BECHLEK] WHITE EIVER VALLEY YAMPA PLATEAU. 369 



miles and the average height" of the line of hogbacks is from 7,000 to 

 7,200 feet elevation. 



Beginning at the crest of the hogbacks the descent is westward to- 

 ward the Green Eiver, where the latter is flowing in Wonsits Valley. 



The general surface is slightly undulating, with here and there pul- 

 pit-like exposures rising above the surrounding level. While cactus 

 represents for miles the only vegetation, sage is mingled with it in the 

 highest and flatest portion of the plateau. 



We become tired and weary with the monotonous sight of naked hills, 

 terraces, prickly-pears, and sage. If the variety of color in the strata 

 along the hillsides or exposed in banks and terraces gives often a pleas- 

 ant warm tint and produces an admirable picturesque effect, it can never 

 altogether compensate us for the total absence of forest vegetation and 

 grass, without which there is but little charm in a landscape. 



THE GE,EAT YAMPA PLATEAU. 



The most interesting upheaval or orographic structure in the western 

 portion of the district between White and Yampa Rivers is the Great 

 Yampa Plateau, a high table-laud which, comprising betsveeu 300 and 

 350 square miles of area, exhibits very abrupt faces around nearly its 

 whole circumference. The surface of the plateau is undulating and 

 better adapted for grazing purposes than any other part of the entire 

 district. 



On the eastern half of the Plateau along Fox Creek springs and even 

 running water may be found. Along the northern lines of bluffs which 

 front Yampa Eiver, the plateau is higher than elsewhere. The height 

 is about 3,600 feet above the Yampa and Green Eiver Junction, while 

 the total elevation above sea-level is 9,000 feet. In this area there is 

 only one point, viz, Tank Peak ; it attains a height of 9,200 feet and is 

 situated in longitude 108° 45' and about four miles south of Yampa Eiver. 



The southwestern part of the plateau contains the most level surface 

 and is about 200 feet lower than the northern portion. Its average alti- 

 tude is 8,800 feet. The surface on this side of the plateau is covered 

 with occasional patches of brushwood. Along the debris — slopes and 

 spurs and beneath the most abrupt sides which the plateau presents, 

 dwarf pines and pinons are found in abundance. 



There is some drainage starting along the bluffs, but the principal 

 drainage arising on the plateau seeks an outlet chiefly to the north and 

 east. The creeks having a tendency to flow northward break through 

 the strata and rapidly descend through narrow defiles to their mouths 

 in the Yampa Eiver. 



The eastward-flowing streams which unite in the channel of Fox- 

 Creek, have produced a deep concavity in the centre of the eastern half 

 of the plateau. (See profiles of the Great Yampa Plateau.) In this 

 basin we find not only splendid grass, but also good water suflicient for 

 all ordinary purposes. The soil, however, absorbs the running water 

 before it reaches the lower end of the basin. The plateau can be as- 

 cended only from two sides unless we are light-footed and good climbers. 

 The depression which Fox Creek has cut in the plateau affords the 

 easiest means for ascending it. With some greater difficulty the plateau 

 can be ascended on the west side along the slope which descends toward 

 Cub Creek. 



The plateau region abounds in game, though we had not the good for- 

 tune to be benefited thereby. The western rim of the plateau faces 

 Green Eiver and Split Mountain, where Green Eiver Canon terminates 

 24 a 



