The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-30
TIE BIG HORN MOUNTAINS.
a PRoSPECTING TOUR FROM GEN
CROOKS COMMIND.

Horn Rtver-An Abundance Oi '''".' "'
Very slight Indications of Paying "oi"'
CAMP CLOUD PEAK, WY. T.. July 5.-on
The lst inst, Gen. Crook, accompahl'u Nv "'a
AIDES de can't. Lieuts. Bourko ana scnNie',N"'
Rox III. and Adjutant Lieut.. Lemly, Caps MINIS
and Burt and Lieut.. Carpenter uecentY upon
Nortb.rn boundary Survey and entomoloeist TO
H.vden's and wheelsrs expeditions respective
,x, and. by invitation, the correspondents OF THE
aur md other Journals mounted upon mules,
act out over the mountains. The snakes OF
Bhoshones had been induced to return In this
airection to the Wind river, with view on our
o.rt. of subsequently awaiting ourselves OF their
trails which we now followed.
Upon attaining the crest OF the main ridge OF
foot hills magnificent panorama was upfolded
10 our delighted gaze The Tongue aud Powder
uysrs with their numerous tributaries were ex-
slbitsd In all their ramincations, while more
blatant the blue outline OF the Black Hills was
MAINLY visible. Immediately below lay our
samp, it's white tents dotting the ground like
the outcropping OF limestone ledge, and our
sorses grazing upon adjacent knobs, looked not
unlike ants upon their hills. Beyond us the
snowy ranges eiistsned In the sunlight aud
limited our vision, while upon tue ieft rose
Cloud Peak In stately grandeur, a connected
ssriss Of eranitlc and lori basaltic cones rugged
.pparentIy inaccessible, and not less than 1900
VS. very steep. our trail was not dificut, and
asapdered through beautiful pine groves and
ovsly little valleys. literally covered with
sowsrs, whose delicious perfume made redolent
The ar. Plats of excellent grass and ripplins
trout brooks were frequently encountered and
Mel trayeilins about hi.sen m n, Ton, we
nyer. here a swift running stream about four
lesn inches in depth and half as many yards In
Bidth. containing no nsh.
Numerous signs Of large game had been OBJ
psrved and several Of us immediately started In
porsuit while the remainder made hres ana got
teady our scant replst. The pines had been
badly barked bv bears In search Of their resin
sue sap, out no I" bruins" were seen. and but
ungls blacktailed deer repaid our hunting exer-
aons. Bees were discovered IN our vicinity, but
30 money. The mosquitoes were almost unen-
turabie their numbers being o tless increa sed
By the presence In our neghborhood 81 numer-
sus lakes and lagoons. some perennial but most
Of them consisting exclusively of melted snow
satsr. The only means, indeed. by which we
until the cool night air OF the mountains drove
pberp to shelter WINS by sitting In the smoke OF
sr camp fres about which we Low gathered.
GEN. CROOK As COOK.
INV was always the most charming hour OF
HE day. Numerous stories Of adventure and
romance were told over our cups OF hot, black
police our greatly diminished quantity OF fire.
waier being retained exclusively for night caps !:
and. tired and hungry. everyone seemed TO eA-
nicely broied venison was, however, a very
grateful addition aud the best and most eKpe-
hitious process for It's preparation was shown US
ny Gen. Crook, who Is IN adept In this and all
ptbsr frontier arts. He l., indeed, a thorough
mouDtaineer, as our experience has enabled US
lbundantly to testify; and to those who know
him. most kind and anable gentleman. Don't
90 Al this rs though you were at a clam bake,
stick aud removing the rk. and sharpening
both ends. he stuck thereon alternately cross
besux surmounted by large piece Of the latter.
