named Rio San Pedro, at a spot just northwest of present-day Naturita. Renaming the San Pedro to the now-familiar San Miguel would come later by way of Spanish or New Mexican traders, perhaps during a late-September excursion coincident with the feast of St. Michael. The explorers headed east along Rio San Pedro and followed a branch of Horsefly Creek over the Uncompahgre Plateau. Escalante observed that this high country “abounds in excellent pasturage, is very moist, and has good land for crops without irrigation.” They made their way to the Uncompahgre River, descending the plateau just south of what was to be Montrose, then paralleled that river north toward the Gunnison. Escalante referenced Rivera’s tree-carving episode in his own journal but failed to mention seeing the tree itself, perhaps indicating that they were no longer on Rivera’s route. Dominguez had learned of a large gathering of Yutas to the east and north of what is now Delta. Also at the camp were reported to be a contingent of Laguna Indians Mexican-born Dominguez, 37 years of age—and a Franciscan for (later called “Uintah Utes”), who had traveled from their home near 20 of those years—had been sent north to New Mexico during March the Great Salt Lake of Utah. In hopes of learning the best and safest of 1776, ostensibly to inspect the province’s missions. But he was also route to the Great Basin, Teguayo and California, Dominguez diverted instructed to investigate an overland route from Santa Fe to California. the expedition east along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Just For that mammoth task, it was recommended he call on Fray Escalante, beyond what is known today as Leroux Creek, the party turned north a Spaniard and a Franciscan 10 years his junior. Veléz de Escalante had and reached the confluence of Willow and Hubbard Creeks, where lived with the Pueblo Indians since 1774, having last been stationed in they met 80 Yuta warriors and a contingent of Lagunas. Dominguez’s Zuni before being summoned to Santa Fe intuition had paid off. In addition to by Dominguez in June 1776. Escalante had knowledge gained about the Great Basin, Dominguez and Escalante the padre recruited two Lagunas who established his reputation, with both secular and religious authorities, as an able observer were repeatedly warned not to cross agreed to guide him there. Northwest over of frontier conditions and an accomplished Grand Mesa, past present-day Collbran and Rio del Tizon, because murderous communicator. And it was Escalante, apparthen north over Battlement Mesa, the party ently convinced that a recently explored approached Rio del Tizon at a point just Comanche warriors and other southern route from California through above what is now Debeque. hostile Hopi territory was too dangerous, Dominguez and Escalante were lethal dangers would await them who ultimately convinced Governor repeatedly warned not to cross Rio del on the other side. Mendinueta that a northern route was the Tizon, because murderous Comanche better passage to Monterey. warriors and other lethal dangers would The two padres and their party—which included several veterans await them on the other side. Considering their small numbers and of Rivera’s second expedition—set out to the clanging of church bells dearth of weapons, it must have been a relief when, on September and a flock of waving white handkerchiefs on what would be a five23—after crossing Rio del Tizon and a two-week trek through month, 1,700-mile odyssey that, while falling short of its intended rugged and presumably dangerous country—Dominguez saw the destination, chronicled and mapped territory never before seen by Great Salt Lake, which he named Nuestra Señora de la Merced de los European explorers. Timpanagotzis. The expedition traveled as far as the Big Bend of the Dolores over Escalante didn’t refer to it as such, but the mysterious land of the well-blazed trail followed by Rivera—Dominguez carried Rivera’s Teguayo had been found, though what the padres discovered was no diary with him—but rather than take the path over the Dolores Tenochtitlan or anything remotely comparable to the great city of the Plateau as Rivera did, the explorers turned northwest, proceeding Aztecs. In describing the settlement’s hospitable inhabitants, Escalante along the often-treacherous Dolores River, past present-day Dove observed that the men resembled Spaniards more than Indians and Creek and Slickrock, and then spent three days wandering aimlessly “were so fully bearded they looked like Capuchin padres.” in the August heat before locating Rivera’s route out of the Gypsum Dominguez and Escalante had reason to be pleased with their Valley. Escalante noted in his journal that the task of finding Yutas—it accomplishments. After two months and over 800 miles, they had had been three weeks since they had last encountered any Natives— located Rio del Tizon and Teguayo, and, with encouragement from should be considered a priority. the Lagunas, they agreed to return and establish a mission in the On August 20, the party arrived in the valley that Escalante Great Basin. Yet when snow and cold marked their passage south of 58
telluride magazine summer/fall 2009
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