The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-09-04
WONDERLAND.
A Chapter of Events for a Sabbath
Perusal
Pleasant Incidents Connected with
FordiDg a River.
Landing a Scientist.
CHAPTER II.

hours, our Guide" returned and il
formed US that he had discovered
pass by which we could reach Snak
River Basin. The following morn
ing we commenced the ascent of thi
water shed. In zig-zag course w
clambered up the mountain; on
| horses would mire in some place:
| and in others, they would take thei
chances of breaking through tn
snow, which formed natural bridge
over the small streams whicl
rushed down the mountain side
losing themselves beneath snow
drifts, or madly flashing themselve!
into foam, as they swept through
deep, narrow gOrges in the rock.
Riding up gentle slope, we came
to a point where, within a few feet
of each other, two streams have
their sources, the waters ICf one
going to the Pacific through the
Snake and Columbia rivers, while
those of the other go to the Gulf of
Mexico and Atlantic through the
Big Horn, Y elloWstone and Missouri.
Striking a game trail, we made a
rapid descent to a beautiful lake,
surrounded by timbered hills and
grassy slopes. In the afternoon, we
came to Black Rock Creek, up which
we rode until the forks were
reached, when we crossed at an ideal
ford. Climbing up the steep bank,
we found ourselves upon a narrow
plateau which extended to the
northwest. Upon this fiat, we held
distance interviews with FIVE bears
within two hours. Changing our
course to the northeast, we came in
sight of Jackson's Hole at an early
hour the next day. This "hole," as
it is called, is a beautiful, level
valley, bordered on the east by allow
range Of mountains, through which
Buffalo Fork finds its way to Snake
River. On the west, are the Tetons,
the Alps Of America, grand SEN
tinels Of this entire region. Here
we struck Capt. Jones' trail of '73.
We found this trail so DISTRACTED
with fallen timber and land-slides
that we were obliged to abandon it.
In the afternoon we came to Buff
falo Fork, at a point where the
stream widens out, oVerfOws its
banks and forms an extensive
slough. Hoping to find a place less
playful, we continued up the stream.
At sunset we came to a miniature
Grand Canyon, with perpendicular
walls from forty to sixty feet high.
We retraced our steps, and climbed
to the verge of the canyon, with
the hope of descending into a val
ley beyond the gorge. We were dis
to find that the CANYON
increased in depth, and the raYines
above were so filled with fallen tim
Der as to make them impossible
barriers. To keep our proper course
we must cross the stream at the
point where we first struck it. Start
ing early in the morning,we worked
our way over rocks and fallen
timber back to this point.
The stream here is divided by a.
rocky bar some twenty feet from
the bank, upon which we held our
and sixty feet from the
opposite bank; without any diff
Guilty we crossed to the island.
This reached, we took Il careful
survey of the stream and its oppOi
site bank. The previous day we
StOpp ID some moments at this place
% admire the rapids opposite the up
per end of the island. Each listen
I'd to and spoke of the muffled
thunder caused by the bOulders
)eing carried down the stream re-
marks were made concerning Wild |
hess OF the scene. Now, when OBJ
iged to cross just above those
'apids, where the stream is sixty feet
vide, not one in the party could |
discover any music in the roaring
# the waters or the tumbling of
he rocks.
By fastening ropes and halter |
traps together, a line was made
which we considered long enough |
o reach the opposite bank. The
Cook" taking one end of this line,
ode up the stream from theIpoint of
he island, and after a struggle
,etWeen horse and waters, reached
he opposite bank. The Guide"
anne next. His little horse fought
'raYely, but in spite of his almost
Luman efforts, was taken into the
apids, from which he forced his
way up the bank, bringing his rider
afely out upon the landing place.
,he"Scientist" remained to engineer
he pack horses UP the stream as far
S possible, that they might miss the
apids. The pack horses came over
n safety, with their burdens in
reased in weight. Little White"
isappeared in the stream, but the
Guide" and "CoOk" pulled him for
he shore, which he reached after a
God ducking.
The line was put back to the
land, and the Scientist" started
cross. His horse became nervous.
urned his side to the current, and |
9th were lost to view in the rapids.
he two on the bank threw all their
Weight upon the Inns, and the next
Instant our friend was landed out
loon the rocks, and the horse strug-
led to a place Of safety. We
amped some distance up the
tream, and as the sun went down
'ehlnd the sublime Tetons, we were
afely lounglng behind a barricade
n