120 TRANS. OF TIIE ACAD. OF SCIENCE. 



Ascent of Pike's Peak, July 1st, 1862, by Dr. C. C. 

 Parry. From a Letter addressed to Prof. Torre y, and 

 communicated by him. 



Prof. J. Torrey, M.D. 



Dear Sir : In accordance with frequent suggestions from 

 yon, recommending the examination of the memorable botan- 

 ical locality known as James', or Pike's Penk, I feel gratified 

 in being able to furnish you with a brief sketch of the results 

 of such an exploration, accomplished on the 1st of July, 1862. 



Since Dr. Edwin James, of Col. Long's expedition, first vis- 

 ited this alpine summit forty-two years ago, on the 14th day 

 of July, 1820, there is no record of any professed botanist 

 having made the ascent. For this long period, its peculiar 

 vegetation has bloomed unheeded, and the meagre collection 

 of plants made by Dr. James has not been duplicated in sci- 

 entific herbaria. 



It is true, indeed, that of late years, since the rapid settle- 

 ment of the adjoining region, popularly known as Pike's Peak, 

 various pleasure parties, intent on sight-seeing, and even 

 ladies, have ventured to this snow-crowned summit, and Mr. 

 M. S. Beach, of Colorado City, our guide on this last occa- 

 sion, counted it as his third ascent; but by all these its floral 

 treasures were only casually observed, and in no instance that 

 I can learn have botanical collections been made. 



The truthful and graphic account given by Dr. James, in 

 Long's Expedition, of the ascent of this " highest peak" shows 

 that the route then taken was substantially the same as that 

 followed by us, and is no doubt the one most accessible, at 

 least from the northern slope. 



That remarkable and interesting stream, known by the ex- 

 pressive French name of Fontaine-qui-bouit,* which circles 

 round the gigantic mass of rocks comprising the main peak, 

 together with its lower range of mountains, pursues a general 

 course east of south, and collects the waters flowing from its 

 northern and eastern slope. This drainage is effected through 

 numerous tributaries, coming more or less direct from the main 

 peak, and cleaving their way through chasmed valleys and 

 canons of the most rugged character. Up one of the main forks, 

 which enters the principal stream at the noted locality called 

 " Soda Springs," or Boiling founl ain, lies the most direct route 

 for making the ascent. This stream, which ought to receive 

 the historical name of James creek, at its junction with the 

 Fontaine-qui-bouit, is about six feet in width, but soon con- 



* The name, originally given to the carbonic acid spring, lias been 

 transferred to the stream into which it empties its waters, and is now 

 used exclusively for it. 



