OCR Text |
Show THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 39 case of the large valleys between the mountain ranges and going westward from Camp Floyd Rush Valley, Pleasant Valley ( the valley of Fish or Deep Creek, not on the route but in the vicinity of Pleasant Valley), Euby Valley, Walker's Valley, and Carson Valley. All these are cultivable in limited portions. And on his return route, going eastward from Genoa, Carson Valley ( common to outward route), Steptoe Valley, Antelope Valley, and Crosman Valley. The altitude of these valleys above the sea varies from three thousand eight hundred and forty feet, the lowest depression of Carson Valley, to six thousand one hundred and forty- six feet, the altitude of Steptoe Valley. Carson Valley has already shown its ca-pacity to grow the small cereals and garden vege-tables; and we doubt not the other valleys named, though higher in altitude, will be found sufficiently warm to mature the growth of the more hardy ce-reals and plants. Captain Simpson's return or more southern route, though about thirty miles longer, is much the best in respect to cultivable valleys and grass. The other exceptions to the desert character of the Basin are the small narrow valleys and ravines of the mountain streams, which, taking their rise high up in the mountains, course down to the plains or main valleys and sink. These valleys, though rich, are gen-erally too high above the sea, and therefore too cold, for arable purposes; but are valuable as furnishing in great abundance the small mountain bunch- grass, which has fattening qualities almost if not quite equal to those of oats. |