In the summer of 1867, with a small party of naturalists, students, and 
amateurs like myself, I visited the mountain region of Colorado Territory. 
While in Middle Park, I explored a little canon, through which the Grand 
River runs, immediately below the well-known watering-place, "Middle 
Park Hot Springs." Later in the fall I passed through Cedar Canon, the 
V 
gorge by which the Grand leaves the park. The result of the summer's 
study was to kindle a desire to explore the canons of the Grand, Green, and 
Colorado Rivers, and the next summer I organized an expedition with the 
intention of penetrating still farther into that canon country. 
As soon as the snows were melted, so that the main range could be 
crossed, I went over into Middle Park, and proceeded thence down the 
Grand to the head of Cedar Canon, then across the Park range by Gore's 
Pass, and in October found myself and party encamped on the White River, 
about a hundred and twenty miles above its mouth. At that point I built 
cabins, and established winter quarters, intending to oc.cupy the cold season, 
as far as possible, in exploring the adjacent country. The winter of 
1868-'69 proved favorable to my purposes, and several excursions were 
made, southward to the Grand, down the White to the Green River, north 
ward to the Yampa, and around the Uinta Mountains. 
During these several excursions, I seized every opportunity to study 
the canons through which these upper streams run, and, while thus engaged, 
formed plans for the exploration of the canons of the Colorado. Since that 
time I have been engaged in executing these plans, sometimes employed in 
the field,, sometimes in the office. Begun originally as an exploration, the 
work has finally developed into a survey embracing the geography, geology, 
ethnography, and natural history of the country, and a number of gentle 
men have, from time to time, assisted me in the work. 
II COL 
