o spend a day in the rain at the source of 

 a stream was an experience I had long 

 desired, for the behavior of the waters in 

 collecting and hurrying down slopes would 

 doubtless show some of Nature's interesting 

 ways. On the Rockies no spot seemed quite so 

 promising as the watershed on which the St. 

 Vrain made its start to the sea. This had steep 

 and moderate slopes, rock ledges, and deep 

 soil; and about one half of its five thousand 

 acres was covered with primeval forest, while 

 the remainder had been burned almost to bar- 

 renness by a fierce forest fire. Here were varied 

 and contrasting conditions to give many moods 

 to the waters, and all this display could easily 

 be seen during one active day. 



June was the month chosen, since in the re- 

 gion of the St. Vrain that is the rainiest part of 

 the year. After thoroughly exploring the ground 



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