The morning call., 1892-10-15
COLORADO'S GRAND CANYON.
Its Exploration Related by
Major Powell.
The Members Of the Sierra Club Given a
Rare Treat Last Night in
Pioneer Hall.

"The Exploration of the Grand Canyon Of
the Colorado" was thesubject of an address
by Major j. w. Powell, director of the
United States Geological Survey, to the
Sierra Club at Pioneer Hall, last night.
The hall was filled with cultured audi
ence, including many ladies. On the plat
form were seated John Muir, president of
the club; Warren Olney, vice-president
w. ID. Armes, secretary; Professor LIE
Conte, Professor Moses, Professor Senger,
ex-Judge Myrick. Harold Wheeler, W. c..
Gregory, Willard ID. johnson, United States
Geological Survey. and r. NJ. Price.
Vice-President Olney made brief ad-
dress on the objects of the club, the princi-
pal one being to influence public opinion as
TO the necessity for the preservation of our
forests. He referred to Congressman Cam-
inetti's bill to diminish the territory of the
Yellowstone National Park and announced
that general meeting of the club to dis
cuss the bill will be held on the 29th inst
Professor Senger produced large map of
the park and showed the contemplated
dimnution which included valuable forests.
1t was TO be done to accommodate farmers
and miners located in the region and it
would be impossible to keep sheep out Of
the park.
Major Powell was then introduced by
ice-President Olney and met with a cor
dial reception. During the delivery of his
address, which occupied about al hour, he
was frequently applauded. Not for mo-
ment was the profound interest of the audi
ence allowed to wane, but on the contrary
Ii was more and more intensified as the ad-
dress proceeded.
The famous geologist commenced by
describing and explaining the geologic for
nation OF the two distinct regions drained
by the Colorado River and the wonderful
cliffs and canyons unequaled in the world.
He then vividly depicted the scenes dur
ing his three months exploration, in 1869,
of the Colorado River, ending In the Grand
Canyon.
For the first forty or fifty miles," he said,
"the river was comparatively quiet, but a.
last we made turn and saw the mountains
before us. Into that mountain range the
river runs"
About this time they lost boat with its
cargo of provisions through striking against
rock while going over the falls, but the
men were saved.
He took the audience In Imagination with
him through the beautiful canyon of the
Green River called Desolati0n Canyon, then
through Labyrinth Canyon, at the head Of
the Colorado proper, where the walls are
about 1000 feet high. They stopped there
for day or two 10 take observations. Ac-
companied by Bradley, one of his men. he
climbed to the summit after overcoming
d
most wonderful world spread out before
him, great towering rocks, 800 feet high,
naked, solid rock with no vegetation, no
soil and all brilliantly colored.
Next day they started down the Colorado.
going through the Cataract Canyon" with
its numerous rapids and falls, and the
Marrow Canyon" Here a stream enters
the canyon, which get its name-"Dirty
DeviP-from a remark made by Dunn, one
of the men, who had been asked by the men
in boat in the rear if it were clean and
good for fishing.
"It had the odor," SAID Major Powell, "of
box of Georgia ointment"
Then they passed through the marble
Canyon" with its blue, pink and saffron
colored marble reaching as high as 5000
feet and soon reached the Little Colorado.
and the Grand Canyon was before them.
"The first six or seven miles," said Major
Powell. "the stream Is quiet. There are
great plateaus on each side, and suddenly
we make turn and the mouth OF Tophet is
before us The great black rocks give one
| that impression. and we could hear the roar
| of the waters from the canyon below"
He then described graphically how
| Bradley went over fall in boat
| by himself. and as they saw his boat
| engulfed again and again in the white
| foam at the bottom OF the tails they never
| through all right. Major Powell and two
| others went over also in boat but the
| boat was capsized and they were all thrown
| out.
| 81 don't know yet." said Major Powell,
show we got out alive, but somehow or
| other we got to Bradley and he picked us
| up. Three days afterward we were at the
| foot of the canyon"
He described their feelings on camping
| once more in the open country under the
| quiet vault of heaven, and concluded by re-
| lating little bit OF lesson from the
canyons cut by the running waters during
| many centuries of time.