The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-11-26
Up Among the Mountain Tops.

The Rocky Mountain Ne1os says: Mr..
| 4. ID. Wilson, of the geological survey,
| speaking of the San Juan country, which
was explored by him and his assistants this
season, says that they had very success
! ful and interesting, but, at the same time,
extremely severe summers work, owing
TO the very elevated position Ofmost OF the
region. They explored about 6,0OO square
miles, the main features of their eXami-
nation being the topography, geology
mineralogy, climate, soil, drainage, and
other matters of interest coming under
their notice from time to time, as they pro-
gressed in their specific Investigations.
One of these was the strange, and, some
times, painfully perceptible phenomenon,
electricity, which never failed to manifest
| itself whenever the observers attempt
ed to work on the higher peaks. Indeed,
several times they were driven from the
higher barometrical stations by it; and
Mr.. Wilson says that rocks, perforated
with its currents, are frequently found
scattered over the SUBMITS of the peaks,
leaving evidences of their work in CLASSY
streaks over and through the rocks. An
other feature was the great height and per
pendiculality of the walls of the canyons,
which enabled the mineralogist and geolo-
gist to investigate them to depth OF thou
sands of feet.
The district explored by this division
embraced the head waters of the Rio
Grande, Animas, San Migsel, Rio Dolores,
Los Pinos, Florida, and many smaller
streams. which have their origin in this
great central mass OF lofty mountains.
Mr.. Wilson regards the district in question
as the highest portion of country en-
braced within the limits of Colorado, as is
shown by the fact that his party was not
below the altitude of 5000 feet for three
months, while many times they camped
far above timber line. a large number OF
the peaks. when measured, will show an
altitude of from a, 900 TO $1,000 feet. They
ascended about sixty points within this to-
biographical district, thirty of which Will
probably show height Of from II 100 to
l4.OO0 feet. These estimates are given
only from barometrical readings made in
the field.
The general appearance of the country
is that of extreme ruggedness, which
arises from the bluff-like walls OF the can
yons, some of which tower up almost YER
tically to the dizzy height of 1000 feet. In
many places these walls are composed OF
highly colored trachytic strata, which,
when combined with the deep green OF
the forest trees, presents a most beautl1ul
scene.
The San Juan mining district lies in the
midst of this high mass of mountains, and
there are now but two routes OF cOmmp-
nicatiOn with the railroad at Pueblo or
CANYON CITY. One of these is the south
ern route, which passes from Howards-
vile up Cunningham Gulch, crossing the
divide and following down the Rio Grande
to Del NOrte. Seventy or eighty miles OF
this route is a fine wagon road, though
many of the supplies taken over this route
at present are transported on burros. Inc
pass through which this road crosses Is
about u, 900 feet above sea level, and Will
often be obsuucted in winter by snow.
The country surrounding the high noun
tains on the south is quite low, being about
5000 feet along the river bottoms ana,
being sheltered, is quite warm, the growth
of vegetation being very rich, and indlcat-
ing a fine agricultural district. But much
of this fine land is on the Indian reserVa-
ton. thus preventing its useful occupation
at present.
There is a trail leading from Bakers
Park to the northwest, near the sources OF
the San Miguel. This, however, is dlfll-
cult pass, and only practicable for lightly
loaded animals. The altitude is about
$500 feet. San Miguel Lake is located
near this pass, and is about $500 feet high,
and surrounded by many lofty peaks, with
bold, PERCEPTIONS walls, rising in some III
stances TO 4, Goo and 5000 feet; while im-
mediately around the lake the forests and
meadows are brought together, forming
beautiful landscape.
Following down the San Miguel the
country gradually Op ms out into rich,
producing region. In this district
typographical stations were eff
fected. The heights of all camps, valleys, |
passes, and many other points were taken,
barometrically; also, all points not visited,
but which could be seen, were triangu-
lated. Many valuable panoramic sketches
of a typographical and geological charae-
ter were made, which will be important TO
the geologist and geOgrapher in working
up their field notes for the report of 1874. |
AS this region has lately excited consider
able interest, we look forward with ankle
ty for accurate reports touching its re-
sources, both for scientific and economic