Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 2, Pt. 2

PLATNS OF MADELIN PASS.
over the miry (dry) soil so often mentioned, was severe, not only for our animals, but for ourselves. Five miles below the crest, the country became much cut up by ravines, and was falling
off so rapidly, 250 feet to the mile, that we did not deem it necessary to proceed further, but
ascended a rocky mass and obtained a favorable view of a route leading from the south end of
Mud lake to the west, which had attracted attention when we were approaching the Sierra
from the east. Descending from the mountain near us were several small streams, forming a
grassy pond at the foot of the descent; and beyond this a broken ridge was follcwed by the
pass just mentioned; still to the south of this, a high range was seen, upon which there was
considerable snow.
In our outward trip we surprised several Indian families. They were much frightened at
our appearance, especially the women. I invited the men to accompany us, and made then
presents. On our return the women had all disappeared, but the men accompanied us to camp,
where we arrived at sundown, after a ride of thirteen hours. South from our camp the mountains rise gradually, but to no considerable height. Cedar was scattered along our path to-day,
rising to the height of only 40 or 50 feet, but the largest of the trees were two feet in diameter.
June 24.-I determined to cross to the west the broad plain upon which we caie at the head
of the Madelin Pass, and which would be followed by a railroad crossing this part of the Sierra
Nevada. As before stated, this plain to the eye is entirely level, and although several small
creeks flow into it and sink, no water is or can be discharged from it without (first forming
a lake) overflowing at one of the numerous low gaps in the surrounding ridges. At the
time of melting snows, there are many little sheets of water standing upon it for a short time,
and even now it is not free from them towards the west. Its vegetation is generally sage, but a
few limited meadows of grass exist on its borders. A variety of large snipe and sage-cocks are
common, but- we saw no evidences of larger game. On the best authenticated maps in our
possession, Feather river is laid down as rising far to the north of our present position, and, in
its southern course, draining the country which we are passing; and, however well we were
satisfied from the formation of the country that this could not be the case, it still indicated the
probability of finding a practicable descent, in the direction we were travelling, to the waters of
the Sacramento; which is laid down on the maps referred to as having one of its chief sources
in a snowy range of no great extent, which has be(en several days in sight to the northwest.
The day was bright and clear-after the passage of a storm at a distance in the morning-with
the usual very high wind from the southwest. The entire march was upon the plain, passing
occasionally between low hills; and we encamped near the base of more connected low ranges
near the mountains surmounting the plain to the west, which are low and beautifully dark
with forests of timber-the first we have seen in twelve months really worthy of the name
Day's march, 19.53 miles. The line of profile is direct from our camp of the 22d instant to this
point; the distance (across the plain) being 21.9 miles, with but a nominal grade.
June 25.-Taking the most favorable course we could discover, we were forced still to the
northwest, passing (upon the plain of yesterday) between two low spurs at first, and afterwards
leaving a small lake to the left. We then entered a pass, or ravine valley, a quarter of a mile
wide, smooth and gradually ascending for a mile. It then expanded to the width of a mile, and
was grassy and smooth, and still rising easily; but it heca me narrowed to a quarter of a mile in
width, and rose muore considerably for the last half mnile as we approached the summrit. The
hills or mountain ridges rise gently on either side of the ascent, and are finely rounded and
grassy; and that to the left, and the whole mountain at the top of the pass, is beautifully
wooded with pine, two, three, and four feet in diameter, rising in fine trunks to great hei'ghts.
By winding on the hills it would be easy to increase the length of the approach somewhat,
and to transfer the grade towards the lower part of the ascent, and equalise it; and the summit
can easily be cut to the depth of 100 or 120 feet, diminishing the altitude to; be overcome.
The descent to the west is at first rapid, and the ravine narrow; but it soon opens to a much
greater width, through which a creek descends, at first lazily, but afterwards?, as the, water
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