JOHN WESLEY POWELL. 2Q 



crossed the mountains to the westward of Middle Park and went 

 down to the valley of the White River, where he established winter 

 quarters. Here three small log houses were built on the margin of 

 a great cottonwood grove not far from the banks of the river. 



It had been previously arranged that early in the winter some 

 members of the party should return east ; so in December while 

 the main party remained behind at winter quarters Powell went 

 with these persons, and with three or four hunters, northwestward 

 to where the Union Pacific railroad now crosses Green River. The 

 whole journey was through a region at that time unknown and 

 without roads and trails. When within about fifty miles of Green 

 River they encountered a severe snow-storm and went into camp 

 at the foot of Aspen Mountain until the storm had subsided. This 

 is a wild and desolate region and of great interest to scientific 

 travellers, and the mountain was the center of a district of country 

 which subsequently became the theater of an elaborate geologic 

 study by the Professor, the results of which were published in his 

 report on the Uinta Mountains. On the third day the storm sub- 

 sided, and the party toiling through deep snows soon found its way 

 to Green River Station. 



Having parted with his friends who were coming east, Pro- 

 fessor Powell loaded his pack animals with supplies to return to 

 winter camp. His route back was down the valley of the Green 

 to the Uinta Mountains, thence eastward to what has since been 

 called Brown Park. From this beautiful valley in the heart of 

 the mountains he explored the upper canyons of Green River and 

 a large part of another canyon lying farther south, then passed 

 eastward exploring the Yampa River where it canyons through 

 the Uinta Mountains, and from the Yampa River southward to 

 the winter camp on White River, arriving there on New Year's 

 day. During the late winter months the canyons of White River 

 were explored and excursions were made far up and down Green 

 River especially for the purpose of studying canyon geography. 

 During the previous summer the Professor had explored the can- 

 yons of the Grand River where it passes through and out of 

 Middle Park, having constructed small boats for this purpose. He 

 had also made a careful study of some of the canyons of the Blue 

 River. All of these examinations were made for the purpose of 

 determining the best methods of exploring the canyons of the Col- 

 orado. 



The winter spent on the White River was one of great interest 

 to the Professor and his party, which again included Mrs. Powell. 



