Transcriber's Note:
Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
The following alternate spellings may be typos, or refer to different places or people.
- Willamet and Willamette
- Choteau and Chouteau
- Mohave and Mojave
- Pratt and Pratte
- Purisima and Purissima
- Radisson and Raddison
The photograph of "Navajo Silver Beads" shown in the list of illustrations as being on page 72 does not appear in the book.
Duplicated advertisements in the front and back matter of the book have been removed from the front.
THE SIERRA BLANCA
Blanca Peak, 14,390 feet.Baldy Peak, 14,176 feet.
Blanca Peak is the Third Highest in Colorado.
The point of view is on Trinchera Creek looking north from an altitudeof about 8000 feet. To the left is the San Luis Valley through whichflows the Rio Grande, and to the right are the two high passes knownas Veta and Sangre de Cristo. The Sierra Blanca forms the southern endof the Sangre de Cristo Range and was one of the great landmarks ofthe Wilderness.
Sketch in oils made at the place by F. S. Dellenbaugh.
Breaking the
Wilderness
The Story of the Conquest of the Far West, from the Wanderings
of Cabeza de Vaca, to the First Descent of the Colorado by
Powell, and the Completion of the Union Pacific
Railway, with Particular Account of the
Exploits of Trappers and Traders
By
Frederick S. Dellenbaugh
Member of the Powell Colorado River Expedition; Author of "The Romance ofthe Colorado River," "The North Americans of Yesterday," etc.
"Accursèd wight!
He crowds us from our hills. He hacks and hews,
Digs up our metals, sweats and smelts and brews."
Hauptmann, The Sunken Bell.
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press
1908
Copyright, 1905
BY
FREDERICK S. DELLENBAUGH
The Knickerbocker Press, New York
TO
ALMON HARRIS THOMPSON
WHOSE ABILITY, FORESIGHT, AND GOOD JUDGMENT
SO VITALLY AIDED THE COLORADO RIVER EXPEDITION OF
1871 AND 1872
AND FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS
HAVE SO GREATLY PROMOTED
THE SUCCESS OF GOVERNMENT EXPLORATION AND SURVEY
THIS VOLUME
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
TO COMMEMORATE TRAVELS TOGETHER
IN
THE WILDERNESS