.
Paul Ris Writes the Value Of the Superior National Forest in
its Natural State as the Only Real Playground america
paul B. Riis in the Bulletin.)

paul B. Riis in the Bulletin.)
The great system of National
Parks in the United States, the
National Forests and other parts of
the public domain not so allotted,
contain many areas of extreme
Scenic beauty and recreational value.
Grand Canyon National Park is.
stupendou9 spectacle of soil ero-
sion; the Yellowstone presents mas
terpieces of natural phenomena; in
Sequoia National Park, one nnds
the glory and sombreness of the
great forests; the Yosemite is our
most beautiful valley, and in Gla-
cier, Rainier and Rocky Mountain
Parks, we have eNpoSitions of the
diverse and attractive qualities of
our rugged western mountains.
There are equally high scenic areas
in the East, soon to be set aside in
perpetuity for the recreation and
pleasure of our people.
These parks are preemlnsntly
tourist parks, easily accessible by
the automobile and each succeeding
year drawing greater numbers of
visitors. 1t is no longer necessary
to expend large sums in publicity to
attract people to these great play
grounds of nature. Rather the
problem is to provide for the
crowds. For those who love auto
travel or horseback riding, these
parks provide every facility for en-
joyment.
There is the need for few real
wilderness areas-placeS where one
may get beyond the hearing and
sight of civilization or anything
pertaining to it. These few areas
must offer types of recreation that
have strong appeal to mans prim-
Inverness. There is no pastime
more responsive to this inner yearn-
ing of man than canoeing in the
solitudes. The Superior National
Forest in northern Minnesota is
such wilderness-undefil and
with the alluring spirit of the great
outdoors. 1t is the only lake coun-
try wilderness, water travel area we
own. Instead of roadways. one
finds here the natural highways of
streams and inland lakes.
Brooks, musical and singing, dark
brown with teaching of tree root
and forest mould wend their way
leisurely or swiftly from the high
land cradle of mountain and water
shed to link their fortunes and des-
TIMES with Lake Superior and the
waters of Hudson Bay. Born of
melting SHOWS, nurtured by natural
run-off, they tumble over precipice
and ledge. They meander through
valleys, luxuriantly rich with sweet
gale, cattail, rushes and tule. They
highland lakes that are clear and
limpid, with wooded shores of a
beauty that is wild and rugged.
On the press, irresistibly, through
cooling shade, over forested ridges
and rapids, leaving behind them the
island studded waters, the fragrance
of balsam, the wilderness of peace,
a stiffness sublime, impatient to
mingle with the waters of the Arc
tic Sea and the Atlantic.
Mountains and plateaus are for
ested with red pine and white, bal
sam and spruce, birch and white
cedar, interspersed with mountain
ash and cherry, aspen and moose
wood; gentle slopes and eminences,
unbroken in verdure, stretch away
on the horizon. Cliffs rise sharply
from waterfall and shoreline. Thick
cts impenetrable with windfall and
underbrush shelter game and birds.
Crimson bogmoss, velvety and deep,
conceals the forest floor of granite
and syenite, broken and glaciated.
Pitcher plant, clintonia, cornell,
Indian pipe and fern grow here and
there. Lungworts, huge and SPOT
ted, lichens, silvered in various
hues and intricate design, grace