exdlich.] SWEETWATER DISTRICT VEGETATION. 59 



Trails. 



Comparatively few trails are found within our district. Perhaps the 

 most important for extensive travel is that known as the " TJte trail." 

 Passing - the railroad near Washakie Station, it follows a direction west 

 of north. Leading through the low, dry country, it strikes the group of 

 lakes of which Trail Lake is the largest. From there it continues its 

 course, although much obliterated, to Cainp Brown. As the wagon-roads 

 frequently follow the same route formerly taken by the trail only, it now 

 appears at several places as " cut-offs." It is used a good deal by the 

 Indians, who pass over it while making their visits to each other. With- 

 in the low country we rind a few short trails leading up canons or cross- 

 ing some of the ridges. Although of some assistance in riding through 

 the region, they are of no further importance. Along the northern slope 

 of the Sweetwater Hills there are some isolated hunting-trails. The 

 wagon roads of that vicinity are so old, that they have been utilized to 

 the utter neglect and consequent obliteration of the trails that may have 

 existed there. A good trail is found following down Beaver Creek. It 

 appears to be a branch of that leading from Washakie to Camp Brown. 

 Several ramifications pass through the canons of the Sheep Mountain 

 region. Important to the Indians, although rarely used by white men, 

 is the trail crossing the Wind River Bange. Coming from the west it 

 reaches the mountains near the exit of Muddy Creek. Following along 

 a canon to the northwest of this stream it finally reaches timber-line, at 

 the base of a peak which we have named Temple Peak Again descend- 

 ing, it crosses the Muddy. Winding along the rugged hills it once more 

 emerges from the timber and crosses the continental divide at an eleva- 

 tion of about 11,000 feet above sea-level. From there it descends rapidly 

 and leads to the agency near Camp Brown. This pass is known by the 

 name of " Shoshone Trail Pass." So far as our observations extend, it 

 is the most southerly practicable pass across the continental divide for 

 the distance that this is formed by the Wind River Range. 



VEGETATION. 



With the topography of our district varies its vegetation. It is not 

 my intention to present a synopsis of all the plants occurring in the re- 

 gions we have traversed, but merely to indicate the most prominent 

 forms there exhibited by the flora. For comprehensive information 

 upon this subject I refer the reader to Fremont's Report, 1845, and to 

 the Report of Dr. Hayden, 1870. 



In the Wind River Range, at the highest point reached by timber we 

 find the characteristic pine which grows at this elevation. Within the 

 mountains spruce trees (Abies menzinii) and firs (Abies subalpina) com- 

 pose the main portion of the timber. As we descend, we meet with the 

 yellow pine (Pinus ponder osa), which forms very pretty groves. At the 

 same elevation we find quaking asp (Populus tremulo'ides). On some of 

 the ridges, and along canons that contain a good deal of moisture, these 

 trees reach a very considerable height. Their light-green foliage and the 

 white trunks present a very pretty appearance. On the lower, outlying 

 bluffs Pinus contorta occurs frequently. As we descend from the foot- 

 hills the character of the vegetation changes. The creeks are densely 

 fringed with willow-brush (Salix nigra), which, together with quaking 

 asp, furnishes desirable food for beavers. Reaching the bluff country 

 we find sage-brush (Artemisia tridentata) very prevalent. Its appear- 

 ance usually indicates a dry, sandy region. On some of the bluffs of the 