Doe end was inserted in the earth. before the
position by a notch. When done, he thrust the
Saiek into the ground In front Of bin, saying,
THE bacon both salts and havors the venson,
tbs stick your plate, and the fresh, green grass
Furnishes seat napkin ana sgresd comeDed
1arty made an impromptu Dutch sugar cake. 10y
eoeking a cracker In water. shrinking moisten-
q sasar upon u, aud onAins over i've Goals
As We were without tents, we wrapped our
ssiyes in blankets and slept under the friendly
shsateT Of FIR trees. Betines IN tho morning We
WIN stirring, and alter hasty break last, re-
sumsd our march for the summit In little
while the Indian trail, which here diverged from
rs direct course, and led up the canon OF Tongue
xvu. became almost impass ible. Evsrywhere
the ground was moist from the innumerable lit
Ne trick ling rivulets proceeding from the melt
hR snow above, and having their confluence
Wth THIS stream. Not unfrequently thoy were
pnbterranean. and our route lay through contin-
sous bog. The ascent became very DIM cult and
Tsrs a necessity. Added TO this, we passed
$brough burnt districts where the devourini
panss Tor miles, aud ieyelled them with the
krouDd Ia almost inextncabe confusion IL wai
hs sIception, indeed, when our mules DID moi
bonssq uentiy greatly impeded. Cascades innu.
nersble boiled and seethed about us. the rOaI
t5sr waters. In such confined space deAfen
ing the ear TO any other sound
Where FIRE had not interfered the canon wa,
we'll wooded with pine, nr, and cottonwood
md many beautiful groves ana romantic spoti
were trayersed. LIS walls were amos, per
where the scenery was most picturesque anc
Beautiful; Almost half way up, nne ledge 9
Ind specimens obttned for subsequent assay
AaDerous gravel beds. sometimes mixed witt
snsountered. Emerging from the forest tn,
sess became visible and our trail lee
ksssn crust when crossed by the Indians. bu
whtoh, when attempted by us, broke, and ou
Suses, linking TO their bellies, were only OK
PERPETUAL SNOW.
ne ascent upon the side slope was difioul
- somewhat dangerous; but when accom-
We were above timber line. which here is at al
pasvsiion OF nearly twelve thousand feet, anC
b.. region Of perpetual sa,,s snow' On i've
ssriSed, of greater Dimensions. but rend sret
- braced the Wind river and Heart mou inns
~ miles distant, and snow-capled like thai
basin containing tho BR Horn river, who's,
ssters were plainly yislole The undulatlns
ssnssdinsly picturssqus aspect About US
tboye and below were bald peaks, Immense
hreAs covered with large bouiders almost eI
huSiyely Of granite and banks OF snow. TO tbs
bortt, Tongue nvsr.forced Its way through
Eorge Of limestone, many hundred feet thick
Below US, but on the very backbone Of tn,
range, la, a large and deep lake, covered with
ksa, reservoir 10 both slopes its waters, IL
saR- gag streaks Of foam, rushing along the bot
tou1s OF immense canOns radidtiug from com
mon centre, east and west. On the latter aid,
these constitute the head waters OF Norwood
nfsek, "A tributary Of the Big Horn river, In to,
vicinity Of which gold has been supposed to ex
kt Ia large quantities.
Abandoning the Indian trail which led acros
the lake, now impossible TO US, we pursued GU
way down the most sou nefly gorge, dlstanc,
q about five miles, Gen. Crook and Lieut.
Schuyler meanwhile going in pursuit Of a hocl
81 mountain sheep, which had been seen grazni
upon nelghDTing point. Our descent was mos
oincult and almost impfacticHtls; and jus
hsre must acknowledge and 10 Justice u ina
much abused and yituperlZed animal the mule
Mounted upon horses, our J urney would hAy
been W II nigh impossible bat with the sur
and cautious tire I'd Of their long-earrd cousins
D. was accomplished In safety. We had not becl
long 10 camp before Gen. Crook aud his sde-de
camp Joined US, having each XIII 81 "a very IN
spectmen OF mountain sheep. Both were hucks
and their horns very large. From tho numoe
Of these animals In this vicinity, the region
mountain range and river derive their cOmmO
nAme-"Bg Horn" A popular belief anon
hoptiersmtn Is, that these sheep leap dow
through great distances, alightng upon the
horns, which break the force OF the concussiOL