The mountains of the Great Divide are not, as everyone knows, born treeless, though we always think of them as above timberline with the eternal snows on their heads. They wade up through ancient forests and plunge into canyons tangled up with water-courses and pause in little gem-like valleys and march attended by loud winds across the high plateaus, but all such incidents of the lower world they leave behind them when they begin to strip for the skies: like the Holy Ones of old, they go up alone and barren of all circumstance to meet their transfiguration.
The quote highlights the complex beauty of the Great Divide mountains, emphasizing that they are not inherently devoid of life. The narrator describes how these mountains transition from lush forests to rugged terrains filled with canyons and valleys, showcasing the diverse ecosystems and landscapes they encompass before reaching the higher altitudes. This journey from the lower world reflects the natural progression of the mountains as they approach the heavens.
As the...
