OCR Text |
Show 1266 REPORT OP THE CHIEF OP ENGINEERS. plenty of water. It is fonnd in nearly all the cafrons on the west side, between Gib r altar Creek at East Gate and Edwards Creek. Cedar Creek, next south of Edward's Creek, was meandered in ascending the highest peak from Patterson's. Edward's Creek, and the road along it, and through the pass to Smith's Creek, were meandered by Mr. Cow lea. Ou the east side of the range the two important drains are Smith's Creek and Putnam Creek flowing into Smith's Creek Valley, but both sink soon after leaving the foot- hills. On Smith's Creek a quantity of laud is under cultivation. We were encamped upon it for several days, at A. Maestretti's Ranch, who has title to the water-right of the stream. The land has not yet been sectionized by the land- survey. Settlers already located have, however, the first right to purchase when the land is opened for sale. The country drained by these two streams affords a range for cattle that in the summer season, I think, can scarcely be surpassed in the State, and geuerally the winters are not too severe to pass in Smith's Creek Valley. This valley is at an elevation of 6,000 feet above the sea- level. Two years since there was so much snow that it was necessary to feed hay to the cattle. This with a very large herd is impracticable, and in that wiuter a number of valuable cattle perished. Fairview Valley, to the west, is 2,000 feet lower, and there cattle can range throughout the winter. Putnam Creek was meandered, and the return trip made by the flat in Smith's Creek Valley. Ou the western side of this flat is a number of hot springs. There are about twelve of these. The openings are circular, and descend in a conical shape- some of them apparently 6 feet deep. I had not with me a thermometer reading more than 124°, aud could not tell the temperature, which was far above the indication of my thermometer. The water was quite clear; the flow very small. Bubbles rose at intervals to the surface. A piece of buckskin held in the water was almost at once acted uoon, aud when taken out was twisted and stiff and appeared like raw- hide. The circumferences varied from a few inches- mere openings- to one 3 feet across, which was the largest. There is little ' or no deposit, but some green and black to red fungus. The springs were in one line, extending north and south about 100 yards, on a slight ridge, and on the slopes of which a fit tie grass was growing. There were a number of cold springs, too, intermingled with the hot, but none of them had any flow, the water remaining at one level, and the springs trampled by cattle, so that there appeared no opening in the bottom of them, as in the case of the hot springs. Two springs, the water of which is quite warm, are found about 6 miles to the north of them in this valley ; the cattle driuk freely of their water. The barreu flat in this valley covers nearly 20,000 acres of laud. White sage grows on the slopes to tbe hills ; of this the cattle are very fond. At this season of the year ( October) there is no water in the valley. Simpson, in the spring of 1859, speaks of a lake being there, and ala » of a considerable stream ( Englemau Creek) flowing between Smith's and Putnam Creeks. Tins creek was not to be seen. From Smith's Creek Mr. Spiller proceeded along the foot- hills to the noith, to make a station in the range south of New Pass; afterward to join the northern road and follow it to Mount Airy, and thence to an appoiuted rendezvous at Bi re trim's ranch, on Reese River. The rest of the party followed the southern road, which led to the same poiut. This camp was 10.7 miles southwest of Austin. We remained there several days duplicating and arranging the notes of the party. Austin was visited, and Mount Proraetheus, near there, occupied. We are indebted to Mr. Melville Cnrtis, engineer of the Manhattan Mining Company, for the bearings and distance to connect this point with an astronomical monument previously established at Austin by this survey. The Reese River Valley presented a good base of operations for completing the su rvey of the eastern portion of our area, the same purpose that the Carsou River and old overland road with its water- stariou8 hail served in our route eastward. The valley of the river here lies between the Toyabe Range on the east and the Shoshone on the west. The Toyabes rise above 11,700 feet aud tbe Shoshone about 10,000 feet. The two ranges converge at tbe head of the valley and range south iuto the desert, while the Toyabes to the north of latitude 39° 30', and the Shoshone north of 39° 15' decrease in altitude and have little water. The river rises in the Toyabes, about latitude 38° 45', and flows to the north. A second source is from copious springs, in the valley a few miles south of Birchim's, forming a branch that soou unites with the other. The river- bed crosses the Central Pacific Railroad at Battle Mountain Station, near which place it joins the Humboldt River; water nearly flows to its mouth. The ranges are well wooded, and some of the trees, are fit for timber, but the growth is generally stunted. None of the caftan- streams of tbe Sboshone reach the river. Tbe soil of the valley is much impregnated with alkali; toward the upper part of the valley is a number of grain- ranches; barley is principally raised, the past reason being an exceptionally prosperous one. Tbe lower ranches on the river are adapted to making hay. Mr. Spiller was assigned to work up the topography of the Toyabe Range. He entered tbe range by way of Big Creek, occupied Geneva Peak, and then worked southward to latitude 39°. Once crossing iuto Big Smoky Valley by Kingston Cation, and then reorossiug the rauge to Washington, he finally r- joiued the party at McMahon's |