374 



THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



[December f 



It is to be sure rather bunirlinsrlv written ; evidently monnt to say— which is the charitable 

 especially so for a (listintriiished otlicial, but as a way of looking at things — we do not see a irn-at 

 (|ue.stion of fact and lookiiiL' to what the writt-r deal to object to. 



Literature, Travels I Personal Notes. 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



ASCENT OF PIKE'S PEAK. 



U Y ISAAC C . M A R T I N D A L E . 



September 1st. Hardly knowing what may be 

 the duties of the day, I conclude to be up before 

 the sun, and "prospect" a little, as that seems 

 to be a sitrniticant word here ; I also find others 

 of the same mind, and the ascent of Pike's Peak 

 determined upon. It is usually made by the use of 

 ponies, which are small sized horses, and mules ; 

 occasionally some stalwart individual with plenty 

 of muscular development and more pride of 

 purpose, sets out to make the journey on foot; 

 of our party there are two of this character, and 

 with knapsacks supplied with provisions, &c., at 

 live o'clock they turn their backs upon the hotel, 

 and face the mountain path ; an hour later two 

 more take the road, mounted, thinking perhaps 

 the day will be short for the work to be per- 

 formed. The ascent is usually made without a 

 guide, and as fourteen persons have decided to 

 go, these are thought to be all sufficient in our 

 case ; but that some one should have the over- 

 sight of the party seems essential, accordingly 

 the invitation has been extended to myself to 

 perform that office, I having had the experience 

 of leading a party of twice the present number 

 over the Tete Noire Pass of the Alps, in Swit- 

 zerland, in the Summer of 1874. The position 

 of leader secures to me the choice of the stable, 

 and I make the selection without delay. An 

 early breakfast has been ordered, and all are 

 expected to be in the saddles ready for the as- 

 cent at half-past seven o'clock. 'Tis a glorious 

 morning; not a cloud obscures the sun, or makes 

 a shadow on the mountain side, a gentle breeze 

 moves the foliage in the valley, but perhaps 

 that will soon die away. The countenances of 

 the party show to the full anticipated joy, 



four of our company are ladies, who have 

 sufficient strength of purpose, nerve and will, 

 to attempt the height. Each person is sup- 

 plied with lunch, and a sutlicient quantity of 

 clothing, should the atmosphere prove to be 

 cold ere we reach the top. The appointed hour 

 finds us ready, and we wave adieus to those; we 

 leave behind, and seek the trail. This year, as 

 I am informed, is the first time the a-scent has 

 been made by the course we take : the trail thus 

 being a new one is reported to be in good condi- 

 tion, and somewhat shorter than the route of 

 former years ; yet fourteen miles is the distance 

 we are expected to travel ere we reach the United 

 States Signal Station, on the top of the Peak. 

 The road leads us into Engelman's Canon, and 

 1 am indeed much pleased to find it so, that I 

 may have an opportunity to see the beauties and 

 the grandeur of its ways. Again do I call in 

 service the experience of my friend Meehan,for 

 he was the first white man that ever explored 

 its fastnesses, set foot upon its rocks, or drank 

 of its crystal floods ; 'twas he who, as its first 

 explorer, gave it the name of Engelman's Canon, 

 in honor of the great botanist of St. Louis, for 

 the reason, as he informs me, that he found Pines 

 and Spruces growing far up the Canon in 

 great profusion, and immense in size, beautiful 

 anywhere, but much more attractive here in 

 their native elements ; and every student of the 

 vegetable kingdom well knows, that we are in- 

 debted to Dr. Engleman more than to any other 

 person, for much of the knowledge we possess 

 of the coniferous trees of North America, he 

 having recently added to his previous publica- 

 tions several monographs of various sections. 

 For about a mile the road is broad and well 

 made, suitable for wagon travel. There are 

 many residences on the hill-sides, which in the 

 early morning look fresh and home-like. Along 

 the stream are several camping parties, who 



