 Stuart wrote, “The summit of this mountain, whose form appears to be owing to some volcanic eruption, is flat, and exhibits a plain of more than 3 miles square (7.8 km²)”

Stuart’s party spent the winter on the upper North Platte River and reached St. Louis at the end of April 1813.Stuart himself did not reach New York to consult with Astor until June 23.Despite the bad news about the "Tonquin", Astor still had high hopes for his venture.