1778 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



his family to the lower river from Canon City, Colo., in September last, locating, with 

 some 60 head of cattle, about 6 miles below the line of the Ute Reserve, deserves the 

 credit of having first made the passage of the canon with a Avagon, it having been pre- 

 viously considered wholly impassable. His team consisted of four yoke of oxen, with 

 a second wagon trailing behind. Both were safely gotten through, without damage 

 or uncoupling. 



Beyond the Indian Reserve the high hills are broken down to the south, and the val- 

 ley opens, increasing rapidly in width to 2,000 and 2,500 yards, which is exceeded be- 

 low toward its mouth, making it a most valuable agricultural section. The high 

 growth and abundance of sage and cacti are full proof of the fertility of the soil. 

 Reaching the immediate bottoms, the luxuriance of willow and a large variety of un- 

 dergrowth, including wild oats and varied grasses between the cottonwoods fringing 

 the river, attest its richness. 



The bounding rocky walls of the valley have decreased in size but have become 

 very attractive, and for some distance, chiefly upon the west side, they possess a sin- 

 gular beauty. With funnel-shaped portions of the sides eroded, the rest of the outer 

 walls stand forth the frusta of huge pyramids and beautiful bas-reliefs from the 

 water-sculpture adorn the valley sides. The huge masses of the Upper Cretaceous 

 have disappeared, and underlying strata of shales, and lime, and sandstones are seen. 

 (See figure.) Instead of the bright yellow above, beautiful bands stretch over the 



Ou the Lower Animas. 



fronts of the pyramids, vari-colored and perfectly parallel, of yellow, bluish-gray, and 

 other attractive hues. 



This lower valley of the Animas can be easily irrigated. It will produce immense 

 ■crops, and affords room for a large population. From its altitude and situation, its 

 winter climate is undoubtedly very fine; and but little snow, if any, can lie in this 

 valley. 



Of all the land lying in the Lower Animas and Florida, the most barren and desolate 

 sections are contained within the boundaries of the Indian reservation. 



The settlers were much scattered, and few had accomplished inore than the building 

 of their cabins. In the aggregate were found upon the river about 250 head of horses, 

 the cattle amounting to about 1,900, passing en route a herd of 700 sheep, belonging 

 to Mexicans, here temporarily only. 



THE LA PLATA. 



The Rio de la Plata, or the River of Silver, derives its name from the mountains whence 

 it springs, which for a long time have been, by both Mexicans and Indians, believed 

 to contain quantities of the precious metal ; a tradition not without foundation. 



Between Animas City and the La Plata, the only portions of a possible value of 

 vegetal and more extensive crops are the limited areas of the lower x^arts of Junction 

 •and Lightner Creeks. Up the former the immediate trail from Animas City passes, 

 and along the latter for a short distance is the toll-road to Parrott. 



The area along both streams, already referred to, is inconsiderable save at their 

 mouths, being confined and limited between rolling hills. Most of the ranches seen 

 were evidently those of late comers, the largest place on Junction Creek being 50 acres, 

 .all fenced, of which but 3 were under cultivation. 



The toll-road is well located along on a natural route, is in good order, and affords 

 'easy communication between the two rivers, the trail being some distance to the north, 

 and shorter. 



The hills are of the same general series as those on the Animas below the town, not- 

 ing the absence of the upper sandstones ; along the divide between the two creeks 

 exposures of the underlying shales were observed. 



Reaching the La Plata itself about Parrott City, its seat of thickest population, we 

 have made but slight descent from the long divide climbed from the Animas. This 

 section is therefore, from its height, not adapted to the growth of cereals, its elevation 

 being over 2,000 feet above that of the same latitude on the Animas. 



This river, emerging from a gorge in the La Plata Mountains, at whose mouth lies 

 the town on a high and grassy tableland called the Mesa Verde, or " green table," 

 from its level surface, stretching out from the mountains, is a clear and beautiful trout- 

 stream, and was 16 feet by 8 inches when crossed there late in September. 



