PARRY — PHYSIOGRAPHY OF ROCKY MTS. 279 



Passing thence towards a low break in the mountains 

 where the main stream of the St. Vrains debouches on the 

 upland plains, we follow up a somewhat broad valley, bound- 

 ed by mural ridges of metamorphic rock, showing a strong 

 dip to the eastward. The various exposures here brought to 

 view exhibit a series of perpendicnlar escarpments to the 

 west, while its eastern face presents a prolonged irregular 

 slope. The valley here shows a very fertile soil, easily irri- 

 gated, but subject to occasional floods. The low bottoms 

 were occupied by a dense growth of annuals, consisting prin- 

 cipally of Ilelianthns, intermixed with a perfect maze of wil- 

 lows, intertwined and bound together by spreading vines of 

 Clematis. These thickets were scatteringly occupied by 

 clumps of wild cherry (Primus Virginiana), at this season 

 crowded with profuse clusters of its purple fruit. Besides 

 this, we find in abundance and of excellent quality the ripe 

 fruit of Bibes aicreum, exhibiting several distinct varieties, 

 including, deep purple, light amber, and dull red. To each of 

 these varieties there is a very distinct flavor, combining an 

 agreeable mild acid with the peculiar aroma of wild currant ; 

 and the berries are often fully half an inch in diameter, and 

 three-fourths of an inch in length. It is somewhat remarka- 

 ble that this species, of which the cultivated product is con- 

 sidered worthless, should here in its wild state possess such 

 desirable properties as a native fruit. 



Proceeding onwards, following up the most northern branch 

 valley, and crossing by frequent fords the rapid stream, bed- 

 ded with rounded pebbles, we are forced by precipitous rocks, 

 hemming in the valley on either side, to the adjoining hills ; 

 and thence, by a series of abrupt swells and sharp divides, we 

 come upon the upper course of Little Thompson Creek. This 

 creek, by a very rugged route, making a somewhat rapid 

 ascent, terminates near its head sources in an open basin val- 

 ley, quite picturesque in its surroundings, luxuriantly bedded 

 with nutricious grasses, and agreeably set off on either hand 

 by pine-clad mountains. Thence, by an easy divide, we pass 

 down into the valley of Big Thompson Creek, where the val- 

 ley spreads out in broad undulating swells to form Estee's 

 Park. Through this beautiful upland park the main creek 

 pursues its meandering course, its tributary waters flowing 

 direct from the higher points of the Snowy Range, a short 

 distance below entering a deep canon to pursue its intri- 

 cate course through the intervening mountains to the great 

 Plains. 



At this point is the last and only settlement on our route, 

 beinf about twenty miles, by the trail followed, from the foot 

 of the mountains. The elevation here is 7,000 feet above the 

 sea, and b 2,0<)0 feet above the base of the mountains. Long's 

 Peak is here plainly visible in all its rugged outlines, the 

 highest summit bearing S.S.W. (magnetic) probably ten miles 



