On January 29, 1807, the camp of U.S. Army Lt. Zebulon Pike's exploration party stood on Zapata Creek after the party, finding the distance too great to cross directly to the river, marched obliquely to a copse of woods extending from the mountains, covering 17 miles and seeing signs of horses. Having entered New Spain, Pike was poised to penetrate the secrecy that had shielded the territory for the past century. At the time, New Mexico was rich in horses and mules for trade and in silver for purchase, while on America's frontier work animals were scarce and manufactured goods were available. After the Spanish discovered the party on the Conejos River, Pike was escorted to Santa Fe and Chihuahua, Mexico. Later, Pike and his men were taken across Texas and returned to the United States in July 1807. Information gained on the expedition was published in 1810, and within a decade entrepreneurs had reached Santa Fe and returned with great profit, giving rise to the Santa Fe Trail and to Pike's recognition as its acknowledged father.