THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM

HE Snowy Range lies, roughly speaking, north and south. From valleys 8,000 feet high, the peaks rise from 12,000 to 14,000 feet. Longs Peak measures 14,255 feet.

The gentler slopes are on the west, a region of loveliness, heavily wooded, diversified by gloriously modeled mountain masses, and watered by many streams and rock-bound lakes. The western entrance, Grand Lake, is a thriving center of hotel and cottage life.

On the east side the descent from the continental divide is steep in the extreme. Precipices two or three thousand feet plunging into gorges carpeted with snow patches and wild flowers are common. Seen from the east-side villages, this range rises in daring relief, craggy in outline, snow-spattered, awe-inspiring.

Midway of the range and standing boldly forward from its western side, Longs Peak rears his lofty, square-crowned head. A veritable King of Mountains—stalwart, majestic.

Amazingly diversified is this favored region.

The valleys are checkered with broad, flowery opens and luxuriant groves of white-stemmed aspens and dark-leaved pines. Singing rivers and shining lakes abound. Frost-sculptured granite cliffs assume picturesque shapes. Always some group of peaks has caught and held the wandering clouds.

Very different are the mountain vistas. From the heights stretches on every hand a tumbled sea of peaks. Dark gorges open underfoot. Massive granite walls torn from their fastenings in some unimaginable upheaval in ages before man impose their gray faces. Far in the distance lie patches of molten silver which are lakes, and threads of silver which are rivers, and mists which conceal far-off valleys. On sunny days lies to the east a dim sea which is the great plains.

MOUNT CLARENCE KING Photograph by Enos Mills

GRAND LAKE FROM THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE Photograph by George H. Harvey

CACHE LA POUDER VALLEY AT FOOT OF SPECIMEN MOUNTAIN Photograph by H. T. Cowling