Laurel outlook., 1950-12-06


left in the United States, probably
the least known of them all is the
Big Horn river canyon, sometime:
referred to as Montana and Wyo'
ming's Lost Country. This gigantic
gorge is rated by some as the thlro
greatest canyon in America. II
winds and twists its way for miles
through a vast region of wilderness
along the Montana Wyoming bor-
der between two high mountain
ranges, the Pryors and the Big
Horns.
Here through the ages the Big
Horn river has carved a chasm
of colossal magnitude as it forces
its way through solid rock. The
canyon is ablaze with cOlor-its
massive walls of yellow, vermilllon
and pink are a sight never to be
forgotten. But for all its beauty
it has remained a land of mystery
to all but a handful of explorers
who have dared to penetrate its
depths.
For centuries its perpendicular
walls and roaring rapids have de-
fled adventures, even to the extent
of taking their lives. 1t is Stunned
by the Indians who believe it to be
the home of evil spirits, from the
strange and unaccountatble noises
that emerge from the canyon.
Captain Clark of the Lewis and
Clark expedition knew of its eXis-
tence in 1906. John Golfer was
perhaps the first white man to ever
gaze into it's depths. In 1925, the
w. H. Ashley expedition came
down the Big Horn with the first
great shipment of furs to ever
leave Wyoming, but on reaching
the head of the canyon and view
ing the dreaded ~bottleneck, Ashley
permitted only one boat to chance
the turbulent waters of the gorge.
Eight years later, in 1888, Captain
BONNEVILLE came down the Big Horn
to the head of the canyon, where
he recorded the following in his
diary: "At this point the river is
forced through a r precipi-
tous defile; it's passage is rough
and violent, the river making re-
peated falls, and rushing down long
and furious rapids-a place of GER
tain destruction. We + forced to
leave the river and traverse the
mountains by a rugged and fright
full route emphatically called the
Bad Pass"
An expedition under James and
Granville Stuart discovered gold
in the Big Horn in 1868. They leave
an historical account of a battle
with the Indians at the foot of the
towering cliffs of the lower Big
Horn canyon where several mem
Ders of their party are buried.
While the history of the can
yon is varied, interesting and often
tragic, it's geological mystery is
even more significant.
The most recent adventures to
attempt the trip are William
Greene and Ward E. King, both of
Greybull, who guided an expedition
of six through the canyon the past
summer. Others in the party were
Russell Bond and Dale Noble of
Greybull, Harry ROylance Of Liv-
ingston and Ted Townsend of Bill
lings. Townsend packed into Dry
head and joined the group there
for the last half of the trip. Adrian
Allen of Great Falls made only the
first half of the journey.
Using specially constructed boats
patterned after th,se which nave
run the Grand canyon of the Colo
RADIO with success, and generously
supplied with extra oars, ropes and
life belts, the six men departed
from Greybull. The two 16-foot
boats were made of plywood and
had watertight compartments
where enough food was stocked for
two weeks.
In one place the party came
upon a stone fortress overlooking
the river. At another, an old cabin
crumbling to dust. In front of
the doorway, under the accumula-
ton of many years, the party