SURVEYS OF FOREST RESERVES. 13 



Eiver, and on Wolf Creek. On the whole, however, the mining indus- 

 try in the Bighorn Mountains is at present a trifling matter. 



There is no arable land within the limits of the reserve. Although 

 there is an abundance of open country and of water for irrigation, the 

 altitude is so great and consequently the climate is so severe that the 

 cultivation of any but the hardiest crops is impracticable. 



TETON FOREST RESERVE. 



The following are the limits, as described in the Executive order 

 establishing the reserve: 



Beginning at the southeast corner of township forty-three (43) north, range one 

 hundred and ten (110) west, sixth (6th) principal meridian, Wyoming; thence north- 

 erly along the surveyed and unsurveyed range line between ranges one hundred and 

 nine (109) and one hundred and ten (110) west, to the point of intersection with the 

 south boundary of the Yellowstone National Park Timber Land Reserve as established 

 by proclamation of September tenth, eighteen hiindred and ninety-one; thence west- 

 erly along said boundary to its intersection with the boundary line between the 

 States of Wyoming and Idaho ; thence southerly along said State boundary line to 

 the point for the unsurveyed township line between townships forty-two (42) and 

 forty-three (43) north; thence easterly along the unsurveyed and surveyed township 

 line between townships forty-two (42) and forty-three (43) north, to the southeast 

 corner of township fm-ty-three (43) north, range one hundred and ten (110) west, the 

 place of beginning. 



Survey. — As a portion of the area included in this reserve was known 

 to be settled, and as initial geodetic positions and level elevations were 

 available, the work planned was to secure additional triangulation con- 

 trol, to commence the leveling, and to begin the preliminary work for 

 mapping the eastern part of the reserve. The necessary outfit for two 

 parties of five men each was procured at Idaho Falls, Idaho, this being 

 the nearest available outfitting point. Field work was commenced 

 July 18, and stopped on October 18. 



The total sum expended to date is $4,807. 



The practical results accomplished are the location of eight triangu- 

 lation stations within the reserve, the ruimiug of 154 miles of accurate 

 spirit level lines, the establishment of 13 level bench marks, the sur- 

 vey of 173 miles of road, and the careful location of 60 land survey 

 corners. The work is now in such condition that topographic surveys 

 can be commenced, when the weather permits, without any additional 

 office or field work. 



Examination of forests. — This work was assigned to Dr. T. S. Bran- 

 degee, who was employed as special field assistant for this purpose. 

 He commenced work about the 1st of July and concluded about the 

 end of September. 



Topography. — The principal relief features are simple. Traversing 

 the reserve from north to south, near its western boundary, is the Teton 

 Eange. This has an average breadth of 12 to 15 miles, and is extremely 

 rugged, rising in the highest summit, the Grand Teton, to an altitude 

 of 13,870 feet, while the average altitude of the range is probably not 

 far from 12,000 feet. On the west the mountains descend quite steeply 

 to Teton Basin, across the eastern upper edge of which runs the west 

 boundary of the reserve at an altitude of 6,500 to 7,000 feet. On the 

 east the Teton Eange descends by clifl's and extremely steep slopes to 

 the valley known as Jackson Hole. This is a broad expanse, extend- 

 ing from the north boundary of the reserve in a direction a little west 



