GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY OF THE TEREITOEIES. 223 



southeastern part is literally carpeted over with a compact growth of 

 rich and nutritious grasses, which the water of the numerous little 

 streams that sweep down from the mountains keeps constantly fresh. 

 And the rain-fall, I judge, is greater here than in any other part of the 

 Territory, and it seems to be on the increase, which also appears to be 

 true around Cheyenne. I understand that stock can be wintered here with- 

 out shelter and with very little feeding; in fact, large flocks of sheep and 

 herds of cattle, as will hereafter be shown, have passed the winter with 

 no other feed than the uncut grass of the valleys and plains. Hay in 

 abundance can be obtained along the creek bottoms at a nominal cost. 

 Dr. Latham informed me that his hay cost him this season, in the stack 

 where it was cut, but $3 per ton. 



Timber, such as pine and iir, of an excellent quality, can be obtained 

 from the mountains along the southern border. A vast quantity is an- 

 nually cut and floated down the Little Laramie and other streams for 

 lumber, railroad ties, &c. Some of the streams, especially along the 

 southwest border, are margined by groves of Cottonwood, which will 

 furnish fuel and fencing material for that locality. 



THE SWEETWATER REGION. 



I cannot define this section better than by saying that it includes the 

 valley and bordering plains through which the Sweetwater River passes, 

 from the vicinity of South Pass to its junction with the North Platte. 

 This stream rises a little northwest of the pass, and flows almost directly 

 east about one hundred and thirty miles, connecting with the North 

 Platte near the exit of the latter from the Laramie Plains. For about 

 twenty-five or thirty miles east of the pass, it flows through a rugged, 

 mountainous region, falling rapidly, and presenting no areas of import- 

 ance that can be brought under cultivation. A short distance west of 

 St. Mary's Station it bursts from its mountain canons, and enters upon 

 a valley that continues, with some short interruptions, throughout its 

 course. The comparative uniformity of this valley will obviate the 

 necessity of any lengthy description of the different sections of it. 



Beginning at South Pass, (on the summit,) with an elevation of seven 

 thousand four hundred and ninety feet, when we reach the point where 

 the river emerges from the gorge, we are still six thousand six hundred 

 and fifty feet above the level of the sea, having descended but eight 

 hundred and forty feet. Yet, at this highest point of the section which 

 can be counted as arable, we are five hundred and thirteen feet lower 

 than Fort Sanders, and four hundred and seventy-three feet below Lara- 

 mie City. At the Three Crossings the height is only six thousand one. 

 hundred and thirty-five feet, showing a fall between this point and the 

 head of the valley of five hundred and fifteen feet, or about twelve feet 

 to the mile. At Independence Rock the elevation has decreased to just 

 six thousand feet, giving a fall between this and the last-mentioned 

 point of scarcely five feet to the mile. From here to the point where 

 the river joins the Platte the fall is, probably, some five or six feet to the 

 mile, as it grows a little more rapid as it approaches its debouchure. 

 We may, therefore, estimate the average elevation of the valley at six 

 thousand three hundred feet above the sea level. 



For ten or twelve miles below the point where the stream emerges 

 from the mountains there is a very pretty fertile valley, averaging 

 about one mile wide, bordered on the right, and part of its length on 

 the left, with high bluffs. Most of it is covered over with a luxuriant 

 growth of grass, from which a supply is drawn for South Pass City, 



