It ascends a formidable ridge and leads quickly to Idlewyld, but we were bound for Rubicon Springs.

The old trail was inaccessible, but Mr.Colwell of the Springs had lately marked out a new trail, so we took our chances on finding our way somehow.

Over windfalls, up and down and around rocky promontories, we came to West Meadow Creek Wash, its rude bowlder-strewn course striking directly across our path.

Here we struck beds of brakes nestling in the shade of giant trees.

On the left side of the creek where we were, we ran into dense clumps of wild-cherry which prevented further progress.