Report on the geology of the Henry MountainsGilbert, Grove Karl
Science
Report on the geology of the Henry Mountains
Gilbert, Grove Karl
Geology -- Utah -- Henry Mountains; Intrusions (Geology) -- Utah -- Henry Mountains
But if the Cretaceous coals were well developed it is to be doubted if
they would ever be used. They could have no local market. They could not
be carried to the east or south on account of the cañons. If taken
northward they would have to compete with the coal of Castle Valley,
which is more convenient and very abundant. If taken westward to the
metal mines of Nevada and Western Utah they would be undersold by the
more accessible coals found on the headwaters of the Virgin River and
Kanab Creek, and even by those of the Kaiparowits Plateau.
The _Gypsum_ and _Building Stones_ of the region need not be described.
They are plentiful in many parts of Utah, and however abundant in this
remote place can never be in demand.
_Gold, Silver, etc._—Three parties of “prospectors” have at different
times made unsuccessful search for metalliferous veins. In the course of
my survey I spent more than a month’s time among the crystalline and
metamorphic formations of the mountain tops, and although directing my
attention constantly to the rocks, did not discover a fissure vein.
Combining these negative data with certain theoretic considerations
which are set forth in the fourth chapter, I am led to the very
confident opinion that the essential conditions for the production of
fissure veins have not existed in the Henry Mountains, and hence that
there are no valuable deposits of the precious metals. The same
theoretic considerations apply to other mountains of the same character,
and I venture to predict that gold and silver will not be found in
paying quantity in Navajo Mountain, the Sierra la Sal, the Sierra Abajo,
the Sierra Carisso, or the Sierra La Lata.
_Agricultural Land._—Bowl Creek, both branches of Lewis Creek, and the
south branch of Trachyte Creek can readily be led to tracts of land
sufficiently level for farming, and each furnishes enough water to
irrigate several hundred acres. It is possible that these tracts will
prove useful for farming, but they lie a little too high to be assured
of a favorable climate. The lowest has an altitude of 6,000, and the
highest of 6,800 feet.
_Grazing Land._—Above the altitude of 7,500 feet there are many tracts
of good grass, available for grazing through the greater part of the
year but covered by snow in the winter. Below that level there is a
greater area of inferior grass, available through the whole year. By
using one portion in summer and the other in winter the mountains could
be made to give permanent support to a herd of 3,000 or 4,000 cattle.
With such overstocking as is often practiced in Utah they may subsist
10,000 animals for one or two years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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