12 EXPLORATION OF THE CANONS OF THE COLORADO. 
is a delicate task to do this without breaking the glass; but we have success, 
and are ready to measure mountains once more. 
May 28. To-day we go to the summit of the cliff on the left and take 
observations for altitude, and are variously employed in topographic and 
geological work. 
May 29. This morning, Bradley and I cross the river, and climb more 
than a thousand feet to a point where we can see the stream sweeping in a 
long, beautiful curve through the gorge below. Turning and looking to the 
west, we can see the valley of Henry's Fork, through which, for many miles, 
the little river flows in a tortuous channel. Cottonwood groves are planted 
here and there along its course, and between them are stretches of grass land. 
The narrow mountain valley is inclosed on either side by sloping walls of 
naked rock of many bright colors. To the south of the valley are the 
Uintas, and the peaks of the Wasatch Mountains can be faintly seen in the 
far west. To the north, desert plains, dotted here and there with curiously 
carved hills and buttes, extend to the limit of vision. 
For many years, this valley has been the home of a number of mount 
aineers, who were originally hunters and trappers, living with the Indians. 
Most of them have one or more Indian wives. They no longer roam with 
the nomadic tribes in pursuit of buckskin or beaver, but have accumulated 
herds of cattle and horses, and consider themselves quite well-to-do. Some 
of them have built cabins; others still live in lodges. 
John Baker is one of the most famous of these men ; and, from our point 
of view, we can see his lodge three or four miles up the river. 
The distance from Green River City to Flaming Gorge is sixty -two 
miles. The river runs between bluffs, in some places standing so close to 
each other that no flood-plain is seen. At such a point, the river might pro 
perly be said to run through a canon. The bad-lands on either side are inter 
rupted here and there by patches of Artemesia, or sage-brush. Where there 
is a flood -plain along either side of the river, a few cottonwoods may be seen. 
