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Clay Mountain, beside a rapidly flowing little stream, which runs down 

 the mountains in a northeastwardly direction. Our tents are on a little 



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plateau above the creek, amongst a sparse grove of pine trees, some of 

 which are 2 to 3 feet in diameter of trunk, though their height is insig- 

 nificant. With plenty of delicious water, wood and grass, and grand 

 mountain views it is altogether the pleasantest camp we have had, and 

 General Sheridan has complimented me by naming it Gamp Gregory, 

 Colonel Sheridan and General Strong, with Geer for guide, went out 

 hunting, but saw no game or indeed any fresh signs. Dr. Forwood, 

 Lieutenants Griffith and Campbell climbed Clay Mountain, which from 

 our side appears to be a very sharp peak. It is, however, easily acces- 

 sible from the west and north sides. Campbell carried my barometer 

 with him, and it marked on the peak 12,650 feet. The camp-fire at night 

 was a very enjoyable feature of our night's stay. Temperature at 5 p. 

 m., 52° ; altitude, 9,400 feet ; distance marched, 13 miles. 



August 28, Monday. — Broke camp at 6.10 a. m. It was cold last night, 

 and this morning there were filrasof ice on the still places along the creek. 

 For 6 miles or so our general course was a little north of east ; after that 

 turning more to the north. We passed over mountains and through 

 valleys and alongside of pretty mountain lakes. About 7 miles from 

 camp an immense herd of elk, estimated at about two hundred, crossed 



I 



our path in front of the column, and not more than 250 yards distant. 

 They appeared confused and ran in several directions, but soon disap- 

 peared around a point of a mountain to our right. The hunters of the 

 party were all out, away from the column in search of game, and saw 

 this same band, but at a distance of a half mile or so. Geer and a sol- 

 dier fired each a shot or two, but failed to kill. At about 11 miles from 

 camp we halted for a time on the divide west of Bennett's Creek, which 

 takes its rise here. The altitude was 10,000 feet, and about a mile 

 further on it was 10,500 feet, the highest point reached on the trail. At 

 about 18 miles from camp we reached the head of the canon of Little 

 Rocky Creek, down which we clambered. The descent was very abrupt, 

 and along the steep sides of the canon, which was covered with loose 

 stones, making a very precarious foothold for both men and animals, 

 it was very difficult work to clamber down and lead one's horse besides, 

 and as I look back upon it, it appears to me almost miraculous that our 

 large train came down without accident. The altitude at the top of the 

 canon was 9,400 feet; at the first plateau, about 2 miles down, it was 

 1,000 feet less ; and at camp, about 7 miles from the top of the canon, 

 3,600 feet less than at the top. At less than 10,000 feet of altitude we 

 found in many places deep drifts of perpetual snow, and passed over 

 the surface of one field of it. The valleys, especially that of Bennett's 

 Creek, were soft and miry. Last winter was here as everywhere in the 

 Northwest a very open one with little snowfall, so that we made the pas- 

 Sage of the Bear Tooth range under unusually favorable circumstances, 

 and I very much doubt if a practicable trail can be made across where 





