GA20TETT.] PRINCIPAL PASSES IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS. 675 



PRINCIPAL PASSES IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS. 



The following are the practicable passes in the main range : 



Georgia Pass, at the head of Michigan Greek, north of Sonth Park. 

 Its elevation is 11,811 feet, while the level of South Park, in the neigh- 

 borhood, is about 10,000 feet. The grades are easy on both sides, and 

 a small outlay of money would suffice to build a good wagon-road over 

 it. An indifferent one now exists. 



Tarryall Pass, a few miles west of the latter. Elevation, approxi 

 mately, 12,000 feet. The stage-line from Breckenridge to South Park 

 crosses this pass. The approaches are equally easy with the latter, and 

 road well built. 



Hoosier Pass, near the head of the South Platte. Elevation, 11,540 

 feet, while Montgomery, on the South Platte, just at the foot of the 

 pass, has an elevation of 11,540 feet. The ascent on the south side is 

 extremely steep, and the road is obliged to wind a great deal to over- 

 come the ascent. On the north side it is not as steep. 



Tennessee Pass, at the heads of the Arkansas and Eagle Eivers. 

 Elevation, 10,418 feet. The easiest pass over the main range in the 

 Territory, if not in the United States, with the exception of Reynolds 

 Pass, Montana. 



Erying-Pan Pass, at the heads of Colorado Gulch and Frying-Pan 

 Creek. Elevation, 12,017 feet. This pass is very steep and difficult on ■ 

 both sides, more particularly so on the east side. 



Lake Creek Pass, at the head of the South Fork of Lake Creek. Ele- 

 vation, 12,329 feet. This is quite steep on both sides, but rather more so 

 on the west. The summit of the pass is covered with shingle, which 

 increases its difficulty. 



In the Park Eange the most northerly pass is the Mosquito Pass, at 

 the head of Mosquito Gulch. Its elevation is 13,438. The ascent is 

 steep, and difficult for pack-animals on both sides ; and except in mid- 

 summer, there is a great deal of snow on the trail. 



Weston's Pass, Park Eange, at the head of the Little Platte. Eleva- 

 tion, 11,676. A good wagon-road crosses this pass. The ascent on the 

 South Park side is by easy grades, but on the Arkansas side it is much 

 steeper. 



Trout Creek Pass, Park Eange. Elevation, 9,346 feet. This pass is 

 through the low rugged hills south of Buffalo Peaks, and near the salt- 

 works. The stage-road to the Arkansas Valley crosses this pass. It is 

 an extremely easy one. 



The Elk Mountains can be crossed by a pack-train in .several places, 

 ■with more or less difficulty. Near the head of the main Gunnison the 

 summit of the range is broad and flat, and though the ascent on each 

 side is extremely steep and rocky, still it is j)racticable. Elevation, 

 11,795 feet. 



At the head of East Eiver there is quite an easy pass to the head of 

 Eock Creek. One of the main trails between the White Eiver and the 

 Los Pinos agencies crosses the range at this pass. The elevation is 

 about 11,163 feet. 



MEANS OF COMIMUNICATION. 



The Denver and Eio Grande Eailroad (narrow gauge) runs nearly 

 north and south from Denver to Pueblo, on the Arkansas Eiver, at the 

 east foot of the Colorado Eange. This is the only railroad at present in 

 operation in this district, bnt surveys for railroads have been made from 

 Denver and Colorado Springs to Fairplay and the Arkansas Valley. 



