ecduch.] ITINERARY. 13 



prised by a short snow-storm. This was followed by a most violent gale 

 of wind, which lasted nearly all day. The cold air, sweeping down from 

 the neighboring mountains, condensed the suspended moisture of the 

 atmosphere untd this was exhausted or carried farther by the force of 

 the wind. After a disagreeable ride, almost blinded by sand, we found 

 shelter in a narrow canon of Carboniferous limestone. During the entire 

 day it was impossible to set up the instrument. We found the region 

 sufficiently well watered, and had within a day left Tertiary formations 

 for some of the oldest of the region. We found a number of small canons 

 in these limestones, caused probably by seismic action rather than by 

 erosion. While the pack-train descended this creek, upon which we were 

 camped, to its junction with a direct tributary of the Sweetwater, we 

 rode northward. Passing first over massive hills of Carboniferous strata, 

 we soon reached the late Tertiary deposits composing the Sweetwater 

 group. Antelopes were very abundant along our route, occurring in 

 bands of several hundreds. Shortly after noon we reached the river. 

 Its southern bank was swampy, and the river -bottom contained much 

 quicksand. Following it downward, everywhere surrounded by tracks 

 of buffalo, we reached a tributary from the south. This we ascended, 

 and finally found camp. Very little or no timber is to be noticed on this 

 portion of the river, willow-brush, sage, and grass comprising the 

 most prominent part of the vegetation. The fall of its tributaries here 

 is but slight, and then* water, in consequence, is muddy and alkaline. 

 Easy decomposition of the surrounding strata furnishes a never-failing 

 supply of the various salts, and often the solution is little less than a 

 saturated one. 



July 1 dawned frosty and very cold. Even overcoats could not afford 

 sufficient protection against the low temperature and driving wind. 

 After doing some work northeast of camp, we rode on to the Sweetwater, 

 where camp had been made. Driftwood furnished the material for fire, 

 and proved to be a pleasant variation from sage. On the north side of 

 the river we found the old emigrant-road, which thirty-five years ago 

 was a favorite route for overland travel. We had then fairly entered 

 the region which in 1842 was traversed by Fremont's small party. Fol- 

 lowing this road up stream we met with many indications of travel done 

 during an " early day." Saint Mary's Station, a well-known landmark on 

 tbe river, is situated about eight miles above our camp of July 1. Noth- 

 ing but ruined walls remain to indicate the spot which at one time was 

 the scene of active life. Indians and the railroad have produced isola- 

 tion of this region, which once bid fair to have a prosperous future. A 

 few miles above Saint Mary's, the road leaves the river, winding up- 

 ward among steep, rocky bluffs. Looking down toward the river we 

 there found it enclosed by steep canon- walls. Eising at a very high 

 angle from the bed of the Sweetwater, metamorphic, and in part sedi- 

 mentary, rocks form an impassable canon. The walls are about 600 feet 

 high. Scattering spruce trees and small groves of quaking asp find suffi- 

 cient soil there to thrive in crevices and on the small talus near the base. 

 In the bottom of the canon the river rushes along over numerous bowl- 

 ders that have fallen from above, forming a succession of foaming rapids. 

 Above the entrance of this narrow chasm it once more runs smoothly, 

 almost lazily, through its channel fringed with willow brush. Isolated 

 cottonwood trees and some quaking asps impart a very pleasing aspect 

 to the valley, as seen from above. 



Following the wagon-road, we found ourselves again within the meta- 

 morphic area, crossing a number of small creeks which flowed into the 

 Sweetwater. Numerous antelopes and large flocks of sage-hens (Ccntro- 



