26 REPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



as to be unfit for eating purposes, and even his tongue required six 

 hours' boiling without becoming palatable. During the afternoon we 

 made a station on one of the small bluffs west of the stream. Antelope 

 were very numerous, but shy. 



On August 6 we regained the wagon-road and continued our march 

 toward the Sweetwater. During the day we rode over the famous South 

 Pass. As both Fremont and Dr. Hayden remark in their respective re- 

 ports, it is a matter of some difficulty to determine accurately where the 

 continental divide really is located. The ascent from either side is so 

 gentle that it can scarcely be noticed. This pass certainly presents a 

 more gentle slope than any other one crossing the "backbone of the con- 

 tinent." On the way we met large herds of cattle which were grazing 

 in the valleys. Throughout the entire region there is good feed for cat- 

 tle, and it is utilized by various cattle-owners. In some of the meadows 

 hay is cut, which easily finds a market. After a ride of nearly 20 miles 

 we once more reached the Sweetwater, where we encamped. Here the 

 river was much larger than where we last had seen it, in the mountains. 

 Attempts at isolated settlements had been made there a number of years 

 ago, but with the decline of the mines they were abandoned. 



Leaving the Sweetwater on the next morning we continued our march 

 eastward, passing over some very pretty country. In the afternoon we 

 camped at a small spring near some haymakers. 



On August 8 we rode into Camp Stambaugh for the last time. While 

 passing through South Pass and Atlantic cities I examined the mines 

 there. As has been stated above, but few of them are worked at pres- 

 ent. The owners and settlers generally are hopeful, however, and addi- 

 tional development of the agricultural resources of the region may give 

 a new impulse to the mining interests. 



Arriving at Stambaugh we found our old friends well, and a large 

 quantity of mail awaiting us. While camp remained stationary there 

 during the next day the examination of mines of the neighborhood was 

 conqneted. Accompanied by Lieutenant Cole, the ride from place to 

 place was rendered very agreeable. Before leaving the post we shipped 

 our trophies of the chase and specimens, took a new stock of provisions, 

 and, thanks to the courtesy of the quartermaster, had some of our mules 

 reshod. Having completed all our arrangements, we looked forward to 

 our final departure from the post that had become so pleasantly familiar 

 to us. All the western portion of our district was finished and but seven 

 weeks of the season remained to complete the rest. 



CAMP STAMBAUGH TO ROCK INDEPENDENCE. 



Bidding the officers of Camp Stambaugh a final adieu on the morning 

 of August 10, we departed, carrying with us grateful recollections of 

 their kindness and attention. Following the road which leads to Miner's 

 Delight, we soon began to descend on to the Wind Eiver drainage. 

 Leaving the road near the beginning of the old sedimentary beds, we 

 rode off to the southeast. A last view was here obtained of Bed Caiion 

 and its picturesque surroundings. Examining the strata as we passed 

 over them, we gradually descended toward Twin Creek Canon. Near 

 its upper end we encamped at the base of a high, deeply corrugated 

 sandstone rock. Upon its top we found the remnants of an old Indian 

 "lookout." The view from that point commands several important 

 passes, and it was, therefore, well chosen. Biding down the canon, we 

 reached Sheep Mountain on the day following. One feature strongly re- 

 minded us of the fact that we had descended considerably since leaving 



