62 EXPLORATIONS ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 



which was 25 or 30 miles to the south of this, although we saw some small caves, we 

 saw none of the extent described.) 



May 16, Camp No. 13, west slope of Butte Valley.— Altitude 6,523 feet. First mild 

 morning we have had. Thermometer at 5 a. in., 32°. Moved at 20 minutes of 6. 

 Course continues a little north of west. In 2 miles reach summit of divide between 

 Butte and Long Valleys (altitude above the sea 6,670 feet), by a very gradual ascent, 

 and 2.5 miles more, by an easy descent, reach Long Valley. This valley, which lies, 

 like those we have crossed, from south to north, is shut in by a pretty high mountain 

 at its north end, from 10 to 15 miles off, showing passes in that quarter; and the south 

 end appears closed, some 25 or 30 miles off, by a cross-range, also exhibiting passes 

 through it. Elevation above the sea, 6,195 feet. Crossing this dry valley, which is 

 2.7 miles wide, 3.1 miles more up a tolerable grade brings you to the summit of a low 

 range, running north and south, dividing Long from Kuby Valley, about one mile 

 below which, on the west slope, we encamp, at a spring just discovered by Lott 

 Huntingdon, of the mail party, and which therefore I have called after him. It is a 

 good camping-place, and grass and fuel are convenient. Journey to-day, 12 miles. 

 Road good. 



Siliceous limestones were seen in the range dividing Butte and Long Valleys ; and 

 in the range bordering this last valley, on its east and west sides, are light-yellowish, 

 earthy limestones, full of fossils of the Carboniferous range ; also compact light-gray 

 limestone, some siliceous and slaty rocks, &c. Igneous rocks, of a basaltic appearance 

 (brown porphyry), are found near the limestones in the vicinity of Huntingdon Spring. 

 Soil of valleys accordingly. 



Cedar and pine characterize the Sylea of the mountains, and the Artemisia tridcntata 

 or wild sage, a certain index of sterility, the valleys. The latter has impeded our 

 wagons a great deal to-day, and lias been seen almost everywhere from Fort Laramie 

 as far as we have come, and was afterward found to characterize the country even to 

 the east foot of the Sierra Nevada. 



A high snow-mountain has appeared some 30 miles off to the south of us, which 

 will doubtless be of service in furnishing water on our return trip in that quarter. 

 Several antelope have been seen for the first time since we left Camp Floyd. 



About an hour after we went into camp the guide and party came in. It will be 

 recollected that lie parted from us at Pleasant Valley, Camp No. 8, May 10. He 

 reports that in consequence of his getting out of provisions, and the Indian he had 

 picked up as guide knowing nothing of the country farther west, he struck north for 

 our trail, and met it at the bridge in Steptoe Valley. Thence he followed our track 

 He represents that he has found a route generally parallel to the one we are on and 

 some 30 miles to the south, which is practicable for wagons, and furnishes water 

 and grass at intervals of 15 to 20 miles. Indeed, a good portion of the way 

 is an old wagon-road, which, according to Lott Huntingdon, was used by a party of 

 emigrants who attempted to make their way from Fillmore to California and perished 

 (On our return trip, however, we got on this road, and were told by the Indians that 

 it had been made by the Mormons the spring previous, and was, without question, 

 that which they made when they fled before the approach of the troops, and when it 

 was reported they had gone to Silver Mountains.) 



