Henry Tribe

Took the mountain railway down Pikes Peak today; went up by car as part of tour. It’s pretty far up, 14,100 odd feet, above a table land of some 6,000. Was a little short of breath on top due to altitude. The top ought be known as “Scruff Summit”! Covered with very scruffy buildings, a rickety observation platform (as if it were needed!) Masses of cars and a jet plane provided for the public by the U.S. Air Force – in gratitude for development of jet engines done on this property. A road of course leads right up to the summit, which is above the tree line, very rocky, with the red rocks so characteristic of Colorado. The view is very wide, over much lower mountains, and over the plains on which the town of Colorado Springs lies. It was not very clear, though said to be the clearest this summer since July, probably heat haze.