• Acknowledgments
• Abstract
• Prologue
• Beginnings and August
• 1868 : Hayden's background and the context and logistics of his
• 1867 and
• 1868 surveys
• Hayden's help
• The journey to the field and exploration around Cheyenne (August 2-19, 1868)
• The meeting of friends and side trips from Laramie (August 19-September 1)
• September through mid-November
• 1868 : Along the Overland Trail to Fort Steele and Benton (September 1-5)
• Trouble near Rawlins (September 6-11)
• Just two on the trail: Rawlins to Rock Springs (September 11-18)
• Stuck in Laramie (September 19-28)
• Traveling in style: the railroad and wagon ride to Salt Lake City (September 29-October 18)
• Hanging in Laramie (September 29-October 20)
• Land speculators and the scientist? Traveling to the San Luis Valley of Colorado and New Mexico (October 20-November 19)
• The journey's end: hanging it up in Denver
• Professional and personal results of the survey : Sample work and publishing at railroad speed
• Evaluation of the survey and its impact on future geological studies
• Influence on Hayden's reputation and legacy
• Epilogue
• References cited
• Index.

"Detailed recounting of the first government-sponsored geological survey of the Wyoming and adjacent territories in 1868. The results of Hayden's survey provided the earliest descriptive stratigraphic-structural profile across the Rocky Mountains and the initial discovery of dinosaur tracks in western North America"-- Provided by publisher.
"Ride the trails and rails across the Wild West with Ferdinand Hayden through this first-ever detailed recounting of the first government-sponsored geological survey of the Wyoming and adjacent territories in 1868. The discovery of new archival material has helped bring the day-to-day adventures of this unique survey to life. Events of the survey are intertwined with one of the most noteworthy events in U.S. history--the building of the transcontinental railroad. Activities of the railroad led Hayden to have serendipitous and influential encounters with famous Civil War generals, railroad executives, politicians, photographers, prominent geologists, and thieves. The results of Hayden's survey provided the earliest descriptive stratigraphic-structural profile across the Rocky Mountains and the initial discovery of dinosaur tracks in western North America. Featuring more than 50 vintage photographs, this volume will appeal to a general audience as well as those interested in the history of geology." -- Publisher's description