Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1879 — A PIKE’S PEAK PARALYZER. [ARTICLE]

A PIKE’S PEAK PARALYZER.

Being a Lady’s Aoooont of a Thrilling Experience and Men/ . Dangers. 'The following pen picture of the ascent of Pike’s Peak by a lady, is taken from a private letter to a lady: My Dear M , I have sat down to give you a description of oar ascent of Pike’s Peak; and although it beggars description, yet I must give you an aooount of what befell us. I must say, to begin with, I have quite enough of mountains; I want no more of them. Give me old Logahsport on a dead level, and “Ye crags and peaks” may belong

to goats and deer. Miss E , H , and I started at seven o’clock yesterday morning. It was a bright, beautiful morning, and we started on stout broncho ponies, with wraps, etc. A Scotch gentleman joined us v H—— led the way, Miss E and I next, and the Scotchman behind, so we were guarded in front and rear. As we climbed the mountain, the air was delicious. The trail is just wide enough for the horse to have foothold, most of the pqth being impossible for two horses to pass. To the right were the ravines aud deep gorges; to the left the perpendicular rock rising abruptly. We, or rather I, kept my eyes well fixed on the horse, not daring to look below. I would hot for thousands of dollars have turned in the saddle and looked down. After about two miles of steep climbing, we reached a beautiful part of tbe road where we follow a mountain stream. The road up this stream was interspersed with waterfalls and charming little groves where wild flowers completely covered the ground. They were of the most exquisite hues, and we determined to have a large bouquet on our return. We began to. creep up the mountain again, and although not so perpendicular as before, it was bad enough. After seven miles of this sort, we reached the “Lake House,” a log building situated on a lake a quarter of a mile long, at the height of ten thousand feet. They supjiose the lake is of volcanic origin, having no inlet or visible outlet, The water is brackish* and disafreeable to the taste. The house is ept by a very nice lady. Here we dismounted, rested, took lunch and left Miss E., she wisely concluding the rest of the journey was too severe, and, considering what followed.it was mercy she was not with us. H., I and the

Scotchman proceeded, and I tell you we went straight Up. The road, with the exception of was not dangerous, there being no ravines beside the path. Two thousand feet more and we reached the timber line, beyond which no trees grow. Then we rose. it seemed, above heaven and earth. Grass and flowers grew in abundance, especially a beautiful little blue forget-me-not. By this time clouds began forming in every direction, and scudding across the mountain. The view was superb. Encased by mountains, ourselves and poor little horses above all. you may know what pigmies we felt like. The clouds above, below and surrounding us; the sun bursting out at intervals and illuminating the peaks till they looked like torches of fire. The scene was magnificent, grand and imposing. I could not see H.’s horse in front of me. Finally we left even the grass and plowed through heights oi broken stone. Then we began to see what was before us. The storm gathered thick and fast; we could see it in all directions; aud as it closed in, hail, thunder, and lightning commenced.- I must confess I began to be dreadfully frightened, but the hope of reaching the top urged me on. We rounded upon a chasm called the “Crater.” From the natne you can imagine what a dreadful place it is. In this was a terrific thunder storm beiling up as from a chaldron. A clap came and shook the very earth, white we all felt the shock distinctly. On we plunged, and with joy I heard H.’s cry of, “The top! Here we are.” A few steps more through a snow-bank and rocks, and a stone hut with the United States colors braving the storm at 14,370 feet above the sea, came in view. I was dragged off the horse, for by this time, I was stiff and exhausted. Here a party was huddled

together around a stove with a hot fire in it/ One lady and two boys, beside a party of gentlemen. A party that we passed on the road, soon came up, consisting of eleven, many of them children; they had four horses among them. The little children had not ridden, but walked all the way. Just, saucy it. The slightest exertion in tpis atmosphere causes your heart to beat as if you had been running. I gathered a few flowers that bloomed around the hut amid the snow. We rested three quarters of an hour. We could see nothing and as the clouds appeared to break away, we thought we had better hurry back. In the* room at the Signal station, on the stove is this inscription: “We melt snow for water, raise our own vegetables do our owu cooking and answer what questions we have a mind to.” Here is the grave of Nora , the daughter of the keeper at the station, who was eaten by mountian rats. What a weird spot for a grave!

As we came down we thought we should escape tbe storm, but as we reached the grass it broke upon us in its fury. I cannot describe the awful position we were in. We sought shelter beneath a huge rock and were joined by a young fellow that had only a linen over garment on. You never saw such black clouds. They appeared like midnight blackness; tbe rain and hall cpmmenced, but when it abated we started out. We had scarcely got off again when the storm blew tip and then we were right in the middle or the clouds, the forked lightning running all around us, the hail as large as hickory nuta, pelting us and the roar, crash and crack of a thousand batteries over it all. Ijumped off thehnrse, paralysed with fear, and sat on the earth. Every moment I thought we would be struck with the lightning. The cold was severe, our hands and feet were numbed; we were drenched to the skin and the trigbt and horror of the situation was beyond description. Tbe homes were frightened, ana we hung on the side of the mountain in agony. H. turned white as a sheet. Tbe Scotchman turned the telegraph wire to allow ills horse to pass under and was shocked as from an eleefrie battery —that frightened him. It seemed as if Jupiter and all the furies were hurling their thunderbolts at us. Ithink a second experience like that would kill me outright. The nervous shock was so great. Finding It got no better We plunged on afoot, H. leading my horse and his. I mounted again, however. and suddenly the clouds lifted up as fra pall bad risen over us. The sight was majestic. The danger of further descending was great, as the

trail was so slippery from the hail and water; but we reached the “lake House” about half part five, thankfttl indeed for the preservation of our lives. Everything is so immense and the height so great that you fed like an atom suspended in mid-air. We witnessed e scene that but few see, and I can realise more fully the marvelous works of the creation. Indeed I can sing the Te Deum Magnificats .with a deeper appreciation of its. grandeur. Borne gentleman said he would have given thousand of dollars te have witnessed such a display. I thought I would take the money and he might have the experience. We took dinner at the “Lake House” and at six pushed homeward. We urged the horses to the utmost, anxious to reach and pass the precipitous part of the road before dark. Here MisS E* took the lead and H. staid to gather flowers. We reached the house at eight, very stiff and sore. The storm could be seen from the Springs raging around the “Peak.” Our storm was one of the wont that has ever been known. The better way is to go from here in the afternoon, remain at the “Lake House” all night and go up the “Peak” early in the morning when the weather is invariably fine. In the afternoon you are never certain of the weather. MCliff House, M&nitou Springs, Col., July 16.