271 
Gray Canyon 
and, laying them in regular order near together, formed a sort 
of mattress which was very comfortable. If these were not to 
be had, the softest spot of sand was the next choice. In putting 
the river suit on in the morning, there was often something of 
a shock, for it was not always thoroughly dry. At length the 
welcome end of Desolation came, indicated by a lowering of 
Gunnison Butte. 
Head of Gunnison Valley and foot of Gray Canyon. 
Powell Expedition of 1871 repairing boats. 
Photograph by E. O. Beaman, U. S. Colo. Riv. Exp. 
the walls and a break, where we were surprised to see a solitary 
lame horse, but the next canyon. Gray, formed immediately. 
This was at first called Lignite Canyon, but was afterwards re¬ 
named on account of the grey colour of the walls; an unusual 
feature. The work here was similar to that in Desolation, and 
we were not sorry when we came to the foot of it, there going 
into camp to await the return of Powell. One of our flags was 
planted at the end of an island below the canyon mouth, so 
