GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TEREITOEIES. 93 



90 feet per mile. Farther west another low divide is found between 

 Shoshone Lake and the Fire-Hole Eiver, which can be passed with a 

 grade of not over 105 feet per mile. Following the water-shed in a 

 northwesterly direction it gently varies in elevation and can be crossed 

 by wagon-roads at many points. For a railroad the Tyghee Pass is the 

 next and last available one. Another obstacle in the way of approach 

 from the south of the park might be seen in the Teton Eange, but on 

 closer examination a pass is discovered near the southwest corner of the 

 park where that grand chain diminishes so considerably in height and 

 ruggedness that comparatively easy grades for a railroad can be obtained. 

 Finding no serious obstruction, therefore, we proceed to consider the 

 special localities best adapted for lines of approach. 



Commencing in the south we first propose a route which is equally 

 well suited for a wagon or rail road, as the grade is easy and water and 

 timber are abundant. 



Leaving the above-described proposed railroad from Oorinne to Mon- 

 tana a few minutes north of the forty-fourth parallel, in the valley of 

 Henry's Fork, it would run eastwardly, following up the valley of Falls 

 Eiver. For thirteen miles the average grade would be 41 feet per mile, 

 for the next twenty miles it would be 61 feet per mile, which would 

 bring the road to the western slope of the Teton Eange through a slightly 

 undulating country. At the mouth of Falls Eiver JPass the most diffi- 

 cult portion of the whole line would commence and extend for six miles 

 up to the di\ide near the Beulah Lakes. It would require an average 

 grade of 96 feet per mile, reaching an elevation of about 7,525 feet. The 

 valley ascends gradually and x^reseuts no serious difficulty in obtaining 

 a uniform grade for the entire distance. In entering Falls Eiver Pass 

 we, at the same time, enter a gateway of the i)ark, as the boundary-line 

 crosses at the entrance. Gradually ascending, the road leads through 

 a fine valley a few miles wide, bordered on both sides with rocky bluffs, 

 inclosing a beautiful river which, taking its source from five enormous 

 springs breaking out of the steep rocky walls and thence flowing 

 through the Lower Beulah Lake, descends the valley in a number of 

 rapids and falls which have suggested its name. The largest fall, 145 

 feet in height, is surrounded by a grotesque group of columns of rock 

 much like Tower Falls near the Yellowstone Eiver. After reaching the 

 lakes, the road would continue eastwardly for about six miles, rising 

 with a very slight grade and followijig the northern slope of the valley 

 over a divide hardly perceptible, and not to be located without careful 

 examination. Here it reaches the valley of the Union or Lake Fork of 

 Snake Eiver, entering upon a plateau or mesa from which the river 

 can be seen several hundred feet below, flowing through a steep and 

 gloomy cafion. On either side of the cafion the ground is gently rolling 

 and is well fitted for a road, especially upon the eastern bank. Follow- 

 ing nearly parallel with the river a distance of eleven miles, we would 

 be brought to Lewis Lake, at the foot of Mount Sheridan, which could 

 be easily visited from this point. It is the loftiest peak of a prominent 

 group, entirely surrounded by comparatively flat country and affording 

 the most extensive panoramic view of any mountain in the park. A 

 more minute description of this peak can be found elsewhere in the 

 report. From Lewis Lake it would be advisable to separate into two 

 branches, one taking a northwesterly course to the Geysers and another 

 a northeasterly to the Yellowstone Lake, Eiver, and Cafion. The first- 

 mentioned could take the following route : About ten miles on a level 

 to, Shoshone Geyser Basin 5 thence four miles, with a grade of 70 feet 



