64 Expedition to the 



but of a degree of candour and veracity which gives credi- 

 bility to his accounts and descriptions. To him we are in- 

 debted for the following account of the country within the 

 mountains. 



The region, lying west of the first range of the Rocky 

 Mountains and between the sources of the Yellow-stone, on 

 the north, and Santa Fe, on the south, consists of ridges of 

 mountains, spurs, and vallies. The mountains are usually 

 abrupt, often towering into inaccessible peaks, covered w^ith 

 perpetual snows. The interior ranges and spurs are gene- 

 rally more elevated than the exterior : this conclusion is 

 at least naturally drawn from the fact that they are cover- 

 ed with snow to a greater extent below their summits. 

 Although that point which we have denominated James' 

 Peak has been represented as higher than any other part of 

 the mountains, within one hundred or one hundred and 

 fifty miles, we are iiiclined to believe it falls much below 

 several other peaks, and particularly that which was for 

 many days observed by the party, when ascending the 

 Platte. 



The vallies within the Rocky Mountains are many of 

 them extensive, being from ten to twenty or thirty miles in 

 width, and are traversed by many large and beautiful streams. 

 In these vallies, which are destitute of timber, the soil is 

 frequently fertile and covered with a rich growth of a white 

 flowering clover, upon which horses and other animals feed 

 with avidity. The vallies have an undulated surface and 

 are terminated on all sides by gentle slopes, leading up to 

 the base of the circumjacent mountains. Timber may be 

 had, on the declivities of the hills, in sufficient quantity to 

 subserve the purposes of settlement. The soil is deep, well 

 watered, and adapted to cultivation. 



The Indians, who inhabit within the mountains, are roving 

 bands, having no permanent places of residence, and sub- 

 sisting entirely on the products of the chase. The people 



