Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
TELLS OF TRIP
TO PIXIES PEAK
81 YEARS AGO
Snow Capped Mountains
On All Sides With White
Clouds All Around.

| month of May i'll the year 1871, w
left Colorado Springs for Manitor
the Saratoga of the West at tina
time, for Pixies Peak, carrying on
blankets and provisions ON on
backs for we knew we had to sleel
out that night and needed all W.
could carry. The two of us, Chas
Shields, my friend and myself, il
good health and strong, started tC
have jolly time out of it. We tool
the short trail went through the
Garden of Gods, a great treat. Went
right by the celebrated springs al
ManitOn Soda and Iron Springs. We
stopped a short time, took some
drinks of both springs. There was a
long train of burlOs or donkeys
standing in line for tourists to hire
ten dollars for the trip. We con-
cluded to walk. 1t is safe to ride
them up the mountain, but danger
Gus to come down; it is so steep
they almost stand on their heads.
One stumble or fall may throw you
a thousand feet down the side into
the raVine as the trail is 50 close
to the edge you have to be very
careful and not fall over the side
if you stumble. as the footing is
nothing but rock.
Well we felt refreshed after TAX
ing a few drinks out of the mineral
springs. We shouldered our baggage
and started slowly. We wended our
way up the steep, narrow, winding
path, only wide enough to walk in
single file. Not daring to look back
or down for fear of becoming dizzy
and falling hundreds of feet below
where the rushing, roaring waters
speed on in their mad career. We
trudged on for four long hours and
just as the shade of darkness came
3n we got to the halfway house and
/ assure you we were glad to get
there. We were tired out and hun
CRY and needed rest. After we ate
our supper we laid down TO take a
rest. We built log fire in the old
fireplace, it was rather cold. One
kept the fire going for the mountain
rats were bad. The others slept so
we took turns. No doors or windows
were in the old log cabin. Our time
was short, for we wanted to reach
the summit before sunrise.
The next morning we had to make
an early start. BY 2:30 a. III. we
we're up and ready. After taking a
small portion of our lunch for
breakfast, we started lighting our
way with Chinese lanterns that we
were thoughtful enough TO bring
with us, for without Il light we
would lose the trail. Onward we
pressed, not losing Il minutes time,
until we reached the timberline;
where we stopped to rest My friend,
Mr.. Shields gave out. The air is
very light above the timberline. He
wanted to go back; he could only
make few hundred yards when he
had to sit down and rest. | coaXed
him not to leave me, gave him a
handful of snow to eat, which had
drifted on the side of the mountain.
We had still few miles yet to go.
We kept on slowly, looking back
easterly we saw streak of light
which showed lis that the sun would
soon show. We hurried to get to the
top. Everything was lovely. We
were soon rewarded for our trouble
We got to Signal Station on the very
summit of Pixies Peak, 1000 feet
above sea level, just as the sun was
showing its brightness; it was a
beautiful sight Rising higher and
higher, showing the different cOlors
of the rainbow. Reader, picture
yourself a large balloon being in
fiated with gas all ablaZe with fire
tugging at its rope; anxious to be off
in it's upward flight and you will
have a correct impression as my
feeble brain will allow me to give
you. How many of you who read
this can say they have witnessed a
sunrise from the summit of Pixies
Peak? After looking as far as the
eye can reach in all directions, not
over looking the grand snowy range
which divided the waters of the
Rocky Mountains and other numer-
Dus peaks in the distance, we went
into the Signal Station to have a
few words with the officers. His
partner had gone to Colorado
Springs for provisions. He was very
kind to. us, gave us his big tele-
scope to use We could see as far as
Pueblo which we had just left
'ew days ago, IS miles distant-it
vas a nice clear day. He told us to
put our names on the Register,
which we did. Should any of you :
'eaders get on top of Pixies Peak,
Ook up the old Register of 81 years
lgO. The officer had q nice fire. After
We took a walk on top of the peak
N the rocks, we went into his office,
warmed up and got ready to leave.
We thanked him very much for his
.indness. We bade him goodbye
nd best wishes and then started
own the mountain. While we were
Ip ON the mountain there was
eavy white cloud hanging below us
we were above the cloud and at
bout timberline we found it had
moved a couple of inches. This
yas quite a surprise; to think we
yere above the clouds. The scenery
oming down was the most beauti-
III you can lay your eyes on. Snow
apped mountains on all sides. We
rriVed safely at ManitOn the third
ay and returned to Colorado
prings where we took a hearty
zeal. We settled down in Colorado
prings, went all through the Gar
Ell of Gods, the Canyon and scenery
: the mountains is the grandest you
IN lay your eyes on.
If any of you ever come to COlora-