Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume V.djvu/105

Rh 30' and 106° 30' W. The most northerly is North park, which embraces an area of about 2,500 sq. m., and has an elevation of nearly 9,000 ft. above the level of the sea. It is traversed by affluents of the north fork of the Platte, which unite near its N. limits, and flow N. beyond the borders of Colorado. Next to this, on the south, and separated from it by mountain spurs, is Middle park, walled in by the Front range of the Rocky mountains on the E., and on the W. by the Park mountains. It embraces an area of about 3,000 sq. m., extending about 65 m. N. and S. and 45 m. E. and W., and is also about 9,000 ft. high. The streams, most of which flow in a S. W. direction, are all tributaries of the Grand. On a tributary of this river, about 12 m. from the S. boundary of the park, are the hot sulphur springs, whose valuable medicinal qualities have attracted the attention of invalids and tourists. S. of Middle park, on the E. side of the Park range, is South park, embracing within its rocky barriers about 2,200 sq. m., the greater portion of which is adapted to agriculture, and nearly all of which affords excellent pasture lands. The maximum elevation above the sea is 10,000 ft., while the average elevation is about 9,000 ft. The streams, which are supplied by melting snows from the surrounding mountains, are tributaries of the South Platte, and flow E. through the park to the plains. The largest of these parks is San Luis, which has an area not less than that of the other three combined. It lies S. of South park, from which it is separated by the main range, which forms its N. and E. boundary, while its W. boundary is formed by the Sierra San Juan. Its highest elevation does not exceed 7,000 ft., which, with its southern location and mild climate, makes it well adapted to agriculture. The park is watered by the Rio Grande and its numerous tributaries, which flow in a southerly direction, and afford abundant water power. Other smaller parks, presenting similar features, are scattered through the mountains W. of the main range. Of this vast region little is known.—The river system of Colorado embraces the principal tributaries of the Rio Colorado, Rio Grande, Arkansas, Platte, and Smoky Hill and Republican forks of the Kansas. The Arkansas rises at the base of Mt. Lincoln, on the W. slope of the Rocky mountains, flows S. E. along the base of the range, W. and S. W. of South park, and, in a deep cañon, passes through the range at Cañon City, whence it continues across the plains in a S. E. direction. It traverses in Colorado a distance of about 500 m., no part of which is navigable. Its principal tributaries on the south are: the Greenhorn, which rises in the Wet mountains, flows N. E., and joins the main river a few miles E. of Pueblo; the Huerfano and its branch, the Cuchara, which unite about 18 m. from the Arkansas; the Apisha, which rises in the Spanish peaks, and flows into the Arkansas about midway between Pueblo and Fort Lyon; the Purgatory, which rises from the S. and W. declivities of the Spanish peaks and the N. slopes of the Raton mountains, and flows in an E. and N. E. direction; and the Cimarron, which rises on the S. slope of the Raton mountains, flows E. to the S. E. corner of the territory, and reaches the Arkansas in the Indian territory. The principal northern tributaries of the Arkansas are Fontaine qui Bout, which flows in a S. direction from the N. base of Pike's peak, near the foot of South park, joining the main river at Pueblo; Squirrel creek, the Little Sandy, and Big Sandy, flowing S. E. from the divide to the Arkansas. N. of the divide, the E. slopes of the mountains are drained by the South Platte and its tributaries. This river rises near the foot of Mt. Lincoln, in the N. W. corner of South park; it flows in a S. E. direction, receiving numerous smaller streams from the surrounding ranges and spurs, and leaves the park about 70 m. N. of the base of Pike's peak. After passing through the foot hills, it pursues a N. course for over 100 m. to the junction with its branch, the Cache à la Poudre, whence it flows E. and N. E. until it leaves the territory at its N. E. corner. The principal tributaries of the South Platte from the mountains have an E. direction, and join the main river before its confluence with the Cache à la Poudre, which also rises in the mountains N. of Long's peak. Beginning from the south, they are: the North fork of the South Platte; Clear creek, which, rising near the base of Gray's peak, flows through Clear Creek and Gilpin counties; St. Vrain, and Big Thompson. Flowing into the South Platte from the divide are Plum, Cherry, Terrapin, Kiowa, Bijou, and Beaver creeks. From the N. limits of the territory, flowing in a S. direction into the South Platte, are the Crow, Pawnee, and Horse Tail creeks. The Smoky Hill and Republican forks of the Kansas rise in the E. central portion of the plains, and pursue an E. direction to the limits of Colorado. The region W. of the main range, and N. of the Uncompahgre mountains, is drained by the tributaries of the Rio Colorado and the head waters of the North fork of the Platte; the latter are in the North park and surrounding mountains and flow northward. The principal northern tributaries of the Colorado are Bear river, flowing W., which has numerous branches rising in Elk Head, Rabbit Ears, and Escalante mountains; White river, which rises in the N. W. part of the territory, and flows W. until it empties into the Green, a tributary of the Colorado in the N. E. part of Utah; and Grand river, which rises near the base of Mt. Lincoln, and, receiving numerous tributaries from Middle park and the surrounding mountains, flows W. to its confluence with the Gunnison (also called the South fork of the Grand), near the W. central border of Colorado; its course is exceedingly tortuous, winding around mountain bases, and forming cañons of unknown