OCR Text |
Show 34 Lake having an elevation of 600 feet, representing in outline and magnitude, the pyrarnid of Cheops, in a remarkable degree. From this point to the . PASS in the Mountains, the distance is only 80 miles. SALMON TROUT, or TRUCKlE'S RIVER, (the name of this river is deriv~d. from the multitude of fish of that name that fill its waters, from Pyramid Lake to Truckie's Lal{e,) at the emigrant's usual crossing place is 60 feet wide, and 2 feet deep. It is 5 miles after you strike it before you come to timber. Its elevation at the mouth, is 4,890 feet above the level of the sea, being near ly 700 feet higher than the great Salt Lake, from which it li~s nearly west, and distant about 8 degrees of longitude. Pyramid Lake is about 35 miles long, and rises about 12 feet above its present level, with the waters poured down in the spring, from the melting snows in the mountains. It is the nearest lake to the western rim, as the great Salt Lake is to the eastern rim, of the great Basin of the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Neva& a.The fish in the lake anJ river are of a superior quality, and extraordinary size, being generally from 2 to 4 feet in length, and form the chief subsistence of the people who claim the exclusive possession of the fishery. The Indians usually catc? the fish by means of large traps, made of the twigs of the willow tree, growing on the banks of the river. If you have not lost time on the route, you would do well to camp for a few days to prepare your cattle for the ascent. From this place the road lies up the river; you will have to cross it between 20 and 30 times before you reach the summit of the first ascent distance, 35 miles; this distance is over a good road, con: ~idering the elevation of the surrounding country, grass 1s very good, timber su fficiently plenty for ca1npin0' pur· poses. On an· i ving at the first level, you emerge 0 in to " 35 noble valley, walled in on all sides by the surrounding mountains; the valley is about ten miles across, and co~- , tains a variety of the most nutritious grasses-timber IS scarce, however. The road runs across this valley, ~ts centre is crossed by a belt of slough or marsh ; there w1ll be little difficulty in getting. through, the sod is tough.On reaching the western edge, the road lie~cross a bar .. ren plain to the river; on reaching the river, you will find it necessary to cross it a number of time~ to avoid the walls of rock. Arter following the river for some miles, the road turns off short, through a gorge to the right, and begins to ascend the mountain. The sum~it of the ~assage is reached at a distance of about 7 mlles; there IS a good [>lace to camp on the top. You descend for so~e di~tance down a considerable steep, and find yourself In the second valley; a beautiful stream of spring water cros:es through its centre. The mountains are ~Tell cov~red ~1th pine timber, (pinus colorado) and the nut beanng p1ne, (pinus Monophyllus) the nut is oily, of a~ a~reeablt3 ~a·· vor and nutritious, and constitutes the pr1nc1ple subslstenc: of tribes among which you are now travellirrg. This valley is also surrounded by high mountains; the road then turns to the left. The country is very rolling, well covered with timber, and occasion.al stretches of fine grais. You find a small stream about 12 miles from the 2d valley, it is a tributary of the Salmon Trout. From this to the head of TRUCl{lE'S LAI{E, the distance is about 25 miles, the country is composed of a succession of low hills, gradua. l in ascent in tnost places, grass good; you cross anum. ber of small streams, and the main river a number of ti,nes, before you reach the Lake. This Lake is the source of the river, anrl is about 5tniles long and 2 in width. ·rhi3 1J.ke is called "Truckie's L1ke" by some, after |