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Show APPENDIX NN. 1251 the party was not organized an til the latter part of August, 1876, at the Rendezvous Camp at Fort Lyon, Colo., and consisted of myself as executive officer and field astronomer; Louis Nell, chief topographer; Francis Klett, assistant topographer; William C. Niblack, meteorologist; A. K. Owen, odometer recorder; two packers, one cook, one teamster, and two enlisted men belonging to Company D, Nineteenth Infantry. As the field season would be necessarily short, only a limited area could be covered and completed; hence that assigned to me embraced portions of several atlas- sheets, for the completion of which, sufficient topographical data had not been previously obtained. These incomplete sections lie in the southeast corner of atlas- sheet *' 52 D," southwest corner of " 53 C," western portion of " 62 A, w northeast portion of " 61 D, w and northwestern portion of " 62 C." As it was necessary to go as far north as latitude 39° 20' and to the south as far as latitude 37° 40/, it seemed advisable to complete the northern section first before the snow would interfere with our movements, and tri-angulation and topographical work; then to proceed southward and accomplish the work required in the San Luis and Wet Mountain Valleys. Subsequent events proved this surmise to be correct, as we had barely finished our work in the northern portion when we were greeted with a snow- storm on reaching Fairplay, the 13th of October. After completing the organization, the party proceeded np the Arkansas Valley from Fort Lyon to Pueblo, Col. At this place several triangulation stations were occupied and monuments erected on prominent points in the vicinity. From Pueblo the main party proceeded to Caftan City ; thence along the Fairplay road to the 17- mile ranch on Currant Creek, at which point we left this road and proceeded northeastwardly along the road to High Creek and camped on this latter creek, a short distance above the canon. Before reaching Canon City, a side party was detached in charge of the chief topographer which proceeded np Beaver Creek to the vicinity of its source, occupying the principal peaks south ol Pike's Peak, and establishing the courses and drainage of the streams which flow south from this range and empty into the Arkansas River between Pueblo and Canon City. The side party having joined the main party at High Creek, we proceeded along the Colorado Springs road to Florissant Post Office, From this point a Damber of topographical stations were occupied, and the surroundi n g country thoroughly surveyed. By your orders Mr. Klett was directed to proceed to Washington on the 1st of October, and he left the party at this place; at the same time I sent one of the enlisted men back to Fort Lyon, since his services in the field were no longer required. From Florissant, after crossing the South Platte River, we proceeded up Tarryall Creek to the junction of Rock Creek, then up this latter creek some 5 miles, where camp was established, and from whence the ascent of the Twin Cones was made. From Rock Creek the party proceeded westwardly across the upper end of South Park to Fairplay, thence south via the Salt Works and Trout Creek Pass into the Upper Arkansas Valley, down this valley to the junction of the South Arkansas River, thence through Puncho Pass into the San Luis Valley, and down the valley to the Mosca Pass. From camps in the latter valley several prominent peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range were occupied, a road to Sagauche meandered, and several mines visited and examined. Passing throngh the Mosca Pass we entered the Wet Mountain Valley and proceeded to Rosita, where the main camp was established, from which side parties were sent out to occupy the necessary points in the Saugre de Cristo and Wet Mountain Ranges and Cuerno Verde Peak. Here the mines were also examined, and information gained as to their yield and prospects. From Rosita the party moved to Cufion City by way of the Oak Creek Road, thence by the road which crosses the head of Little Fountain Creek to Colorado Springs. Here a base- line was measured and connected with our system of triangles, as well as with the astronomical monument, and Pike's Peak was ascended and occupied as a tri angulation- station. From Colorado Springs the party proceeded to Pueblo and Fort Lyon, which latter place was reached December 10. The property was then disposed of according to your orders, and the party disbanded. The results obtained during the field season may be briefly enumerated as follows : Ten triangulation stations were occupied, at which repeated angles were measured by means of an 8- inch transit theodolite by Buff & Berger, reading to 10 seconds of are. Fifty- one topographical stations were occupied and located by angles to the triangulation stations. The route of the party was meandered and. measured wilh the odometer throughout. At Colorado Springs a base- line over 12.000 feet long was carefully measured. The usual meteorological observations were taken in camp, on the march, on divides, and mountain stations, in accordance with your printed instructions. The mines on the west slope of the Sangre de Cristo Range, and those at Rosita, were visited aud examined. Tarryall Creek was gauged at camp 12, near McLoughlin's Ranch, on October 8, |
