INTEODUCTION 



branch of the Columbia Eiyer. This region is at present ^ 

 special interest, as being that through which the Northeij 

 Pacific Eailway Company proposes to cross the " Summ 

 Plateau." They intend entering it through Cadott's Pass, i 

 the Plat Head range, crossing at this point the continent; 

 divide (which is found here in the eastern main chain), at a 

 elevation of 5,330 feet. The railroad must then follow tl 

 general direction of the di-ainago towards the north-west, s 

 as to pass around the northern extremity of the Bitter Eo( 

 Moimtains, which it heads near Pend d' Oreille Lake, onl 

 2,020 feet above the sea, and 2'40 miles fi-om Cadott's Pas 

 As this pass (Cadott's) is only one out of several at the bac 

 of Helenaj and as it entails a long tnnnclj a better route wi' 

 in all probability be found when the district is tboi 

 snryeyed. All this region abounds in mineral wealth, espe- 

 cially in gold leadsj which have of lute years been so prod* 

 tive as to make Helena, the centre of the lariiest minin 

 district, a place of considerable importance. 



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The continental divide, having crossed the ^^ Summit Pla- 

 teau" through the Big Hole Mountains, traverses the westefl 

 chain in a south-easterly dii-ection for about a hundred milf 

 where it crosses the '' Summit Plateau," for a second time, « 

 right angles, passes into the Wind Eiver Mountains, and th^ 

 resumes its former general direction southward. The caste* 

 chain is here represented by hills forming the local diviff 

 between the Maddison and Jefferson rivers, which are tl 

 terminal forks of the Missoim. The central, or Park distii^ 

 much resembles that separated from it by the Big So- 

 transverse range. It is hilly, heavily timbered in places, ^ 

 contains several fertile parks, such as Big Hole Prairie, Hor 

 Prairie, and Hooked Man's Park. 



The duality of the chief ranges is not clearly defined f< 



