New-York tribune., 1873-07-30
WESTERN EXPLORATIONS.
PROF. HAYDENS EXPEDITION.

"A PANORAMA OF TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND
SQUARE NILES
IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE ThBUNE'I
CAMP NEAR FAIRPLAY, COL Terp July II
The region In which the survey, OF which Dr. Hayden
aud Mr. Gardner the joint heads is now AT WORK.
does not offer such profusion OF wonders as the fei-
lowstonc Park much OF the work was done last
ycart and It lies close to the borders of CIVILIZATION,
apdf If SO penetrated With roads and trails aud Oote0
with ranChos mines, and mining villages that 1t is
not the monopoly OF the explorer Yet 1t IS in its way
also fu Of wonders aud its Importance as bearing upon
tie geological history OF North America IL
not easy to be Those who have crossed
the continent by the Union Pacific Railroad hundred
miles and more north Of here almost feel as IL the
Rocky Mountains, which they were taught TO
name with reverence in their childhood a hum
bug and the California Sierra Nevada the true back
bone OF the country But here In Central and Southern
Colorado the old chain asserts itself OF eeva-
OnS having few rivals in the world To map this region
and explain its formation viii be service of the highest
order TO geology and to geography. The survey tins
year. Is shown by its title Acknowledges the close
connection and nterdependence OF these two branches
OF science THAT cannot thoroughly understand ana
teach the geological character region without aecu
rate maps. which to lay down its formations Is .oo
obvious TO escape any ones notice; but 1t Is equally
true that geography needs tho aid OF geoogyi thaV 'o
who goes merely the surface not HOOK
ing for the causes which have produced the features ne
ia portraving Will be likely comprehend insuincienty
end represent imperfeety the ground with wmeh nc Is
dealing Tho of the geoogst tbere Is In MN, the
more intelligent and accurate will De his work There
Is besides great practical advantage, as regards econ
ov Of labor and cost joining the two kindred modes
o exploration On every account then, Congress mas
done wisely n making the combination.
CHIEFS or THE EXPEDITION
The heads OF the survey very well known 70 the
American public they to men of science through
ont the world DE- F. " Haydeu's name nay be said to
be identified with the geological exploration OF the Tar
West For 20 years since young man he first came
out as surgeon TO Indian agencies, and began his work
as an observer and collector mot merely IN every branch
nj natural history but also Indian languages to our
Inowlod-, Of which his contributions have been among
the most important made by any individually he has
given himself with rare energy and enthusiasm, and
with uunqggnC devotion, TO the development OF the
Rocky Mountain region and its dependencies NO one
man. perhaps has done much and led 10 the DONG OF
so much by others. Such devotion has not failed
of It's reward, in recognition and public aid; and
he has seen his resources grow steadily, from
the sranty means OF private and almost unnOtieed ex
porer 10 the organization OF national survey
with many parties carrying on its various departments
with the best specialists OF the day its auXliaries
and with the eyes OF the world watching its results
Mr. JT Gardner is this year. for the first time Joined
with him Mr. Gardner is younger man, but also
already most honoraby known for the successful execu
zion of work ike that in which he is engaged He
began his scientific career IN the California survey under
Prof j. ID. Whitney, ana was later partner WIN MT
Clarence King in tho survey Of the 2Oth parale-two
pieces of combined geological and geographical work
which have never been exceeded in quality in this
country.
DIVISIONS AND WORK OF EXPEDITION
The task the survey for 1878 proposed in the
application Congress for the years appropriation
ana ratified by Congressional action. 1t is namely, the
exploration OF the eastern half of mountainous Colo
rado including the rich mining districts and the Won
derul parks and elevated ranges For the work in de-
TAIL the region has been divided into three sections each
Of which is placed in charge of party, composed OF
gesoss and opoGrapher The chiefs Of these parties
are Messrs. Wilson, Maryine and Gannett, and they
have been IN the field since May Then there three
other parties having less defined and restricted range
the Photographic under Mr. Jackson. to which are at
tached the general collectors and investiga-
tors in the various departments OF natural his
tory; and tie special parties Of the two chiefs-Dr
Hayden's undertaking. the review of the geological
searches and the examination OF points OF particular
interest ana difficulty; and Mr. Gardners having in
charge the primary trangulaton Of the whole region,
and the direction OF the detailed typographical work
Al the present these three general points are in
conjunction the point Of penetrating together into
tho nearly unexpored regions west Of the South Park
where the highest of the mountain ranges are probably
10 he found One two outsiders, your correspondent
among theG allowed to join the united corps on tLs
expedition.
The combined parties Of the TWO chiefs DR.. Hayden
and Mr. Gardner, left Denver together some ten days
ago. striking southwark the great plain. descend
ing into the beautiful irrigated valley of Bear Creek,
richly green with fields of grain and entering the noun
tao region by the gorge or canon through which that
stream breaks out between the Hog backs" This last
is the accepted name, telling than elegant for the
broken line Of ups lying at the base OF the mountains
IT would be tedious TO tell Of the valleys threaded
the streams assembled the passes crossed before We
reached the corner OF the great South Park 1t no
ar ,,eosure 10 soc how the available lands among the
hghts are becoming occupied by settlers; ran
cbes being scattered along the banks OF
tbe larger streams, whereon patches OF deeper
green show at distance the presence OF brook.
There Is mail road from Denver to Fairplay, ana the
distance 90 miles, is run every day by stage in about
o. hours We kept for the most part the road with our
train Of about 20 animals saddehorses and pack-mues'
camping in the afternoon where wood and water was to
he easily had 1t now the rainy In this region
or one may say the make-belieye rainy season Every
day the clouds gather, the thunders roll and you see
lines of shower following the ranges Of nights or spread
ing themselves over the valleys, but II, may happen
once day. they you they are but smart patter
Cor minute lust moistening the surface and making
you II uuproyided with rubber wrap, uncomfortably
little wet good honest puddle have not see yet and
In all these ten days much water has come downas
often deluges In five minutes III an Eastern thunder
storm. ......-.-...
NATURAL BEAUTY AND MINERAL WEALTH OF THE SOUTH
At twenty-five or thirty mites from Fairplay we came
upon the South Park It's northeastern corner and Inc
sudden sight OF 1t like magic broad Dit OF the
great plains outside, seemed transpaDted 10 Witmn
the mountains and fenced in with hills, green ana WOOD
ed or rough and bare rising into snowsreaked sum-
,it mart Of the prineval even surface had escaped
the tremendous thrOes by which the immense mountain
region uphesyed and seslsed ana sesrIeu 1neI 70
ones ideal OF park than this One hnds on going InI
Their thai though low and broad and level by conpar
ayCifh n