C C 1840 INSCRIPTION

Near Piedmont, where an old trapper's trail descends Bigelow Bench, is found a stone wall which once was covered with numerous names. One of the inscriptions is "C C 1840." Could this have been left by the famous Kit Carson? It is know that Kit was on the Muddy in 1840. Also a soldier and correspondent to the New York Herald using the pen name UTAH wrote:

"About six miles from our camp was a high rock, which I visited, and though I walked entirely around its base, I found no place where it was possible to make an ascent. It is about two thousand feet high -- when I speak thus I mean higher than the plains around -- and presented naught but a solid rocky face to the visitor. I should have risked my neck in making an attempt to ascend it, but my time was nearly up, and I had to hasten back to camp; for if I were once to abuse my privilege, I could never expect to have it renewed -- I would never ask it. All around the base, as high as a man could reach,names were cut and painted. Following the example of those who were before me, I raised myself by means of a heap of stones, and cut my name in large letters, about twelve feet from the plain. Though I may never have a monument raised to my memory in any of our great cities; though my name may never be met with on history's pages; though my statue may never stand in public places, or on the top of pedestals; though no stone may deck my last resting place; though I may fall on the  battle field, fighting for my country's honor, and my bones be left to whiten on the Western Plains, without even a sod to cover them; so long as the rock stands he who visits it will know that such a man as "UTAH" lived, and that he placed his name where it would be almost immortal, high above all others who proceeded him. What a glorious idea that is! He who reads my letters may soon forget me, He who heard my name may pass it by unnoticed, but away on the Western Plain I have a mighty monument that keeps my name undying, until the rock shall melt or tumble to the plain. Among the names I saw that of Christopher Carson; but his does not come within five feet of being as high as mine. Ah, Kit, old hunter and traveler though you be, a boy, scarce three months from civilization, overtops you. But so it should be. He who reaches highest should succeed, and he who is content with lowliness, should shine there."