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 branch of the Ausable near 
to its source. The distance on this route is about ten miles. The route which 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 McIntyre 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 falling 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 the 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 
