48 FORT YUMA TO MOJAVE CANON—PURPLE HILLS. 
Passing another basin, and a third and smaller range, we emerged from the Purple Hills and 
came in sight of an immense valley stretching far to the northwest and southeast, flanked 
beyond by the lofty summits of the Dome Rock range. The river swept around to the west, 
and soon entered a gorge or cafion more rugged and precipitous than any yet traversed. The 
overhanging rocks presented combinations of colors still more unusual and striking than those 
below, and at intervals would recede from and again approach to the brink of the water. On 
either side was a border of canes. The stream was open and unobstructed, and better deserved 
the name of a river than any part of it we had navigated since leaving Fort Yuma. 
Just before reaching our present camp, which isa little more than 20 miles from Explorer’ s Pass, 
a sudden turn brought Chimney Peak full in view. Its turretted pinnacles towered directly 
in front, and almost seemed to block up the head of the cafion. The vista was beautiful, and 
the channel looked promising. There was a fine head of steam on, and we anticipated making 
Fig. 3.—Purple Hills, 
at least ten miles before dark, when one ot the rudder stocks broke. We were obliged to haul 
up to the bank to make a new one, and darkness came on before this was accomplished. 
ihe country through which we have passed is quite destitute of vegetation. Close to the 
river is an occasional growth of mezquite, cottonwood, or willow, which furnishes abundant 
materials for fuel; but the hills are bare, and the gravelly beds of the valleys sustain only 
desert shrubs, There are many varieties of cactus, among which the fluted columns of the 
cereus giganteus stand in conspicuous relief. 
In the rocks which compose the Purple Hills, Dr. Newberry has discovered the presence of 
gold, iron, and lead. Veins of copper and argentiferous galena have been already worked, 
and with prospects of successful returns. : 
