An anonymous writer speaking of these winter encampments, says: "The winter seasons in the Rocky mountains are usually fearful and severe.
There snow-storms form mountains for themselves, filling up the passes for weeks and rendering them impracticable either for man or beast.
"The scenery is indescribably grand, provided the beholder is well housed.
If the case be otherwise, and he is doomed to encounter these terrible storms, his situation is dreadful in the extreme.

Even during the summer months the lofty peaks of this mighty chain of mountains are covered with white caps of snow.

It affords a contrast to the elements, of the grandest conception, to stand in the shade of some verdant valley wiping the perspiration from the brow, and at the same time to look upon a darkly threatening storm-cloud powdering the heads of the hoary monster mountains from its freight of flaky snow.
"So far these American giant mountains are unsurpassed by their Alpine brothers of Europe.

Not so in the glaciers.

Throughout the great range there are no glaciers to be found which can compare with those among the Alps." In the spring the trappers scattered in small bands throughout that region.