80 FROM FORT BRIDGER TO GREAT SALT LAKE CITY. 



the way up, and a considerable quantity of small cotton-wood tim- 

 ber cut out. The upper strata on this branch appeared to be 

 nearly analogous to those met with on Red Chimney Fork. We 

 followed this ridge or table in a north-west direction for several 

 miles, when we became involved among numerous ravines which 

 ran to the south, and were too deep and abrupt to be available. 

 In order to avoid them, the trace must be thrown so much to the 

 north, that even were a road practicable up to this point, it would 

 be entirely too crooked ; and great difficulty, moreover, would have 

 to be encountered in crossing the immense ravines which lay at 

 the eastern base of the ranges bordering the Salt Lake. Some of 

 these ravines run down into Ogden's Creek, and others into Bear 

 River below the point at which we crossed it. Time would not 

 admit of my pursuing the examination farther in this direction. 

 My train had left Fort Bridger several days before me, and would 

 be awaiting my arrival at Great Salt Lake City to commence the 

 survey which was the more immediate object of the expedition. 

 I, therefore, although with the greatest reluctance, concluded to 

 make the best of my way to the lake, passing through Ogden's 

 Hole, and thence crossing the high range dividing it from Salt 

 Lake Valley, by a pass which the guide informed me existed there. 

 We accordingly changed our course, and turning down a steep, nar- 

 row ravine for wood and water, encamped. The night was very cold, 

 and ice formed in the buckets nearly an inch thick. We constructed 

 a semicircular barricade of brush to keep off the wind, and, by the 

 aid of a large fire of pine-logs, passed the night very comfortably. 



The soil on the ridge passed over to-day, seemed formed princi- 

 pally from red sandstone, and the boulders are primitive. The 

 country is much better wooded, the timber being willow, aspen, 

 and, in the ravines, tall firs and pines. The geranium was abund- 

 ant : two or three yellow compositoe and asters were observed. 



Sunday^ August 26. — Morning very cold. Ther. at sunrise, 

 16°. Our provisions being nearly exhausted, I determined to go 

 on for at least a part of the day, although contrary to my usual 

 practice, this being the first Sabbath on which any travelling has 

 been done since the party left the Missouri. After following some 

 miles down the ravine upon which we had encamped, we struck 

 upon an Indian lodge-trail, leading either to Cache Valley or to 

 Ogden's Hole. This we followed in nearly a southerly direction, 

 crossing many deep hollows and very steep ridges, up which we 

 had to scramble, leading our mules, (it being impossible to ride,) 



