Exploring Visits to the Sources of the Hudson. 307 
Hall, went up the border of the lake to examine the valley which 
extends beyond it in a N. N. E. and N. E. direction, while the 
writer, with Mr. Henderson, resumed the ascent of the main stream 
of the Hudson. Notwithstanding the wet, and the swollen state of 
the stream, we succeeded in ascending more than two miles ina 
southeasterly and southerly direction, over a constant succession of 
falls and rapids of an interesting character. In one instance, the 
river has assumed the bed of a displaced trap dyke, by which the 
rock has been intersected, thus forming a chasm or sluice of great 
depth, with perpendicular walls, into which the river is precipitated 
in a cascade of fifty feet. 
Before returning to camp, the writer ascended a neighboring ridge 
for the purpose of obtaining a view of the remarkably elevated val- 
ley from which the Hudson here issues. From this point a moun- 
tain peak was discovered, which obviously exceeds in elevation the 
peaks which had hitherto engaged our attention. Having taken the 
compass bearing of this peak, further progress was relinquished, in 
hope of resuming the exploration of this unknown region on the 
morrow. 
- Avalanche Lake.—Return to the Settlement. 
On returning to our camp, we met the portion of our party which 
had penetrated the valley north of the lake, and who had there dis- 
covered another lake of nearly equal extent, which discharges by 
an outlet that falls into Lake Colden. On the two sides of this lake, 
the mountains rise so precipitously as to preclude any passage through 
the gorge, except by water. ‘The scenery was described as very im- 
posing, and some fine specimens of the opalescent rock were brought 
from this locality. Immense slides or avalanches had been precip- 
itated into this lake from the steep face of the mountain, which in- 
duced the party to bestow upon it the name of Avalanche Lake. 
Another night was passed at this camp, and the morning of the 
20th opened with thick mists and rain, by which our progress was 
further delayed. It was at last determined, in view of the bad state 
of the weather and our short stock of provisions, to abandon any fur- 
ther exploration at this time, and to return to the settlement. Re- 
tracing our steps nearly to the head of the Still Water, we then took 
a westerly course through a level and swampy tract, which soon 
brought us to the head waters of a stream which descends nearly 
in a direct course to the outlet of Lake Henderson. ‘The distance 
