EHODA.] GEOGRAPHY EXPLOEATION OF CANONS. 485 



elevated stand-point, as if laid down on a map. Lizard's Head, a few 

 miles east of us, formed a very prominent feature in the landscape, 

 although, looking at it from our elevation, (14,280 feet,) its height did 

 not show. From this direction it appears quite broad, from the fact that 

 its greatest length is from north to south. To the west of us and quite 

 near was a pretty high mountain. Beyond it were scattered a number 

 of sharp, isolated peaks, mostly under 13,000 feet in elevation, while still 

 farther to the west extensive piateaus reached to the horizon. In the far 

 southwest appeared several very dim, bluish mountains, probably con- 

 siderably over a hundred miles distant. Somewhat nearer to us, and a 

 little farther around toward the south, appeared Ute Peak, near the 

 southwest corner of Colorado. In the far northwest the Sierra La Sal 

 Mountains were distinctly visible. Much was also seen that has been 

 already described as having been seen from other stations. Mount Wil- 

 son is the highest mountain in Southwestern Colorado, and by far the 

 most massive. 



The descent was made with great care, and, luckily, without accident 

 either to ourselves or the instruments. The descent over the snowbank 

 was much easier than the ascent, being accomplished by simply sitting 

 down on the snow and letting gravity do the rest. Below it, we found 

 several holes among the loose rocks, which bears had pawed out for 

 beds, but we met none of the animals themselves. We reached camp 

 quite early. The total height climbed on foot was 2,500 feet. It was 

 not very tiresome, but by far the most dangerous of all the climbs of 

 the summer. 



After this we marched a short distance down the Dolores and made 

 stations 36 and 37. After that, returning by way of San Miguel Lake, 

 we recrossed the Bear Creek Pass, and camped at the creek junction, 

 where we had camped a week previous. The day alter, we rode to 

 Howardville. We had scarcely got our dinner, when Mr. Jackson and 

 party came up from their trip to the ruins, of which they gave glowing 

 accounts. On September 19 we started down the Animas, crossing, 

 over the southeast slope of Sultan Mountain, by the trail. We found 

 the trail very bad. At one point a tree-stump stood in it. 

 Some miners passing over this route a few days before had one of their 

 animals killed by its falling down the side of the mountain at this point. 

 The divide is about 10,400 feet in elevation, but the highest point of the 

 trail is several hundred feet higher. We camped near this latter point, 

 .and the next day left the train to follow the trail a few miles and 

 camp, while we rode in a southeasterly direction and made station 38, 

 on a rounded peak of quartzite, 13,046 feet in elevation. From In re we 

 obtained the most striking view of the quartzite mountains. The illus- 

 tration is reproduced *from a topographical sketch made at this station. 

 The point is on the brink of the great Animas Caiion, which here is 

 over 4,000 feet in depth ; a few miles farther down it is still deeper. The 

 total length of the Grand Canon, from the mouth of Mineral Creek down 

 to that of Cascade, is about seventeen miles ; below this, for about 

 seven miles, it becomes very narrow and straight, with a depth of about 

 1,000 feet. In returning to the trail we found the country terribly cut 

 up along the head branches of Lime Creek, and even after reaching the 

 trail it was not the easiest we had yet had. Judging from what I have 

 heard and seen of the pass to the west of Sultan Mountain, I think it a 

 much better route. Some fallen timber and swamp are encountered, 

 but not more than on this trail. We did not travel over it ourselves ; but 

 Mr. Jackson, who has been over both, gives the trail over the western 

 pass the preference. If ever a wagon-road can be built over into 



