Semi-weekly herald., 1914-01-15

small. On top Of the mesas are
numerous mounds, which at one time
were large pueblos, aud which con-
aimed numerous population. Some
of these have an area Of as high as
100 acres each. There are over 400
ruins within the park.
The highest elevation in the park
is Park Point, with an altitude Of
S,574 feet. From this point mag
nificent view of the surrounding
country is obtained.
Cust0dianship.
The custody of the park is dele
gated by the secretary of the inter
ior to a superintendent, whose office
is maintained in Mancos, Colo, the
nearest railroad point to the park
where visitors can find accommoda-
tions. The superintendent is assist
ed in his duties by limited number
of rangers, who act as guides and
police the park.
Order.
A high degree of order has been
| maintained; the ruins have been pro-
tected from vandals and curio hunt
ers.
Stock.
1t has been the custom to least the
pasture lands of the park, which are
very desirable, to owners of patented
lands in the park and others. At pres
ent grazing permits have been issued
for l,225 head of cattle.
| The leeses are required to cooper
ate with the superintendent and rang
ers in maintaining order on the park
and to assist in watching and exiting
uishing fires.
| Roads and Trails.
During the past year the section
of road from station 1874 to station
95i has been constructed, so that
now tourists and other visitors ear
drive directly through TO Spruce Tree
camp. Contracts have also beer
made for road beginning at the
head of Morefield Canyon, running
south for 4 miles, then crossing the
divide into -Prater Canyon, thei
climbing up out of Pratcr Canyon ano
meeting the present road at the heac
of Moccasin Canyon, a distance of I!
miles. This road allows the aband
onment of about miles of the ole
road, which had very steep grade'
and was exceedingly dangerous OF
account of the overhanging rim rocl
and the steepness of the side hill OF
which it was built. This new roat
will be ready for travel in the late
fall
The trails into the principal ruin
have been repaired and widened b,
the rangers. but still require a gooc
deal of work.
The rangers also cut out a trai
, from Spruce Tree camp to Lonl
House, Peabody House, and The In
accessible.
The county commissioners hav
just completed grading their road t.
, connect with the park road from tn
Mancos- Cortez wagon road This j
, a portion of the state highway lead
ing from Durango to Cortez and Do
lores, and when completed will brini
in great many visitors to the park
Water Supply.
This year has been an excellent on
to test the water supply Of the park
as practically no rain has fallen thi
summer. The spring and cisterns Il
| Spruce Tree House have supplied
, plenty of water for all the visitor
and their stock so far, and have givel
no indication of failing.
The wells at School Section AM
Soda Canyons held up well durini
the protracted dry spell, furnishing
ample water for the contractors oI
the road.
Buildings.
After due investigation, it is m.
belief that the headquarters Of tn
superintendent should be in the park
. and the most suitable place, every
thing considered, is at the upper EN-
! Of School Section Canyon, which j
wide enough to allow for ground
for the headquarters and for larg
hotel, which will soon be required l.
handle the increasing number of Wis
itors.
A four-room, log, ranger station
with well and barn, will be erected a
| this point this fall, in order that tn
rangers may have suitable place l.
live while patrolling the park,
Game.
A large number Of black-tail dee
, are on the park at this time; also
few grouse and rabbits. Coyotes an
fox are numerous. There are also
few mountain lion.
Early in August | advised the de
! partment of the difficulty in prevent
ing the Indians from the Southern