KSDUcn.] ITINERARY. 17 



the summit of one of these hills, making a station very near the northern 

 limit of our district. From here vre obtained a good view of the mount- 

 ains. Before us lay a perfect wilderness of bare rocks oh the summits 

 and slo])es of ridges which lead up toward the liighest points of tlie foot- 

 hills. J^^umerous small lakes and foaming mountain -torrents, with very 

 l)icturesque cascades, kept up an incessant roar. Wherever soil had 

 formed, dark spruce and tir timber densely covered the ground, fringed, 

 lower down, by the lighter colored aspen. After the desert-like country 

 we had traveled through, this region appeared like a small paradise, and 

 the i)rospect of wood and water permitted us readily to forget the annoy- 

 ances that awaited us in the shape of mosquitoes and horse-tlies. De- 

 scending on a steep grassy slope into the depression between the outer 

 hiUs and the base of the foot-hills, we made camp in a very pretty grovo 

 of pines and quaking asp. A deer, too curious for its o^\'n welfare, was 

 arrested in its earthly career M'ldle inspecting our camp. The cool 

 mountain air brought us refreshing sleep in spite of the numberless^ 

 mosquitoes that kept up a monotonous concert during nearly the entire 

 night. 



On the day following we traveled parallel to the range, in a south- 

 easterly direction. Stations were made on the outlying hills, and camp 

 was moved up higher into the mountains. Instead of sinking into sand^ 

 as we had done a few Aveeks before, our animals were now obliged to 

 plod through swamps. Nearly frantic from the bites of hundreds of 

 horse-flies, they dashed their heads and bodies into small trees or branches 

 of larger ones utterly regardless of rider or pack. During the day wo 

 crossed several small streams, tributaries of the North Fork of the Big 

 Pojjo Agie. On some of the streams we found very beautiful " parks '^ 

 containing some game. Most of the latter had sought shelter elsevi^here 

 to escape from the flies. Within the dense timber they were less trouble- 

 some, but near any body of water they came in thick swarms. We Avere 

 obliged to keep oiu' camp entirely enveloped in smoke, but we soon 

 found that even this method did not aftbrd protection. Apparently the 

 mosquitoes enjoyed the warmth and took advantage of it. By evening 

 the animals became so nervous ft-om the constant vexation that often the 

 snapping of a twig woidd start them on a small stampede. Eubbing 

 their breasts and necks with grease seemed to be the best remedy 

 against the severe attacks from these insects. A weak solution of car- 

 bolic acid was found to answer very weU until evaporated. 



On Jitly 17 we started early to march higher up into the mountains. 

 We had been informed that it was impossible to cross the North Fork 

 within the mountains, but Ave proposed to make the attempt. A ride 

 along a dim Indian trail led us through a very pretty " park." Gradu- 

 ally rising, it stretched along a clear mountain brook for 5 or 6 miles. 

 On either side of the open space was dense pine and spruce timber. 

 About ten o'clock Ave reached the summit of the ridge beyond wliich the 

 North Fork rushed through its canon. A most discouraging sight pre- 

 sented itself to our \iew. Very steeply inclining, the slope led doAvn 

 to the stream. Rocks, " dovra timber," and marshy places covered the 

 slope. Vertical walls of, sometimes, 50 feet in height threatened seri- 

 ous consequences to any animal that might slip on the treacherous 

 gToimd. Below, the stream rushed along, forming a continuous series 

 of rapids. On its other side a slope led upAvard the exact counter- 

 part of the one we would haA'^e to descend before reaching the river. 

 After selecting the best route Ave led our mules down, AAnnding in and 

 out of rocks, jmuping logs, getting mired in swamps, and having hard 

 work of it generally. In due time, however, we reached the bottom of the 



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