FISH-CULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS IN MONTANA AND WYOMING. 
25 
The conditions are as follows : The summit of the pass for a distance of about half a mile is so 
nearly level that a marsh is formed, which in times of high water becomes a small lake. A portion 
of the waters from the surrounding mountains accumulates in the marshy meadows and gradually 
gravitates from either side into two small streams, one of which flows to the northeast, the other to 
the southwest. On the east side of the divide there is a depression or gorge in the mountain, which 
is occupied by a small stream that at the time of our visit flowed in a well-marked channel toward 
the northeast into Atlantic Creek. 
This is the well-known Two-Ocean Creek. At the base of the mountain side (cj, a small stream 
rises from a sink hole or spring, which at the time the writer saw it (October 4) was nearly dry, and 
but little water was running in Two-Ocean Creek (a). This spring hole was not separated from the 
latter creek more than 6 feet, and a small dry channel connecting it with a showed that in times 
of high water a portion of the water that started down the mountain channel («) broke over the side 
into the spring hole (c), and flowed thence through channel c to the Paciflc. Lower down in the Two- 
Ocean channel are two places (shown by dotted lines), where there are two old channels connecting in 
time of high water with channel c, showing that a portion of the waters that started down the mountain 
side for the Atlantic was diverted toward the Pacific. On the opposite side of the pass there is a 
similar depression in the breccia wall, down which, at the time of the melting of the winter’s snows, 
much water flows. 
The points 6 and d are close together, and the waters of the grassy meadows, which lie between 
them, probably separate, a part taking one direction and a part the other. The little lake or marsh 
in the center, of course, furnishes a supply or reservoir for both. (See Dr. Hayden’s map, Fig. 2, PI. ii.) 
In September, 188-1, Two-Ocean Pass was visited by Mr. Arnold Hague, of the 
U. S. Geological Snrvey, but he was prevented by a severe snowstorm from making 
any detailed observations. In Powell’s Sixth Annual Report, p. 56, Mr. Hague says : 
I determined, however, to follow up Pacific Creek and take as direct a course as possible to 
its sources in the meadows described by Dr. Hayden. From the information I had gathered and the 
erroneous character of the maps I was prepared for a difficult bit of travel. I found, to my surprise, 
with the exception of 1 or 2 miles of rough country, that the stream could be followed without any 
serious hinderance to its source in the broad meadows high up in the mountains. From this same 
meadow a small stream, known as Atlantic Creek, flows eastward and empties its waters into the 
Upper Yellowstone. 
Unfortunately, we were caught on the summit in a severe snowstorm, although early in the 
month of September. Snow to the depth of 15 inches covered the ground. This not only caused a 
delay, but prevented us from determining accurately the conditions governing the supply and dis- 
charge of the waters. It is probable that the divide between Atlantic and Pacific creeks is but a few 
inches in height. 
The conditions observed here are not unlike those seen in many places in flat, plateau-like country, 
the difference being that hero they are on a grander scale and more than usually striking and impressive. 
The place is one of great beauty. If the Park limits should be extended to the 44th parallel, Two-Ocean 
Pass a v ill be within the reservation. 
From tbe above it appears that this interesting pass was evidently known to the 
famous guide, Jim Bridger ; that the first account written by one who had seen it is 
that given by Capt. Jones, who visited it during a driving storm September 3, 1873; 
that the next to visit it was Dr. Hayden, in October, 1878, who, like Capt. Jones, 
approached it from the Yellowstone side ; and that it was again visited by Mr. Hague, 
in September, 18S4. Mr. Hague reached the pass from Jackson Lake by way of 
Pacific Creek at a time when tbe pass was covered with snow. Besides those who have 
published accounts of their visits, Two-Ocean Pass has been visited several times by 
our guide, Mr. Elwood Hofer, within the last few years. The route traveled by our 
party was essentially the same as that followed by Mr. Hague. We arrived at the pass 
on Monday morning, August 17, and remained until 10 o’clock the next morning. This 
gave us ample time to make a careful examination of the remarkable conditions which 
