A Midwinter Trip. 



253 



But lest the weather should remain unfavorable, our 

 course along the mountain tops was laid out on the map, 

 and angles and distances were accurately determined in 

 order that we might continue our trip until we could 

 descend below the zone of storm. Waterproof leggins 

 were also provided by the deft fingers of the Californian, 

 and snowshoes were put in order for the six inches of 

 snow that had recently fallen upon the crust 



Next morning dawned clear, with only a fog bank here 

 and there, anchored in the depths of some valley. Moun- 

 tain chains, valleys, lakes and rivers appeared with per- 

 fection in detail of miniatures. The towns lay in the 

 depths below. Northward the valleys were chocolate 

 brown with rims of white. Southward every eminence 

 and depression was dazzling white throughout. The land- 

 scape was burdened with snow until it seemed that it 

 could hold no more. 



Equipment was cut to the minimum, except that the 

 Californian and the botanist retained the maximum in 

 cigars. These had been their solace the previous day and 

 should be jettisoned last of all. The enthusiast carried 

 his baggage on his back. The others placed theirs on the 

 mountain sled and played team with staff for whiffletree. 



Down slopes amid alpine pines, still bearing their white 

 festoons and crystal blossoms, the party sped to the canon 

 floor of Galena Creek, where mountain pine and alpine 

 hemlock grow undisturbed and hold the masses of winter 

 snow in check. Then up the cafion-side over a staircase, 

 slowly kicked, step by step, in the treacherous crust, the 

 party ascended to the plateau that rose gradually to the 

 continuous range along which lay the course to the lake. 



Here began a series of disappointments for the botanist. 

 He thought the route should be one grand, even descent, 

 down which he could ride or at least roll all the way to the 

 lake. While, perforce, alternating peaks and mountain 

 saddles made a devious trail up and down, to and fro, 

 which must be trodden to obtain the only practicable 

 high route to State Line Point. 



