122 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



miles, and in their passage from the mountain they have not only worn 

 a deep channel in the steep side of the mountain, sometimes one thou- 

 sand feet or more in depth, but they have also scooped out a wide, deep 

 valley, which affords the best of pasture-ground for stock in summer, 

 and warm, sheltered places in winter. 



The main branch of the South Platte rises in the range of mountains 

 which bounds the west side of the South Park, and flows about northeast 

 to Cache a la Poudre, and there bends around slightly toward the east and 

 joins the main Platte. The little branches that flow from the mountain 

 sides are very numerous, and each one cuts a tremendous channel through 

 the sides of the mountain, affording most excellent sections of the strata 

 for the geologist. [Nearly all the branches that rise in the plains have 

 very wide valleys, but are mostly dry, especially in the latter part of 

 summer and autumn. Although the Platte Eiver is never navigable at 

 any season of the year, yet the area drained by it is immense, being 

 nearly three hundred thousand square miles*; and yet it is one of the 

 minor branches of the Missouri Eiver. 



The South Platte flows through the different formations along the 

 flanks of the mountain ; and in its course through the plains cuts the 

 lignite tertiary for fifty miles or more, when the White ,River tertiary 

 overlaps the plains to the junction. 



These brief remarks are intended principally to show by the geography 

 the gigantic scale upon which everything in this western country is 

 planned ; that even the district drained by the Platte and its branches 

 is larger than all Xew England, New York, and Pennsylvania. 



Myriads of little streams rise in springs on the summits of all the 

 mountain ranges, and, flowing down the sides, gash out deep gorges, which 

 afford most splendid sections of the rocks for the study of the geologist. 

 And as for beautiful scenery, there is no limit to it. If we were to trace 

 these streams to their source in the mountains, through gorges and 

 chasms, into beautiful oval grassy valleys, up the precipitous flanks 

 where they expand in numerous little branches, rushing and tumbling 

 over the rocks, we should involuntarily pronounce each one at the time 

 more grand, more beautiful, and more instructive than any we had ever 

 seen before. It is impossible to describe to the reader the pleasure one 

 enjoys in wandering among these mountain valleys, climbing the almost 

 vertical cliffs and studying the almost unlimited variety of forms which 

 the masses of rock present. Then, too, the vegetation, seen in summer, 

 has the green, fresh appearance that is so inviting and grateful; the 

 grass, flowers, and trees, all wear that healthy look which is only to be met 

 in the mountains. Although the Laramie plains are at too high an eleva- 

 tion ever to become noted for their agricultural resources, yet the few 

 attempts to raise certain crops have met with moderate success. 



In the summer of 1868 a few farmers in the valley of Bock Creek, 

 along the line of the old stage road, succeeded in raising some very good 

 vegetables, as potatoes, turnips, cabbage, &c, and they would have- 

 remained there contented, had they not been driven away by the Indians. 

 But it is doubtful if these plains will ever become a favorite abode for 

 farmers, though for the raising of stock I believe they are unsurpassed. 

 Horses, cattle, and sheep have already been raised here of the finest kind, 

 and in the beautiful sheltered valleys they find the most secure retreats 

 from the severity of the winter's cold. Thousands of tons of excellent 

 hay can be cut every year along the bottoms of any of these streams. 



There is a beautiful view of the plains proper, as seen in the valley 

 of the Little Laramie, near Sheephead Mountain. We see here the 

 meanderings of the little stream: the fringes of cotton woods, willows, 



