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24 DENVER.

or pentameter, any adequate idea of the almost super-
naturally grand sight to be obtained of the mountains
approaching Denver; suffice it to say, that the city is
built on the plains, within 12 miles of their base, and
that to the north may be seen Long’s Peak, over
70 miles away, rising 14,050 feet above sea level; Gray’s
Peak, south of this, 14,134 feet; immediately opposite
the city on the west, the beautiful pine-clad foot-hills,
backed up in the dim distance by the great snowy
range; and to the southward Pike’s Peak, 76 miles
distant, towering 14,216 feet above tide-water and 8,000
feet above the level—the whole forming a continuous
view of over 200 miles of mountains.

In this wonderful air, the summit of Pike’s Peak
can be seen from First View station, 150 miles distant;
and now, as we are approaching Denver, every gorge

 

and chasm in the rugged sides of this historic moun-
tain are as clearly discernible as if less than 12 miles
away.

Volumes might be filled with what has been told
and written of Denver, and no city in the Union is
probably so well known by reputation as this one.
It will be therefore sufficient for me to say here, that
I found the best of hotels, and especially complete
livery stables, where carriages and horses for driving
in the delightful boulevards and environs of Denver,
or saddle-horses, teams and outfits for a visit or
camping expedition to the neighboring fishing, hunting
and pleasure resorts of the mountains, may be had at
short notice and fair rates.