14 
Rocky Mountain Trip 
highest point. The min central, portion of the Summit district 
Is a peculiar and remarkable region. The drainage is very im- 
perfect and as a consequence the central valleys are great bogs - 
very high and cold and uninviting although from a distance they 
seem a lard of meadows * as the whole surface is covered with rich 
grass and shrubbery and the dryer slopes are fragrant with spring 
flowers* Pine forests occupy a large part of the higher slopes. 
The mining region appears to be near the center of the district 
and a group of high volcanic buttes seem to contain most of the 
ore - gold and silver. Already seven or eight stamp mills are 
at work and the general look is one of prosperity. Some of the 
slides are rich in color> the country is beautiful to .look upon. 
The drainage is in the Bel Sorts on the north and cast and to the 
San Juan in the south and west. Blaine peak is on the divide. 
The rocks are all iraekytic* Returned to camp in good time. Re¬ 
packed and made a march of some five or six miles* re camping again 
within a. few miles of Summit md near the head waters of a branch 
of the South Fork of the Rio Grande. 
Sept, 2nd ; Descended the branch of South Fork* 9 passed 
down a narrow high walled valley. There were sweet pine forests 
and grassy parks, Shortly we struck an old Indian trail which fol¬ 
lowed the valley for a few miles and then at an elbow in the stream 
the trail turned over to the east and followed down another south 
branch of the South Fork. Passed through many beautiful parks and 
saw much game sign. Reached the South Fork at about 5 o 1 clock and 
were in camp 3 miles above the junction with the main stream* in 
good time. 
