PARRY — PHYSIOGRAPHY OF ROCKY MTS. 281 



probabilities for the following day, before a blazing camp fire; 

 the night was rendered brilliant by twinkling stars in the 

 serene atmosphere ; and anon the advent of a nearly full 

 moon cast spectral shadows through the sombre and blight- 

 ed forest around us; and then followed a refreshing rest, un- 

 disturbed by dyspeptic nightmares, or outside intrusions, till 

 the breaking morn roused us from slumber to prepare for the 

 labors of the day. 



Disposing of all unnecessary encumbrances, though pro- 

 tected by ample clothing and taking a pocket lunch, we com- 

 menced the first steep ascent. Extricating ourselves from 

 the dense mass of bushy growth which lies above the timber 

 line, Ave encounter the usual bare alpine exposures. The 

 rocks, variously shaped by attrition and exposure to atmos- 

 pheric agencies, lie either in loose fragments, or imbedded in 

 a coarse granite sand. In favorable situations, vegetation 

 acquires a foothold, forming dense patches of alpine sward, 

 in the midst of which flourish the choice and variously tinted 

 plants peculiar to this region. Trickling brooks, having their 

 sources in banks of snow, form ribands of verdure, con- 

 trasting pleasantly with the dull colored rocky ridges down 

 which they course. These again at other points expand into 

 mossy morasses, supporting a rank growth of sedges and 

 other water-loving plants. Passing amid such scenery, and 

 gaining by steady climbing an elevation of 1500 feet or more 

 above the timber line, we come upon a rock-paved table-land, 

 where massive blocks strew the surface, varied here and there 

 by patches of snow. This brings us to the base of the main 

 peak still towering above us a thousand feet or more, but 

 now plainly exposed in all its details of shape and position. 

 On the side towards us, being the western face of the peak, 

 there is a steep slope, partially faced by snow, terminating 

 higher up in a perpendicular ascent, and then another steep 

 slope reaching to the flattened summit. Its northern face 

 shows a sheer smooth precipice of grayish colored rock, ex- 

 tending from the very summit to a bewildering depth of 

 probably 3,000 feet, terminating in a rocky gorge, "where 

 snow fed lakes supply the head waters of the northern 

 branch of the St. Vrains. Two of the party ventured down 

 this gorge, clambering along the rough talus at the base of 

 the precipitous peak, aiming by this difficult route of descent 

 and ascent to reach the easternmost peak. In accomplish- 

 ing this, they attained an elevation still considerably below 

 the main summit, which was found inaccessible from this di- 

 rection. Others, winding round the western face toward the 

 south, came upon the jagged ridge that connects Long's 

 Peak with the main range. On one of the highest points of 

 this ridge, named (alter one of the party) Velie's Peak, the 

 barometer was set up, and a series of observations taken, giv- 



