This place where we now stood was lower than the mountains either north or south, but were difficult to climb, and gave a good view in almost every direction, and there, on the back bone of the ridge we had a grand outlook, but some parts of it brought back doleful recollections.

They said they had traveled in sight of that mountain for months and seen many strange formations, but never one like this, as developed from this point.

It looked to be seventy-five miles to its base, and to the north and west there was a succession of snowy peaks that seemed to have no end.

Bennett and Arcane said they never before supposed America contained mountains so grand with peaks that so nearly seemed to pierce the sky.

Nothing except a bird could ever cross such steep ranges as that one.
West and south it seemed level, and low, dark and barren buttes rose from the plain, but never high enough to carry snow, even at this season of the year.