9 



was suddenly revealed to our aigbt The view was the grandest and 

 most impressive I have ever seen. 



The valley of Snake River lias a north and south direction, and is, at 

 Camp Stager, about twenty miles broad, the Teton Range rising up 

 from the level of the valley on the western edge. The (iros Ventre 

 River, on the bank of which our camp was located, was filled with hand- 

 some trout from one to three pounds in weight. Game was very abun- 

 dant on the line of mareli ; elk, antelope, bear, and deer wen* the tro 

 phies of the hunters this evening. I had to forbid the killing of antelope, 

 at the head of the column, as it would have been a cruelty to kill more 

 than the command could consume. 



■ 



On August 15, we left Camp Stager, and turned to the north, up the 

 valley of Snake River, keeping near the foot hills on the eastern side 

 and parallel to the river. The valley over to the Teton Range of mount- 

 ains — to Avhich we traveled parallel — is, I should think, 15 miles broad. 

 To the south, and just north of the canon of Snake River, two grassy 

 buttes rise up from the level of the valley, and are called the ( Iros Ven- 

 tre Buttes. We encamped on the east bank of Snake River, just above 

 the mouth of Buffalo River. Distance marched, 21 miles; altitude 

 of camp, 6,900 feet. The camp was beautiful in the extreme. That 

 portion of the valley of Snake River passed over during this day's 

 march is mostly a level, grassy plain, with occasional clear mountain 

 streams coming in from the east and emptying into Snake River. It is 

 a lovely valley, with excellent soil, covered with luxuriant bunch and 

 gama grasses. Altitude of the valley, 6,000 feet. Should there be no 

 drawbacks from heavy snows in winter and cattle and horse Hies in sum- 

 mer, it can, by civilization, be made a paradise. There is little, if any- 

 thing, known of it, but it is recorded on the maps as Jackson's Hole. 

 The altitude and the appearance of the soil and grasses did not indicate 

 severe winters. At Uamp Stager we met two or three miners, who had 

 just come into the country, and, on Buffalo River, one mine? of a party 

 of three or four who came, in last spring, but these parties knew but 

 little of this valley. They knew nothing of the winter climate, but 

 spoke of the annoyance to their animals from the large horse and 

 cattle fly so well known in the Indian Territory south of the Arkansas. 

 Our camp was named Camp McCullough, in honor of Mr. John McCul- 

 lough,our exceedingly interesting companion, so well known and highly 

 appreciated. During the day's march herds of antelope 

 ran across our path, but the number permitted to be killed was limited 

 to our wants. Large fine trout were taken from Snake River, in front 

 of our tents, during the afternoon. 



On August 16, at the usual hour, we resumed our march up Snake 

 River and along Jackson's Lake, where we took to the foot bills to avoid 

 marshy places, coming again to the lake at its upper end. The lake is 

 about miles wide and 15 miles long, very deep, and lies immediately 

 at the foot of the Teton Range and directly under the Teton Peak 



occasion 



