PIKE'S PEAK AND THE GARDEN OF THE GODS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9238, 16 October 1895, Page 2

PIKE'S PEAK AND THE GARDEN OF THE GODS.

"Weekly Press.**

Bx E. W. Bor_fl.

The explorers who at the beginning of this century first contemplated the rugged grandeur ol that great eastern outpost of the Rockies, over 14,000 feet in height, nowknown a3 Pike's Peak, asserted with confidence that its summit would never be reached by man; to-day on that summit is established the terminus of a profitable railway. After this evidence of the power of mind over matter who shall dare to limit tho possibilities of the future? This wonderful cog railway, which climbs the mountain side, is the highest in the world, and as a specimen of audacious engineering stands alone. The line, which was completed in 1890 at a cost of £200,000, commences at the far famed springs of Manitou, and in its length of nine miles ascends 7518 feet, an average of sixteen in the hundred. To overcome th. inconvenience that would arise from travelling in an ordinary train on so steep an incline, the engine and carriages are placed upon the wheels at such an angle that the boiler and seats are always in a horizontal position. To prevent the train from slipping a system of rack rails has been fixed. These rails form a continuous track upon which the ninety cogs of the locomotive constantly act. To prevent the moving or sliding o the track 146 anchors have been used in dangerous places. These safeguards with many other precautions serve to make the line as safe as, and perhaps far safer than, any other in the Union. The passenger, on leaving Manitou for the upward trip, finds his time folly occupied in noting the changes that occur in the vegetation as he passes from the temperate climate of the plain to the arctic rigour of the summit. In the lower gorges there is such a luxuriant growth of trees and shrubs that the view is limited to a few yards on either aide. As the train ascends it winds its way amid huge blocks of stone as big as houses that are heaped together in such an erratic fashion that one marvels how they could have been forced into such strange positions. Soon ths vegetation becomes more and more dwarfed and scanty until at last the train forces its way over the stony slopes and ice-bound rocks that lead to the summit. The sudden transition to the rarified atmosphere of this elevated region is to most people the cause of great inconvenience, for they find on alighting that the slightest exertion brings on a feeling of extreme exhaustion and that anxious as they may be to take advantage of such an opportunity to view tha wonderful scene that unfolds itself on every side, they ate really too ill to do mors than sit about in a listless fashion and wonder at their quickly acquired infirmities. It ia probably owing to this uncomfortable feeling that so few people eleot to take advantage of the accommodation provided on the summit for those who wish to remain over night. Long before the hour allowed for the view has expired people crowd into the carriages, and like fish returned to the water regain their cheerfulness as they descend. . I So attractive and healthy is the neighbourhood of Pike's Peak that thousands flcrck there annually, and to provide for the wants of these luxurious tourists the town of Colorado has sprung into existence, and although at present this juvenile city can only boast of a population of 13,000 it can fairly claim to be up to date in the matter of first-class hotels, - clubs, electric light, and telephones, besides -team and electric tram services, these latter connecting it with Manitou, which is five milea distant, and whence the train departs for the summit. In the immediate neighbourhood of Manitou (signifying the Great Spirit) is the Garden of tho Gods, so named from old legends of the Indian tribes that used to visit this locality to drink the health-giving waters of the now noted springs. One cannot feel surprised that the untutored and superstitious aboriginals should have attributed a supernatural origin to the quaint forms that have been weathered out of the red sandstone, which is the particular characteristic of this locality. So strange are some of the shapes that have been carved out of the rocks by centuriea of storm and sunshine that tha visitor is inclined to think that he is being made the victim of a showman's craft, and it is not till the huge monoliths have been more closely examined that the conviction is forced upon the observer that the whole scene is the result of Nature's handiwork. The accompanying engravings will give some idea of the forms assumed by the red rocks in The Garden of the Gods. These pictures might be extended indefinitely, for there is scarcely a rock on tho reservation that does not bear tho semblance of some familiar object. On one side ef the Garden there are natural walls of the conventional colour, but, like the rest of these queer productions, they are on a large scale, for their sides, although perpendicular, measure 330 ft in height. With so many attractions of varied scenery and with the additional advantage of wonderfully healthy climate it is only natural that Colorado and Manitou should become year by year more popular among the rich pleasure seekers of the United States.