54 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



what poetical name of the " Uinta's Bower." At the extreme limit the 

 groups of pines spread out along the ground, and always toward the 

 east, showing that the winds in these mountains are mostly from the 

 west. The pines and the aspens constituting nearly all the tree vegeta- 

 tion of the mountains, it becomes an interesting matter to determine 

 the highest limit of the growth of the latter also. Observations with 

 the barometer near the sources of the Muddy Creek showed the highest 

 limit at one point to be 9,623 feet; at another 9,302. Probably 

 an average of the two observations would be the correct one. There is 

 considerable variation in the extreme limits, on account of the differ- 

 ence in position in relation to the sun. A southern exposure is most 

 favorable, and, in consequence, the limit is extended upward. 



I will not close my description of this interesting region without a 

 word in regard to its future prospects. Judge Carter has introduced a 

 bill into Congress asking for a charter for the Fort Bridger and Uinta 

 Mountain Eailroad, extending from some point on the Union Pacific 

 Eailroad, up the valley of Smith's or Black's Forks, to some point toward 

 the sources of these streams. He also asks the very moderate grant of 

 the alternate sections of land for four miles on each side of the road. It 

 would be hardly possible for Congress to refuse a request which would 

 be of such inestimable value to this portion of the country. Besides, it 

 would bring into market eventually at least one hundred thousand acres of 

 agricultural, grazing, and timber land for the Government, which would 

 otherwise remain undeveloped for an indefinite period of time. In the 

 valleys of Smith's and Black's Forks and their branches are thousands of 

 acres of very fertile land, which could not fail to be occupied by the 

 farmer ; and all the intervening plateaus, comprising many thousands of 

 acres of equally fertile soil, could be made fruitful by irrigation. By 

 means of this railroad the vast quantities of timber and wood that 

 cover the slope of the mountains would be accessible. Millions of feet of 

 timber could be obtained for the Union Pacific Eailroad at a trifling cost. 

 The deficiency of wood for fuel over so great a portion of this country could 

 be abundantly supplied from this source. As a summer resort for in- 

 valids, or those desiring rest from laborious duties, these mountains 

 cannot be surpassed. Pure, clear, exhilarating atmosphere, ever-flowing 

 springs of water, streams filled with fine trout, the woods stocked Avith 

 all kinds of game, the most beautiful scenery in America, and the most 

 accessible, offer attractions for all, and I am convinced that the time is 

 not far distant when this country will be visited by thousands of seek- 

 ers of health and pleasure. To the artist it would open a new world of 

 beauty, supplying a variety and abundance of material for landscape 

 studies which can be found in no other portion of the West. 



CHAPTEE V. 



FROM FORT BRIDGER TO UINTA MOUNTAINS, HENRY'S FORK, GREEN RIVER, 

 AND BROWN'S HOLE, TO GREEN RIVER STATION ON THE U. P. R. R. 



On the morning of October 1st we left the hospitable post of Fort 

 Bridger for the valley of Henry's Fork, about twenty-five miles to the 

 southward. The principal portion of our party had remained near the 

 fort since September 12, making repairs and recruiting our animals. In 

 the meantime we had made most interesting explorations of the Uinta 

 Mountains, the valleys of Smith's, Black's, and Bear Eivers, with their 



