Instead of encircling forest trees, the
girls saw giant up-thrusts of rock that deft the blue sky. On each side
of the widened trail stood lodge-pole pine that ran up to the summit
and down the other side of the peak.
"At last--Top Notch Trail!" exclaimed Polly.
"You seem relieved?" ventured Anne.
"I am, because I half-doubted whether I would remember the right route
without an older guide."
"When in doubt don't do anything," suggested Eleanor.
"If we didn't do anything we wouldn't have been up here," argued Anne.
"This trail runs straight to Grizzly Slide, a glacial peak I've always
wanted to see. Father never had time to take me and mother wouldn't
allow me to find it alone. Explorers say it is a permanent glacier that
seldom changes its form as most of our other snow-capped peaks do in
summertime."
"How I'd love to see it!" sighed Eleanor.
"It sounds as if we were in Switzerland about to visit the Alps," added
Barbara.
"Have you any plans for to-day, Polly?" asked Anne.
"Nothing particular. I thought we would try for this trail and have
dinner up here, then do whatever you liked before starting for home."
"How long might it take to ride along the top and hunt for Grizzly
Slide?" asked Eleanor eagerly.
"I'm not sure of the distance, although I hear it is four miles from
Four Mile Blaze. From here to the blaze may be one or ten miles, but
the going is fine on this trail," replied Polly, eagerly showing her
inclinations.
Pages:
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157