1869.] • ^' [lluydcn. 



local dips are common, and keep to no regular direction ; but far distant 

 from the source of power the ridges are comparatively regular. 



From the hills about a mile west of Yellow Creek Station we have the 

 first and most extended view of the country I have ever seen in the West. 

 We can examine objects with considerable distinctness on a clear day for 

 a radius of 50 to 100 miles in every direction, over a most rugged surface, 

 with high ridges and deep gorges, the strata showing red, yellow, gray, 

 and in fact every variety of color. Other beds are composed of quite 

 light colored sandstone. 



From Fort Bridger westward one of the most interesting phenomena is 

 the favorable change that takes place in the vegetation of the surface. 

 Broad plains and hill slopes covered thickly with grass, with compa- 

 ratively little sage, is now the rule. Patches of quaking asp appear here 

 and there and along the streams are fringes of cotton wood. 



About 3 miles west of the Needles there is an upheaved ridge carrying 

 a bed of white limestone, with streaks of chalcedony in it resembling 

 those of the White River tertiary limestones, and dipping nearly east at 

 an angle of 20°. After leaving this point the rocks, again nearly horizon- 

 tal, have for the most part a prevailing reddish tinge, with alternations of 

 reddish indurated clays, and gray and reddish sandstones. The harder 

 layers form quite abrupt bluffs 150 to 200 feet high all along the streams 

 or valleys. In a tunnel at the head of Echo canon, where the beds have 

 been excavated by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, the base is a red 

 indurated clay, slightly arenaceous, with bands of hard sandstone of a 

 greenish tinge ; above this, a red grit, much indurated, but becoming 

 less so as we approach the summit. At Echo Station there are high 

 bluffs of the red grits, with gray sandstones ; but the prevailing color of 

 ah the rocks in Echo canon from source to mouth is reddish or dark 

 purple. The excavations for the grading of the railroad are extensive in 

 this region and give a clear idea of the succession of the beds ; but there 

 is a great uniformity in the composition of the rocks. The sandstones 

 are gray or yellow, and always yielding readily to the weather, wearing 

 into all sorts of fantastic shapes, full of holes and caves, projecting points 

 and pillars. The hills are covered with a considerable amount of loose 

 material, worn rocks, &c. The valleys are also covered with a heavy 

 superficial deposit. 



From Bear creek to Echo Kanyon Station, 20 miles, most of the way 

 is over the red grit beds. The railroad runs directly down the Echo 

 valley from its source to its junction with the Weber valley. Its scenery 

 is wonderful from its general ruggedness ; the water is excellent ; the 

 grass is good and all the valleys are susceptible of cultivation. Timber, 

 though scarce everywhere, is more abundant than in localities farther to 

 the east. 



Passing down Echo Kanyon from Hanging Rock Station to the mouth 

 of Echo valley, bluffs of massive sandstone rise upon the right to a height 

 of from 400 to 1000 feet, colored gray and yellow, yellowish i^urple and 

 brick red, and containina' some congloinerate. 



