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Show 16 RECONNAISSANCE IN THE UTE COUNTRY.- by ns from this point was sufficient evidence of the difficulties encountered by the pioneer teamsters of this region. At the crossing of Wagon Creek, a blacksmith's tbrge and wagon- shop had been erected, and a bridge built over the creek. About a mile from this crossing the road enters a dense pine forest, and the ascent is so steep that the wragons must have been hauled up by tackles hitched to the pine- trees. This ascent continues to a point about two miles from Camp 22. Gamp 21 to 22.- At this summit the timber ends, and the trail descends rapidly into the valley of the Eio Grande, striking the river between the mouth of Hine's Fork south, and Pole Creek north. Except a few small swamp- holes, the trail is here not difficult, but rather steep, with abundance of good grass, water, and wood. On the north the mountains rise about 2,000 feet, with earth- slopes and timber, above which are broken cliffs of about 1,000 feet, composed of a gray stratum crowned with a dark- red granite. These cliffs are furrowed and worn into pinnacles and buttresses. On the right bank the mountains rise about 3,500 feet above the river, timbered to snowline, above wluch are the bald peaks, snow in patches. Above Camp 22 the trail rose rapidly on the mountain- slope, the timber becoming small and scrubby and more sparse. We found many snow- patches June 7th, 20 to 50 feet wide and 2 or 3 feet deep. The mountains on both sides of the river are snow- capped summits, about one to two miles distant, and about 2,500 feet above the river. Gamp 22 to 23.- On the north are cliffs of blue and red limestone and conglomerate, upheaved, and above these, on the crown of the mountains, are cliffs of red and gray granite. Gamp 23, just before the divide.- Camp 23 was about 600 feet above the river, on a very steep slope, near a small snow- stream ; poor grass; dry wood scarce. While camped here, on Sunday, June 8th, we had a snow- storm, with thunder & nd lightning, which lasted several hours; but the snow melted nearly as fast as it fell. Mr. Lawrence Hawn, who had ascended Mount Can by, was caught by the storm, and received several strong electric shocks. During the snow- storm an avalanche rolled down the side of one of the mountains on the opposite side of the valley, sounding louder than thunder. About 9.30 p. m. the snow ceased falling; the clouds broke into thick, dark masses, lit by the nearly full moon ; the mountains loomed grandly through these masses of cloud, with their tops gleaming in the moonlight. The dense black masses of pines among and below the shining snow, the clouds, bright above and somber beneath, made a grand scene of mountain gloom and mountain glory. Major Caraher and his troop left us at this camp, returning to Antelope Park, leaving with us an escort of three non- commissioned officers and fifteen men. On Monday, June 9th, we broke camp and started to cross the divide, at 7 a. m., Messrs. Bassel and Anstey running the stadia line. The summit was at a distance of about two and one- half miles from Camp 23; the trail being for about half . a mile through patches of stunted pines in boggy morass, soon worked into almost impassable mud by the passage of the pack- train, and, for the rest of the distance, over and sometimes through an almost continuous sheet of snow, in many places of great but unknown depth, generally, however, from 4 to 8 feet. The summit, where crossed, is a " knife- edge," and the view from it limited, but very grand. Around, in every direction, sharp basaltic or trap peaks, with deep gorges and slopes of rock debris, and, for the most part, covered with snow to far below the level of the pass. Westward, through a narrow, steep gorge, between lofty crags, is seen the range west of Baker's Park. |
