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f- 
comes 200 or 250 feet of sandstones embedded with sha.les above 
and below, then 600 or 800 feet of shale, and the coal series, 
and the upper escarpment of about 150 feet of comparatively 
solid sandstone. Along the north face of the Mesa this upper 
escarpment stands well back (See sketch from Ute Peak). Three 
miles down the McElrno, No 1 cretaceous is exposed in the creek 
bed just below the cottonwoods. Twenty-six miles from Mancos 
ranch the varj^ated shales are first seen. No. 1 does not seem 
to be more than 200 feet thick. It is of soft, yellowish sand¬ 
stone . 
At camp, the canyon of the McElmo is about 400 ft. deep, 
and the sandstones benee^th the variegated beds begin to make 
their appearance. Camp at Naio Guinneps, July 29th. 
Jackson and Aldrich did not come; the mail is probably 
late. Chittenden and Brandag^e go across the canyon to make 
a topographical station. I rode out on a skirmish. Passed 
up to the immediate base of Ute peak and then back toward 
Mesa Verde. Came upon a group of ruins within a mile of camp 
at the base of a shallow side canyon of McElmo creek. The 
main ruin is a great treble-walled tower that stands amidst 
a cluster of irregular apartments some 60 or 80 in number, 
and is certainly of great interest (See drawing, plan, and 
measurements in large drawing book). There is also on the 
