A COLORADO SKETCH 3J 



almost solid rock stands naked and savage. In 

 front, beyond the Park, the main range of moun- 

 tains rears itself, topped with snow, rent in great 

 chasms, pierced by the gloomy heavily- timbered 

 depths of black canon. On the extreme left and 

 in the distance Long's Peak towers above its 

 fellows ; and beneath you, in strange contrast with 

 the barren foot-hills through which you have 

 passed, and the savage stern grandeur of the 

 range, lies the Park — undulating, grass-covered, 

 dotted with trees, peaceful and quiet, with a 

 silver thread of water curving and twining through 

 its midst. 



A log-house is comfortable enough at any time ; 

 and on that particular night it appeared eminently 

 so to us, as, cold and wearied, we passed the 

 hospitable threshold. What a supper we devoured, 

 and what logs we heaped upon the fire, till we 

 made the flames leap and roar on the open hearth ! 

 and then lay down on mattresses on the floor, and 

 listened to the howling of the wind, till the noise 

 of the tempest, confusedly mingling with our 

 dreams, was finally hushed in deep, unbroken 

 sleep. 



The winter weather in Northern Colorado is 

 most enjoyable. At the high altitude of Estes 



