363 Expedition to the 



more than one hundred miles eastward from their base. 

 They consist of ridges, knobs and peaks, variously disposed, 

 among which are interspersed many broad and fertile vallies. 

 The more elevated parts of the mountains are covered with 

 perpetual snows, which contribute to give them a luminous, 

 and at a great distance even a brilliant appearance, whence 

 they have derived the name of the Shining mountains. 



Between the Arkansa and Platte, on a small creek tribu- 

 tary to the former, is situated a high part of the mountains, 

 denominated the " Highest Peak," on many maps of the 

 country, and said to be more elevated than any other part, 

 within the distance of one hundred and fifty, or two hundred 

 miles. This peak, whose summit has been accounted inac- 

 cessible, was ascended by a detachment of the Expedition, 

 conducted by Dr. James, from which circumstance it has 

 been called James' Peak. Its elevation above the common 

 level, ascertained by a trigonometrical measurement, is about 

 eight thousand five hundred feet. But, the correctness of 

 the statement, that it is higher than any other part of the 

 mountain within the distance above mentioned, is questiona- 

 ble. Judging from the position of the snow near the sum- 

 mits of other peaks and ridges at no great distance from it, 

 a much greater elevation is apparent. 



The mountains are clad in a scattering growth of scrubby 

 pines, oak, cedar, and furze, and exhibit a very rugged and 

 broken aspect. The rocky formations embodied in them, con- 

 trary to the opinion generally received, are uniformly of a 

 primitive character, consisting of granite, gneiss, quartz, 

 rocks, &c. It should be remarked, however, that a deep 

 crust of secondary rocks, the same as the stratifications of 

 the plains before mentioned, appears to recline against the 

 east side of the mountains, extending upward from their 

 base, many hundred feet. 



At the base of James' peak above designated, are two re- 

 markable springs of water, considerably copious, and strong- 

 ly impregnated with fixed air. At the place also where the 

 Arkansa issues from the mountains, are several medicinal 

 springs, on the north side of the river, rising in a small area 

 at the base of the mountain. These springs were discovered 

 by captain Bell, and in consequence we have taken the liberty 

 to call them Bell's springs. They are six in number, one of 

 which is strongly impregnated with fixed air, another with 

 sulphuretted hydrogen, and the rest, with salt and sulphur — 

 the water of all being more or less chalybeate. 



