ESSEX COUNTY. 217 



immense precipice that forms one side of the pass. The other route is from the Elba iron- 

 works, and is merely a footpath, the course of which is followed by the assistance of marked 

 trees. The general direction is south, and we have to thread up a brancli of tlic Ausablc near 

 to its source. The distance on this route is about ten miles. The route w^hich is to be pre- 

 ferred is certainly the shortest, or that from the Adirondack iron-works ; and it is attended 

 with as little labor to reach these iron-works, as those of Elba. In either case the whole 

 journey has to be performed on foot, as it is impossible for any vehicle or domestic animal to 

 reach this depression in the mountains which has been denominated as above. The moun- 

 tains which are concerned in its formation, are Mount Mclntyre upon the east, and the 

 Wall-faced mountain, as it is termed by some, on the west. 



The route from the Adirondack iron-works is a rapidly ascending one ; that is, the rise 

 equals about two hundred feet per mile, so that the pass is one thousand feet above the level of 

 the iron-works, and about twenty-eight hundred feet above tide. The highest point in the 

 pass is, however, some two or three hundred feet above the base of the perpendicular rocks. 



The last half mile towards this place ascends with increasing rapidity ; and on this part of 

 the route lie numbers of immense rocks, thirty and forty feet high, scattered over the surface, 

 some of which may be ascended, and upon their tops sufficient vegetable mould has accumu- 

 lated to support a growth of trees fifty feet in height. The sides of the mountain opposite 

 the perpendicular wall are literally strewed with these rocks ; and as they are not properly 

 boulders, they are objects of great curiosity themselves. Some of them have fallen partly 

 over, or incline in such a position as would afford a safe shelter to a score of men. Others 

 stand upright upon a narrow base ; and we wonder how, upon such a narrow foundation, so 

 large and towering a mass of stone could have been placed in equilibrium, especially upon a 

 sloping surface. 



But the object of greatest interest is the perpendicular precipice of a thousand feet — a 

 naked wall of rock. The face of this wall rises from the midst of an immense mass of loose 

 rocks, which have been falhng from its side from time immemorial ; and viewing them as they 

 now lie, they seem to fill an immense cleft between the mountains ; and probably the bottom 

 of this perpendicular precipice is really as deep below, as its top is high above the surface ; 

 or at least its extent below the surface where we take the measurement, must be one-half as 

 great as it is above. Upon the perpendicular surface the rock is naked ; but where there is a 

 fissure, or a jutting mass, small stunted shrubs find a place for establishing themselves. 

 This wall extends one-half or three-fourths of a mile, and in no place is it less than five hundred 

 feet perpendicular. 



In viewing this great precipice, no feeling of disappointment is felt in consequence of the 

 expectation having exceeded the reality. The conception of this imposing mass of rock 

 necessarily falls greatly short of what is experienced when it comes to be seen. Those who 

 visit this Pass ought by no means to be satisfied with seeing it from below : they should look 

 down from above, and over ih.e hanging precipice. This may be done safely, by using due 

 caution in approaching its edge. No one, however, will attempt it without being supported, 



Geol. 2d Dist. 28 



