16 RECONNAISSANCE FROM CARROLL, MONTANA, 
tlements, but several miles longer than the other, called the “ outer” route, which, returning nearly 
to Brewer’s Springs, goes up the South Fork of Deep Creek almost direct to Hilis, passing between 
the Crazy and Big Belt Mountains. From the springs south, the valley is at first broad and level 
and heavily grassed, the creek flowing northward. Many antelope were seen grazing in the mead- 
ows. Camp was made at 3.30 p. m. near a fresh, cold spring issuing from the hill- 
side on the east bank of the creek. The locality is the ordinary halting-place, 
twenty-seven miles out of Baker, and is called Moss Agate Springs. The grazing and water are 
excellent, but the supply of wood is small. 
August 8,—Course continued nearly south up the valley. The creek gradually became smaller 
and finally was dry. “Sixteen-mile Creek”, a branch of the Missouri, flowing a strong current west 
and south, was crossed eleven miles from camp, and the road beyond lay over a dry, yellow, gently- 
undulating prairie, which farther on grew more hilly, and became an interminable waste of sage- 
brush. The antelope were numerous during the day. Cottonwood Creek, a small branch of Shield’s 
River, was crossed thirteen and a half miles from Sixteen-mile Creek. The water is pure and 
Camponbranchof Plenty, and the valley well supplied with cotton-wood trees. Continuing, the sage- 
Blnelds! HIver: brush still occupied the ground, and camp was finally made on a small creek flow- 
ing east, the valley of which furnished an ample supply of excellent water and grass, and wood 
sufficient for camping purposes. Bridger Pass appeared seven or eight miles south of us, and 
Flathead Pass opened.to the westward through the Big Belt Range. 
August 9.—Pulled outat6a.m. The trail ledinto a broad valley, stretching eastward at the foot 
of the mountains, richly grassed, intersected by several small streams, and affording the finest pas- 
turage for three or four herds of cattle which were browsing in the meadow. These had probably 
been driven over the mountains from the Gallatin Valley for the summer. Crossing the valley 
brought us to the foot-bills of Bridger Pass, which, though much lower than the 
neighboring mountains, still gave promise of an arduous climb for the heavy 
wagons. A creek flows out of the pass, up the valley of which a road of fair grade could be easily 
constructed. In the absence of this, the trail climbs several steep hills in succession, alternately 
ascending and descending, but constantly rising, though with more than double the necessary labor, 
until at the summit of a long, sloping hog-back, falling steeply on both sides, a preliminary divide 
was reached, whence descent was made, following a small branch, into the valley of Brackett’s 
Creek. This is a tributary of Shield’s River, flowing eastward and separating the 
group of mountains over which we had passed from the main range, the pass 
through which still lay before us. Crossing the creek, the second ascent was found to be more 
gradual and less severe than the former, although of about equal altitude. Reaching the second 
summit, the descent began down the left bank of Bridger Creek, flowing southward. The peaks 
to the west across the valley were lofty, varied in form, and from certain points 
of view exceedingly fine. Huge patches of snow rested in the more sheltered 
places on their summits, and one could begin to realize the altitude of 10,000 feet above the sea, 
which sufficed to maintain this wintry feature even under the clear, hot rays of the summer sun. 
The timber throughout the pass is pine, with various small woods in the creek bottoms. Grass is 
abundant, even among the timber, and the brooks are bright mountain-streams constantly fed from 
the snow-fields above, and abounding with trout. Elk and deer are numerous, though they are 
driven from the immediate vicinity of the trail by frequent travel and possibly by the flies, which in 
great numbers and varieties proved a serious annoyance to the cattle. Still following Bridger 
Creek, the road made along bend to the south and west, around the base of Bridger Mountain, into 
the main valley, which turns west to join that of the Gallatin. Crossing the creek, the trail wound 
Hort wiicendhe OYOT a Tange of hills, and descended into the valley of the North Gallatin, upon 
sa the south bank of which, three or four miles farther west, Fort Ellis is situated. 
The Bozeman Pass road, leading east and south to the Yellowstone, climbs the 
hill-side opposite to where the road reaches the river. 
Fort Ellis stands near the head of the Gallatin Valley, for the defense of which it was constructed. 
It appears as an assemblage of log houses, irregularly placed from frequent additions, of uninvitin g 
exterior, but comfortable within. The garrison, General Sweitzer commanding, includes four com- 
panies of the Second Cavalry and one of the Seventh Infantry; but during the summer the mounted 
Moss A gate Springs. 
Bridger Pass. 
Brackett’s Creek. 
Bridger Mountains. 
