MARVI^-E.] GEOLOGY — TOPOGEAPHICAL FEATURES. 87 



cliffs to a series of amphitheaters which make up the frout, each with 

 Its hank of suow lying up against the base of its rocky walls. Some of 

 the rounded spurs reaching eastward between these amphitheaters 

 afford a means of access to the ridge. Thus, at the north end of this 

 depressed region, and directly at the base of Arapahoe Peak, is the 

 Caribou Pass, as yet not well opened, and unpromising ; about midway 

 of its length is the Boulder or Eollinsville Pass, (about 11,400 feet,) now 

 reached by a road over which wagons can pass ; while at its southern 

 end, below the walls of James Peak, is the James Peak trail, a wagon- 

 road from Central City reaching as yet only to the base of the Peak.* 



The western slope from this ridge is of a very different character from 

 the eastern slope. Though of course having many of the characteris- 

 tics of a rugged mountain region, yet, as compared with the east slope, 

 it has no precipitous front, but its massive westward spurs fall in 

 rounded, gently-molded slopes, not separated by deep caiions, to the 

 basin-like depression of the Frazier Eiver. The line of separation be- 

 tween this region and the rugged mountain area at the north is exceed- 

 ingly sharp, and is occupied by the East Fork of the Grand. Eising 

 from the caiion of the latter on the north and east is the maze of peaks 

 and rugged ridges, separated by profound gorges and amphitheaters, 

 which drain into the East Fork. The south bank of the caiion, however, 

 is cut by no important side gorge, but only by local gulches; and rising 

 up its steep but even slope the summit ridge is found to be a compara- 

 tively smooth table or plateau, sloping westward, with gentle eleva- 

 tions here and there. All these massive spurs to the south have these 

 more gentle slopes, and are remarkably similar in general section. 



At James Peak, (13,283 feet,) there rises another group of rugged 

 mountain points, among which are Mount Parry and Mount Flora. Here 

 the divide bends more and more westward, and after making a southing 

 of about five miles and a westing of about ten miles, it again swings 

 southward for seven or eight miles and then southeastward for about 

 an equal distance, taking the famous Gray and Torrey Peaks on the way, 

 the former being 14,340 feet high, and the latter but about 5 feet lower. 

 Though from here the drainage divide turns again, westward and south- 

 ward, passing into the South Park, or middle division of the survey, yet 

 the higher ridge runs eastward as a great spur which culminates in 

 Mount Evans, a great massive mountain, which rivals Gray and Torrey 

 in altitude. From James around to Evans is thus a great western loop, 

 inclosing the headwaters of Clear Creek. It represents, also, a high 

 mountain region, not as a whole, i)erhaps, so rugged as the Long's Peak 

 mass, but more extensive, spread out, and diversified in its character, 

 yet possessing some of the grandest mountain features and most im- 

 I)ressiv-e scenery. 



After leaving the James and Parry groups of peaks, and passing 

 westward along the northern side of the loop, the ridge becomes less 

 rugged, somewhat resembling that north of James Peak, while some of 

 the separating valleys are cut to the timber-line. One of these forms 

 Berthoud's Pass, (11,349 feet. Parry,) the summit of which is not much 

 more than seven miles from Empire City, on the North Fork of South 

 Clear Creek, and over which a wagon-road exists, and a narrow-gauge 

 railway-line has actually been surveyed over to the South Forks of the 

 Frazer Eiver. The break next to Berthoud's Pass is called Vasquez Pass, 

 (about 11,500 feet.) 



The mountain spurs descending northward to the Frazer here pre- 



*For passes and meaus of communication generally, with information given more 

 in detail than here, the reader is referred to the report of Mr. S. B. Ladd. 



