Sunday. 16th. Moved our camp up to the foot of the mountain where we
found a good spring of water and some grass. We are now fairly in the
Rocky Mountains, and a ragged looking country it is. Huge piles of
granite reared upon each other, covered with snow renders the prospect
picturesque, but cheerless. Weather cold and windy.
17th. Passed the Devil's gate, a narrow chasm in the rock, said to be
about four hundred feet deep, through which the Sweet Water runs. It
resembles the dells on the Wisconsin river. Have had a sandy road and
poor grass. Bought a light wagon and harness this evening for 10
dollars. Saw several heavy wagons that had been left on the road, owing
to the sand.