142 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



or brown color with the top or exposed portions white 

 or gray due to the weathering influences. Between these 

 two are found every shade or tint in striking combinations 

 that do not seem real. This picturesque effect delight- 

 fully breaks up the usual monotony of the desert and 

 canyon types of scenery. Such plants as cacti, yucca, 

 greaswood, and sagebrush abound in the lower levels. 

 Above these are found immense bodies of Pinon and 

 Juniper, topped with tall pine and spruce timber, inter- 

 spersed with 

 cool aspen 

 groves and 

 crystal springs, 

 as the moun- 

 tain tops are 

 approached. 



In the many 

 natural caves 

 and sheltered 

 ledges of the 

 cliffs within the 

 National 

 Monument and 

 along the trail 

 en route, are 

 found the ruins 

 of cliffdwellers' 

 houses. There 

 are also on the 

 massive side 

 walls ancient 

 paintings and 

 hieroglyphics 

 mute evidence 

 of a civilization 

 which is lost to history. The exploration of these 

 rewards the visitor bounteously in adventure, and 

 information. 



From Monticello or Blanding, Utah, which is easily 

 reached by auto from southern Colorado or central 

 and eastern Utah points, the only means of transportation 

 today is by saddle-horse and pack outfit. To anyone 

 used to active outdoor recreation, the 40 to 50 mile trip 

 is not a strenuous one, if taken any time during or be- 

 tween the months of May and November. Its length 

 can be broken by any number of camps en route, rich 

 in scenic attractions and unusual interest. During most 



Carving and coloring, done by the master hand of 

 to the weather make these natural bridges more 



of the winter months the Bridges are also accessible 

 but the temperature at that time is a little too low for 

 comfort. Plans are under way for the construction of a 

 good auto road to the region, but, owing to the cost and 

 difficulty of providing sufficient funds, it will undoubted- 

 ly be two or three years before this becomes a reality. 

 Parties contemplating one of these trips should be 

 accompanied by a guide as a knowledge of desirable 

 camping places near good water is essential and a 



stranger might 

 easily and hope- 

 lessly be lost in 

 the maze of 

 box canyon s 

 and ridges with 

 p r e c i p itous 

 slopes. Compe- 

 tent guides and 

 ood outfits can 

 be readily ar- 

 ranged for in 

 the towns of 

 Blanding and 

 Monticello. To 

 avoid delay 

 these arrange- 

 ments should 

 o r d i narily be , 

 c o m pleted in 

 advance. 



R e cently a 

 commercial air- 

 craft company 

 has been inves- 

 tigating possi- 

 ble landing and camping places near the Bridges with 

 a view of making air excursions thereto from railroad 

 points and surrounding centers of population. It is 

 confidently predicted that this mode of transportation 

 will become popular within a few years with many 

 visitors. 



In the meantime those who are interested need not 

 wait for better facilities of travel to be perfected and 

 lose the exhilaration and satisfaction that this trip 

 affords now, as well as the distinction of being among 

 the first to explore this wild and comparatively little 

 known region. 



THE AUGUSTA NATURAL BRIDGE 



nature and softened by years and years of exposure 

 than freaks of nature. They are things of beauty. 



HISTORIC OAK DESTROYED 



/^i\'E of Talbot County's historical trees was destroyed 

 ^ recently by a storm, says an Easton, Maryland, dis- 

 patch to the Baltimore Star. The mammoth white oak 

 in the rear of the brick meeting-house of the Society of 

 Friends, known as Third Haven Meeting-house, fell 

 with a crash and made kindling wood of 50 feet of 

 shedding, where the members were wont to hitch their 

 horses and teams when attending service. This tree was 

 one of the original grove under which William Penn 



preached when touring Maryland and where Lord Balti- 

 more at one time worshipped. During the last 40 years 

 a half dozen of these monsters have gone. The stumps 

 of two of them disclosed more than 400 rings. The 

 monarch of the group still stands. Under this group 

 of trees Indians took shelter in Colonial days. A place 

 of worship was selected among them because of their 

 protection, and the spot being a sanctuary in turn pro- 

 tected the trees. 



