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A-
ESTES PARK
Is situated in Larimer county, Colorado, sixty
miles northwest of Denver and at an altitude of
7,500 feet above sea level.
It is reached from Denver by a pleasant journey
of forty miles over the Burlington route to Lyons,
thence by a picturesque stage road through the
St. Vrain Canon. The stage ride is one of the
most interesting features of the trip, and furnishes
a diversity of scenery not excelled in the state.
Following the erratic course of the St. Vrain, as it
zigzags up toward the Park, the eye rests upon
ever-changing scenes hillsides covered with wild
flowers, huge and varied colored rocks; deep
gorges, yawning chasms and frowning precipices.
On the right as you enter the Park stands Mount
Olympus, an imposing granite peak rising fifteen
hundred feet above the surface; on the left, fifteen
miles distant, that sturdy old patriarch, Long's
Peak, looms up, a proud jtater to the peaks for
many miles around. In front, Mcunts McGregor
and Fairchild, two full-grown children of this
noble parent, also fifteen miles away, appear only
a stone's throw distant.
The basin of the park is an undulating prairie of
green pastures, changing to pine groves and rock
scattered hills. The cordon of lofty mountain
peaks which surrounds the park includes Long's
peak, Fairchild, McGregor, Prospect, Lily, Sheep,
Deer and Olympus mountains, Estes Cone and
others of less magnitude.
LONG'S PEAK
Is the highest point in northern Colorado, 14,27!
feet. The trip from the Estes Park hotel to
"Lamb's," the actual starting point, is full of inter
est. The road skirts Mary's lake and leads
through ample pastures for the first few miles, then
through a forest, with the stupendous cliffs of Lilly
Mountain overhanging the valley. This moun
tain is 1 1,453 feet in height, and its upper cliffs are
steep and bare on the inner side, while on the
eastern slope heavy timber grows to the too. Lily
lake lies at the base of the mountain and gives it
its name. Starting from Lamb's at 5 a. m., timber
line is reached about 6J3Q. An hour later what is
called the "Boulder Field" ir entered. As its name
implies, this is literally a field of various sized
boulders. At this point horses are abandoned and
the natural means of locomotion resorted to.
GEM LAKE.
In Estes park is not surpassed by any in the state.
Its numerous streams are filled with trout. Indeed,
it was this feature that first attracted attention t
the park, and every season since it has been
visited by thousands who make the trip for fishing
alone. The supply seems inexhaustible, and the
fisherman rarely returns at nightfall without a
good catch.
There are two good trails over the range which
bring Middle park and Gem lake within a day's
easy ride from Estes park. Nearly every day
i hunting parties are formed. Good shooting is
found as soon as timber line is reached and bear,
elk, deer, mountain sheep, grouse, ptarmigan and
other game offer rare inducements to the sports
man. Horses, guides, in fact a complete outfit,
can be had at the park.
Much can be said of the health-giving qualities
of the climate of Estes park which cannot be said
of many other localities in this state of eternal sun
shine and rarified air. Scientific investigation, ob
servation and experiment have demonstrated the
fact that the altitude of Estes park, coupled with
the surrounding conditions, has the most salutary
effect upon consumptives and asthmatics.
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