Windom Via Vallecito
The original access and development in the Chicago Basin area was apparently from Vallecito Creek to the east. A mixed party of soldiers and civilians led by Lt. C.A.H. McCauley located a route to the heretofore foreboding Needle Mountains via Johnson Creek, which they named after one of their members, Miles Johnson. The McCauley party also named several other features in the area, including McCauley peak, Valois Peak, and Grizzly Peak.