[66] Independence Rock is said to have received its name from the circumstance of a party ascending it on July 4th and celebrating there Independence Day. It is an isolated mass of gray granite in length about 1950 feet, and in height about 120 feet, according to Fremont's observation in 1842, at which time he marked a large cross thereon, a fact which was introduced adversely against him during his presidential campaign in 1856. Fremont speaks of the many names inscribed on the rock.--Fremont's _Report_. Washington, 1845, p. 72. On account of these names it has been called a "tombstone" and Father De Smet named it "the great register of the desert." Joel Palmer, in 1845, described it as follows: "Portions of it are covered with inscriptions of the names of travelers, with the dates of their arrival--some carved, some in black paint, and others in red."--_Journal_, in Thwaites's "Early Western Travels," vol. 30, p. 67. For other descriptions, see Delano, p. 98; Chittenden, vol. 1, p. 471-472. [67] Sweetwater River. [68] Described by Fremont, in 1842, as follows: "Devil's Gate, where the Sweet Water cuts through the point of a granite ridge. The length of the passage is about three hundred yards and the width thirty-five yards. The walls of rock are vertical, and about four hundred feet in height."--_Report._ Washington, 1845, p. 57, where a picture of it is also given. For other descriptions, see Palmer's _Journal_, in Thwaites's "Early Western Travels," vol. 30, p. 67-68; Delano, p. 99-100; Chittenden, vol. 1, p. 473-474. [69] Delano, p. 104-105, refers to the "gap" or "gloomy gorge." [70] The place known as the Three Crossings. [71] The ice is found here by diging down some 18 or 20 inches below the surface.--_Original note._ [72] The Wind River Mountains, a range of the Rocky Mountains, running northwest and southeast, in Fremont County, Wyo., and of which Fremont Peak, of 13,790 feet, is the highest altitude. It was the ultimate limit of Fremont's expedition of 1842, and he presents a view of these mountains in his _Report_. Washington, 1845, opp. p. 66. This range was earlier described, _e. g._ in Irving's _The Rocky Mountains_. Phila., 1837, vol. 1, p. 62-63. [73] Strawberry Creek, in Fremont County, Wyo. [74] These words are scored out in the original manuscript. [75] See on this last crossing, Delano, p. 113; Chittenden, vol. 1, chap. 26. [76] The South Pass, "the most celebrated pass in the entire length of the Continental Divide" and where "the traveler, though only half-way to his destination, felt that he could see the beginning of the end."--Chittenden, vol. 1, p. 475. It is in Fremont County, Wyo. Delano, p. 115, describes it. Gold was discovered here and it became a great goldmining center, for which see Coutant's _Hist. of Wyoming_, vol. 1, chap. XLIII.