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Show 12 EXPLOHA.TION OF THE CANONS OF THE COLORADO. is a delicate task to do this without breaking the glass; but we have success, and are ready to measure mountains once more. May 28.-To-day we go to the summit of the cliff on the left and take observations for altitude, and aro variously employed in topographic and geological work. May 29.-This morning, Bradley and I cross the river, and climb more than a thousand feet to a point where we can see the stream sweeping in a long, beautiful curve through the gorge below. Turning and looking to the west, we can see the valley of Ilenry's Fork, through which, for many miles, the little river flows in a tortuous channel. Cottonwood groves are planted here and there along its course, and between them are stretches of grass land. The narrow mountain valley is inclosed on either side by sloping walls of naked rock of many bright colors. To the south of the valley are the Uintas, and the peaks of the Wasatch Mountains can be faintly seen in the far west. To the north, ~esert plains, dotted here and there with curiously carved hills and buttes, extend to the limit of vision. For many years, this valley has been the home of a number of mountaineers, who were originally hunters aud trappers, living with the Indians. Most of them have one or more Indian wives. They no longer roam with the nomadic tribes in pursuit of buckskin or beaver, but have accumulated herds of cattle and horses, and consider themselves quite well-to-do. Some of them have built cabins; others still live in lodges. John Baker is one of the most famous of these men; and, from our point of view, we can see his lodge three or four miles up the river. The distance from Green River City to Flaming Gorge is sixty-two miles. The river runs between bluffs, in some places standing so close to each other that no flood-plain is seen. At such a point, the river might properly be said to run through a canon. rrhe bad-lands on either side are interrupted here and there by patches of Artemesia, or sage-brush. Where there is a flood-plain along either side of the river, a few cottonwoods may be seen . • I I· |