I30 



Sierra Club Bulletin 



base of the fall was a deep, clear pool, and glassy cliffs came 

 down to the water's edge on both sides. It seemed impossible 

 to reach the base of the fall without swimming the pool, 

 which we would have done had there been any chance of 

 getting up past the fall, but there did not appear to be any 

 foothold on the polished rocks on either side, though with the 

 aid of a rope it would have been possible to descend the east 

 side. From the place where we stood we could look past the 

 fall and up the gorge to where tall trees were growing, and 

 the brushy slopes of the great outer canon could be seen. I 

 am quite sure that could we have passed the fall, a few hundred 

 yards would have brought us to the end of the gorge. 



We did not waste much time here. There was no choice but 

 to retreat to the chute below and climb out on the Clouds Rest 

 slope. Here, just at the edge of the inner gorge, there is a 

 large patch of brush crossed by avalanche chutes. Our plan 

 was to follow along this, keeping close to the edge of the inner 

 gorge, and thus reach its upper entrance, whence the portion 

 above the last fall, or "jumping-off place," could be explored. 

 This soon proved to be difficult, if not impossible. Smooth, 

 polished slopes were encountered, along which one could not 

 pass without danger of sliding ofif into the inner gorge. There 

 was nothing to do but to climb higher and higher along the 

 edge of the brush patch, and seek a passable ledge. Again and. 

 again we tried to work along the slope, but without success. 

 Deer tracks still led upwards, and these we followed till finally 

 the passage was found along a ledge about 600 feet up the slope 

 of Qouds Rest. From this ledge a most stupendous view can 

 be obtained. Upward, the barren rock, polished by centuries 

 of sliding rocks and snow avalanches, reaches up 4,000 feet 

 overhead, while below a shorter, though even more awful- 

 looking slope drops off to the eaves of the inner chasm. Up 

 and down the canon the view is unobstructed, and is simply 

 overpowering in its immensity. 



We followed the ledge past the upper end of the inner 

 gorge, now descending slightly along the slope. Deer tracks 

 gave us confidence of final success, for undoubtedly this is 

 one of the main passages used by wild animals. The ledge 

 finally gave out on the slope about 500 feet above the talus, 



