Without realising it, apparently, Powell was all these years steadily approaching the great exploit of his life, as if led on and prepared by some unseen power.

Now the project of exploring the mysterious gorges of which he heard such wonderful tales dawned upon him.

It was as near an inspiration as can be imagined.

Henceforth his mind and energy were directed irresistibly toward the accomplishment of this conception.
Again in 1868 he was in the field with the same financial backing, to which was added a small allotment from the Illinois Industrial University at Champaign, Illinois, a State school.

All but Mrs.Powell and his brother Walter, of this 1868 party, returned East on the approach of autumn, while with these and several trappers and hunters, among whom were the two Rowlands, William Dunn, and William Rhodes Hawkins, afterwards of his party to explore the canyons, he crossed the range to White River and wintered there near the camp of Chief Douglass and his band of Utes.