APPENDIX SS. 1805 



drecls of prospectors have passed over it, and it is one of the most important routes in 

 the entire region. About 6 miles below the mouth of the Vallecito a trail from the 

 Florida, 4 miles in length, reaches the Los Pinos. 



THE FLORIDA. 



As already mentioned, the valleys of the Upper Florida are readily reached by trail, 

 but its headwaters are inaccessible to man or beast, and save at but few points can the 

 quartzite crags that guard them be climbed over and descended by any human being. 



From Animas City a short route to the Rio Grande is via the road to the Florida, by 

 trail up that river, across to the Los Pinos, up the canon of the latter and via Weemi- 

 nuche Pass to the river below, in all some 60 miles, 5 miles being added if the trail to 

 the right of the Los Pinos Canon be taken. From the river opposite Weeminuche 

 Pass to Alden's Junction, in Antelope Park, the distance is 19 miles. 



On the Lower Florida a trail passes to the Las Animas, connecting with the trail for 

 the San Juan. 



THE RIO DE LAS ANIMAS. 



From Animas City to the mouth of the river a good trail exists to the San Juan. 

 The trip can be made in the lower part on the trail following along in the river-bot- 

 tom ; but in high stages of the water, the trail on the high mesa crowning the right 

 bank should be followed. A trail from the Florida reaches the Animas about 4 miles 

 above its mouth, below which, at about the same distance to the south, is the line of 

 the Indian reserve. Within this canon region, in its course to the south, the trail 

 crosses and recrosses the river five times within a short distance, after which it con- 

 tinues on the left bank. 



The distance from Animas City to the San Juan is about 60 miles. Below Animas 

 City a few miles a short trail passes to the La Plata. Farther down, about 5 miles 

 above the large ruins upon the west bank of the river, a trail enters the Canon Arido 

 and reaches the San Juan at the mouth of the Canon del Gobernador on the river 

 above the great Canon Largo. 



THE RIO LA PLATA. 



From the Rio de las Animas, part way ascending Junction Creek, a trail connects 

 Parrott with Animas City. A " short cut," as we were informed, and but 12 miles in 

 length, proved to be about 50 per cent, more, and but little less than the toll-road. A 

 trail up the river from Parrott City to its head crosses the range, and continues to the 

 East Fork of the Dolores. This has been traversed, but is not attempted by prospect- 

 ors. In preference, they make a long detour to and beyond the Mancos. 



THE RIO MANCOS. 



To the north from the union of the forks of the river a trail passes up the West Fork 

 of the stream, towards the upper part of the Lost Canon and the region of the East 

 Fork of the Dolores. To the south along the settlements is a wagon-road, and beyond 

 that a trail continues the entire length of the river to its mouth, connecting with the 

 great trail along the San Juan. From a point on the west bank of the river about 6 

 miles below the road a trail passes to the west above the line of mesas and to the 

 north of Ute Mountain into Arizona, reaching the San Juan some distance beyond the 

 border. 



THE RIO DOLORES AND BEYOND. 



The shortest trail to the Dolores from the Mancos is from the union of its forks 18£ 

 miles north of west. En route a trail crosses the Lost Canon and passes north to the 

 junction of the East and West Forks of the Dolores (sometimes known also as the 

 North and South). 



A trail follows up the East Fork, branching near its head. One part ascends the 

 stream and, crossing at its head to Cascade Creek, follows down to connect with the 

 Animas trail to Silverton ; the other goes northeast to San Miguel or Front Lake. 

 About 5 miles from the lake, southeast of Mount Wilson (Hayden) or Glacier Peak 

 (Wheeler), some 14,300 feet in height, lies the mining-camp upon the Dolores, a section 

 of whose mineral wealth many reports were heard. From its common use by those 

 Indians, and its leading to their reserve, this is generally called the "Ute" trail, and 

 branches at the lake ; one part passes up the Lake Fork of the San Miguel 11 miles to 

 that river and continues on via Uncompahgre Park to the Indian agency and Ouray, 

 the latter distance about 20 miles, while the other reaches Silverton via Mineral Creek, 

 about 19 miles. At the big bend of the Dolores many trails congregate, its location 

 and water supply making it a desirable point. The connections are to all points, are 

 important, and may be described in the following manner : 



The Uncompahgre trail. — From the Big Bend the trail passes northeast about 10 miles 

 to Plateau Creek, locally known as "Beaver Creek," 16 miles up which is reached a 



