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Show 133 « rn foot- hills of the Panamint range to Willow- Tree Station, ( on the Loa Angeles and Panamint road via Pilot Knob;) there occupied Brown's Peak, iu the southern portion of the range, for triangulation and topography, and passed to the south of the range by Leach's point and Owl Springs into Death Valley at Saratoga Springs; thence along the dry bed of the Atnargosa by Resting Spring and Clark's Fork, and left the Amargosa to pass to the east into Water Valley aud Pah Spring, this last the rendezvous of a numerous band of Indians; thence by Ash Meadows to our camp at Furnace Creek, which they reached September 8, having been absent thirteen days. Furnace Creek is formed by numerous warm springs that have their rise ( all about of the same altitude) in the low slopes on the north side of the cation, the warmest of which is a little over 90° F. The stream, 3 or 4 miles in length, sinks where it reaches Death Valley. The south walls of the cation are a curious strongly- cemented conglomerate, and a small amount of calcareous matter seems to be the only deposit from the springs. After occupying a peak to the south, in the Amargosa range, for topography, we moved to the northeast, crossing this range by a pass heretofore unexplored, and then north across the Armagosa Desert to Oasis Valley. This march of 38 miles was entirely destitute of water or grass, and, having first to cross the rauge, but 20 miles were accomplished at sundown, a night march was made until 1 a. m.; and, starting early the next morning, a good camping- place was found at 10 a. m. Bare Peak, near by, was occupied, and a trip made to occupy Toe- li- oha Peak, in the northeastern corner of atlas- sheet 65. While this was being done, a reconnaissance was made with a light party, to gain the necessary information for recovering the Amargosa range into Death Valley. Several springs were discovered along the eastern slope of the range, but Boundary Cation was found the first practicable pass south of Grape- Vine Canon. Between these passes is the highest portion of the range, and some very pretty mountain country on the eastern slopes, which are gentle, and there is good grazing. Piflon is almost the only wood found. The place is a resort for Indians, who gather the pifion- nuts in quantities in the fall. Here was also first observed the peculiar blinds made by the Indians just beside the springs for killing the birds- quail and some very small varieties- that come iu numbers to the only water to be had. These blinds have the general appearance of a beehive, are made of rushes and small boughs interlaced, with an opening for entrance on the side away from the spring. The interior is large enough to seat one person, a small opening being toward the water through which to shoot the arrow, and with string attached for recoving it no alarm is produced. In Oasis Valley duck- blinds were found constructed iu the same way near little artificial ponds. The ascent of this range on the east side is easy, but, crossing to descend into Death Valley, the faces of the strata are broken into abrupt descents, and boxed canons are almost universal and often impassable. From Oasis Valley we passed the Armagosa range by Boundary Cation, stopping to occupy Wah- guy- he Peak, and, entering Death Valley a second time, camped at Salt Wells. This portion of the valley is, if possible, more dreary than the southern part, for, except this salt marsh, where grows a tall greeu grass, but of poor quality for grazing, its general appearance is a great stretch of white sand, interspersed, it is true, with mesquite trees, but these are perched upon hillocks sometimes 15 or 20 feet high, their roots having protected the saud about, while the wind has carried away the intermediate portions. We found the water at the Salt Wells unfit for use, ( duriug a portion of the year it can be used,) but iu crossing the valley ami at a short distance from our camp we found several holes with a small supply of very good water. The excavations snowed a stratum of saturated sand but a little below the surface, and the indications are that it would not be difficult to obtain water by a little digging almost at any place in this vicinity. The valley is here about twelve miles wide. Our march was through Cottonwood Canon, in the Panamint range. We reached water and a camping- place at sundown. On this day's march our animals were much exhausted, two having to be left, unable to travel; one died almost immediately, the other was brought into camp the next day. The water met with had been sufficient only for ourselves, and riding animals and some of the pack- mules had been without for forty-eight hours; and in this one encouuters the difficulty of traveliug with more than a few animals. Besides the scantiness of the graziug, the springs are too small to furnish sufficient water. We passed along the stream of several miles in length, lined with cottonwoods, and following a good trail, camped at springs near the summit of the rauge and the head of the canon. The uniformity of the ranges is broken at this place, and a spur that separates Panamint from Salinas Valley juts out from the Panamint range. The highest portion of this spur, somewhat plateau in character, is interspersed with springs, and good grazing is found. A mule- ranch has been established. Occupying a tnangulation- station here, we passed along the spur and crossed the Cerro Gordo range by a very steep trail, and came to the mining- town of Cerro Gordo on the eastern slope aud near the summit, ( for AP. JJ- 9 |
