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Show REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 333 rado. Camp Mohave was reached August 20, and here we remained two weeks, taking mHiudingH and current-observations. On September 5 we left Camp Moiiave, moving down tbe east bank of tl«e river to Liverpool Landing, where a crossing was effected by meant* of a small ferry-boat* Thence down the west bank to a point opposite Ehrenberg, where supplies were obtained lor the return trip. The first part of the route was through tbe Mohave Valley, as it is rolled in Lieutenant 'Ives's report, probably because, it was then, as it in now, occupied by the Mohave Indians. The bottom-land tit for cultivation its on the east side of the river, and all is subject to overflow when tbe river is unusually high, which happeiis whenever there is a heavy fall of snow along the upper portion of the river. The Mohaves cultivate small patches of ground, raising vegetables, melons,corn, and wheat. They are more industrious and provident than the Pah-Utes, and usually lay in a supply for the winter, and have enough surplus to supply the post with melons niul vegetables during the summer. The valley ends at the Needles, where the mountain;-, clone in on l»oth sides, forming a narrow canon. Below this canon is the Chem-e-hue-vis Valley, occupied by a portion of the Cheni-e-hne-vis Indians. Thence down to Khrcuherg, the valley or liottom-land is of varying width, most of it being on the east side of the river. A few miles above Klireulierg the river crosses over to the east side, leaving a wide bottom-land on the \vest> side opposite this place. These bottom-lands, formed from the deposits of the river, have rich soil, and, with irrigation, could be made, very productive, if the river could lie, confined to a constant channel and prevented from overflowing the bottom-lands. Along the river there is a rich growth of trees, principally cot ton wood, and here the fuel is obtained for the river-steamers. The mad from Camp Mohave to the Needles is good. Thence, over the Needle Range, the trail along the river is in places very difficult, and practicable only for pack-animals. After crossing the river at Li ver|xiol Landing the trail leaves the river to the left, passing around Mount Whipple, and, after crossing the Monument Range, strikes the river again nearly opposite the Indian reservation at old Camp Colorado. Thence to Khrenberg the trail follows the river, part of it being difficult and fatiguing, as it continually crossed deep washes. After crossing the river, grass was scarce, the best supply lie.ing found, ns usual, where tbe water was not accessible. From Khrenlierg wo followed the old stage-road to Chuckawalla, thence to Dos Palmas, Los Torros, Agua Caliente, Whitewater, through the San Gorgonio Pass to Sau Bernardino, and thence back to Los Angeles, which point was reached October 4. After crossing the river-bottom opposite Khrenberg the road ascends to the first sum-nut, which isl)H4 feet above sea-level. West of Chuckawalla we cross another divide at an altitude of 2,tW> feet; thence the slope is downward to Dos Palmas, beyond which place the road crosses a |tortion of the low basin below sea-level. From thence the ascent is slow and gradual to tbe summit of Sau (Jorgonio Pass, which has an altitude of 2,74'A feet. Westward from this point there is a gradual descent to Los Angeles. Tlu; road from Khrenberg west as far as Los Torros is tolerably good. From the latter place to Agua Caliente it is very sandy and difficult for wagons. This portion of the Coahuila Valley is covered with immense sand-hills, some of which seem to be permanent, as large-sized mesquite and other brush grow on their summits. Others are constantly shifting their position; according to the direction of tbe prevailing winds. From Agua Caliente to San Bernardino tbe road is good and tbe grades easy. The stages having been taken off' this route and transferred to the Mohave River route, most of the stations had been abandoned, hence we found it difficult to obtain water and feed for tbe unimals at several points. At Ehrenberg I was assured that water of good quality and sufficient quantity would be found at Mule Spring Station, hut on arriviug there no trace of the well could be discovered, and not a drop of water obtained. A cloud-burst bail occurred a few days previous to our arrival, the water troui which bad formed a new wash over the site of the well, and it bad been completely tilled up and obliterated by the sand and gravel washed down from the hills. I he sand in the bottom of the wash was still moist, which gave us hopes that water niight be obtained by digging, but our efforts wore in vain, ami we were forced to start for Chuckawalla, though uncertain if water could be procured there. After a long march of over 40 miles the latter place was reached late in tbe evening, and, fortunately, water was obtained here-. Some of my men suffered (mentally, at least) considerably from thirst before this place was reached, as the contents of tbe canteens had given out long before we reached it, and had we not obtained water here tbecon-Hequeuces might have lieen serious. The springs of Cuuckawalla had been tilled up by the washing from a cloud-burst, also, but a couple of men had gone there a few days previously to open the. station, and they had removed the sand and gravel from ™»« springs. The water here is quite good, it having but a slight alkali taste. At Dos Palmas the water is very alkaline and salty. Quite a stream issues from the ground at this place. At Los Torros the water is good, and theie is a plentiful supply of it. At Agua Caliente the water is warm and sulphury ; its temperature is about 100J. On cooling, it loses most of its sulphury odor and taste. White River rises iu the Sau Ber- |