34 SADDLE AND CAMP 



springs fed by the snowbanks of these rugged 

 peaks of the White Mountains, this is the case. 

 We were here, on the lower rises of Ord and 

 Thomas Peaks (the latter locally known as "Old 

 Baldy") , at an altitude of 9,500 feet. At timber 

 line, reaching up on the bald summit of Baldy, 

 the snowbanks lay, gradually melting under the 

 heat of a July sun. We could see them con- 

 stantly during the days we were circling the 

 mountain and often halted, sweltering in the 

 terrific midday heat below, to look longingly 

 toward them, reaching far up above the timber 

 line. 



Big Lake, which is, in fact, a rather small lake, 

 lies not far to the southeast of Ord and Thomas 

 Peaks, and here we loitered nearly a day re- 

 connoitering the surroundings. Big Lake is a 

 breeding place for ducks and was literally alive 

 with mother birds and their young, chiefly mal- 

 lards and teal, though there were other varieties 

 as well. The lake was very low, and a wide 

 expanse of grass-covered mire, which separated 

 it from the mainland and was too deep and soft 

 to cross, prevented close observation, though 

 with the assistance of binoculars we were able 

 to see the ducks very well from the solid shore. 

 I was told that in early spring and late autumn 

 a great many geese are to be seen here also. 



