24 REPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



impeded by fallen timber, it was absolutely dark. By ten o'clock tlie 

 three bear-hunters gave up the idea of reaching camj) that night, and, 

 building several huge fires, "slept out." At that altitude the night 

 was very cold, but by lying each beiween two fires we managed to 

 keep warm. Next morning by eight o'clock we returned to camp, find- 

 ing it readily as soon as daylight enabled us to distinguish our land- 

 marks. After a hearty breakfast we set off on our journey. Eiding for 

 a short distance through a combiaation of swamps and "down timber,'' 

 we soon emerged into a very fine forest. With ease we passed on through 

 this until our j)rogress was temporarily arrested by meeting with a band 

 ©f elk. Shortly aiter we saw some deer, and "bear-tracks" were plenti- 

 ful. Eiding over smoothly-polished rocks and through shallow swamps, 

 we finally reached the stream that lower down has received the name oi 

 the "Muddy." Where we camped on it that evening it by no means 

 justified this appellation. Similar to the Big Sandy, it flowed swiftly, 

 as a torrent, over large bowlders, often confined within narrow walls. 

 No fish were found in it at this point, owing to rapids and cascades some 

 distance down stream. 



On the day following we marched up the Muddy. On the west side 

 of this stream a long plateau-like ridge led up to Temple peak, upon 

 which a station was made. Passing this peak, we found an Indian trail 

 leading across the mountains. It is the one usually called the " Sho- 

 shone trail." We followed it to timber line and there camped. Two 

 of the party rode on beyond the main divide, dnesceding some distance 

 on the Wind Eiver side. The trail was found to be a very good one, 

 overcoming with ease the difaculties of the ascent. Much snow was 

 still lying there, although the smaller banks were rapidly melting. From 

 the divide a very beautiful view was obtained of the Wind Eiver drain- 

 age to the east, and that of Green Eiver to the west. East of the divide 

 the trail leads over steep slopes composed of loose rocks. Winding in 

 zigzag, it soon gains better ground, however. This trail leads from the 

 base of the mountains, where it is made up by several others coming 

 from farther west, directly across the range to Camp Brown. So far as 

 I have seen the range, this is the most southerly feasible pass. Tracks 

 upon it showed that two days before several Indians had passed over it, 

 going eastward. They belonged to some of the hunting parties which 

 had been absent from the agency at the tune of our visit there. 



On August 1 we turned back toward the i)lains. We had reached the 

 northwestern corner of our district, and proposed marching eastward 

 along the western base of the range. Following the trad down along 

 the Muddy, our route lay over the high plateau-like ridge mentioned 

 above. Leaving the trail there, we rode along the ridge and camped at 

 its western end near some of the high foot-hills. Several stations were 

 made, and on the next day we continued'our journey downward. Eid- 

 ing "across country," we soon reached the trail and foUowed it. It car- 

 ried us through a most interesting region as long as we remained at high 

 altitudes. Everywhere were the most conspicuous proofs of glaciation. 

 Shallow lakes were formed by the transverse placing of terminal moraines, 

 and the rocks frequently showed a mirror-like polish. Before we reached 

 the valley, we were agreeably surprised by meeting a large party of 

 Shoshone Indians. Among them was our former acquaintance, from 

 whom we had obtained some trout on the North Fork. Perhaps under 

 no cn-cumstances does the Indian appear to such great advantage as 

 when on the march. The " warriors" are arrayed in their best garments, 

 ride good horses, and are fully impressed with their o^vn dignity. Seated 

 high upon bundles of fur or other articles, the squaws i)resent a specta- 



