Mohave County miner., 1890-03-08
D0wN THE GRAsD CANYON.
The EsSinecSing Fasty Reach
Dismond Croek-A Talk with
Chief EnSinees 6ssnlsn.

The exploring party under Chief En-
gineer Robert B. Stanton reached Dia-
mond Creek Canyon, twenty miles north
Of Peach Springs, on the Int inst. The
party Is surveying route down the Colo
radio River for the Denver, Colorado Il
Pacific Railway Go. The writer spent An
evening with Mr.. Stanton, who related
nony incidents Of the perilous trip Of the
party.
They left Denver on the 26th Of No
vember last, and by land and water
reached the point in Marble Canyon
where the expedition Of las. summer lost
their leader and three members Of the
party.
Tho boats In which the party made
their trip are OF oak strips, copper rivet-
cd; are twenty feet long and four and .
half beam, and contain ten air.tight
compartments, and are 20 constructed
that 1t IL 10 almost impossible to upset
them. Three Of these boats were made
and they cost about 900. All the sup
plies we're placed in rubber bags. On
the trip one Of the boats was caught on
the rocks and no badly injured that II was
abandoned. All the supplies except one
bag were saved.
| The river through the canyon is full Of
rapids which vary in length from . few
rods to two miles, but no abrupt falls
exist. The water is very swift and in
every bend in the river eddies occur, but
no whiripools or sucks were encountered.
The grea. danger to the boats were the
rocks under water, the boats either run.
ing against them or catching on them.
In many Of the rapids waves twenty feet
high were run over, the spray Of the
water drenching the men. All the party
wore cork jackets and every precaution
was taken against loss OF life. On
leaving Lees Ferry the party were
twelve in number, but Mr.. Nimms. the
photographer, was injured by falling
from the rocks, and was sent 10 Denver.
At kanab Wash, Macdonald, an old
prospector, and boatman OF experience
deserted the party having had enough Of
the trip.
The entire length Of the canyon the
scenery Is grand and awe inspiring. and
words are inadequate 10 describe its won
de:ful beauties. ...
About fifty. five miles above Diamond
Creek Canyon, on the north side Of the
river, Mr.. Stanton discovered the crater of
IN extinct volcano. The whole country
around the crater is covered with lava,
and the overflow at one time choked up
the Colorado river, and the flow Of lava
is shown in the river bed to within few
miles above Diamond Creek. The party
were greatly interested in this wonderful
throe Of nature, and for the time being
forgot everything else but an examine
ton Of the grand but destructive work
done in ages past.
The walls Of the canyon are not, as is
generally supposed, precipitious, but
are bench upon bench until they
reach the height Of 5000 to 1000 feet.
The high water mark in the narrowest
portions of the canyon is eighty feet.
Since Major Powell's trip through the
canyon many changes have taken place.
TIE rapids which were described by him
a. dangerous, were not 30. But other
rapids not noted by him we're found, and
in number Of places which required
portage then there is plenty Of water now.
OF the half dozen pillars Of lava which
Powell reported, but one is standing, a.
the case Of the three columns of sand
stone, one only being left. With each
great rise Of water changes are made in
the stream.
Mr.. Stanton is confident that he can
take properly constructed steam launch
safely up the canyon, and it may be in
years 10 come that pleasure parties may
make the trip in this manner.
The fall Of the river from Grand River
Junction to Diamond Greek 10 1900 feet,
= distance Of less than 600 miles. Some
ides Of the swiftness Of the stream may
be gained from this. The river il some
thing less than 200 feet vide in the mar
rowest part Of the canyon, and the boats
would pass through many of the rapids
with the speed Of an express train.
As to the discoveries Of mountains of
pure rock salt and valuable deposits OF
coal along the river, Mr.. Stanton says
that all reports that such discoveries
were made are the sheesest nonsense.
No prospecting for mineral was done.
No one familiar with prospecting for ores
was with the party after the departure
Of Macdonald. There may be valuable
deposits Of mineral along the canyon por-
ton Of the river, but not to his knowl-
edge, and there certainly sre not large
deposits Of salt or coal.
I ~. Stanton is reticsnt on the subject
Of a railroad dow, the banks Of the Colo
RADIO, and talks to no one about it, prie-
tibility, although he leaves the impress
ion that 70 fsyss he has explored the
river . road can be built, But ~ to the
cost he has no idea. He 10 Just now
making the survey and will, when he is
trough and compares bis data, be able