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Show APPENDIX NN. 1255 crosses throngh Beck worth's Pass to Summit Post Office, at the- eastern vertex of Sierra Valley, and continnes along the northern side of the valley, passing out along the middle fork of Feather River. From Beck worth's Pass there* is a road along the eastern side of the valley, throngh Loyal ton, to Sierraville, which then passes westward across the second ridge. Still another road passes from Reno direct to Loyal ton. Three roads lead from the southern into the middle section, and one from the middle to the northern. From the northern section there are three roads crossing east to the Reno and Susauville road. Beckworth's Pass is 5,200 f « et above the sea level, about 1,800 feet below the summit- pass of the Central Pacific Railroad. I had intended to include herein a profile of the road to Beckworth's Pass, with grade per mile, but I fiud the hypsometric observations for that day too unreliable for my purpose. I shall now proceed to state the movements of the party. The California division of the sarvey was organized at Carson City, Nev. I was placed in charge of this division of the survey, but your own arrival at an early day at the rendezvous- camp renders reference to any other party than my own unnecessary. I was placed in immediate command of party 1, which consisted of the following members: Myself, as executive officer and field- astronomer; Mr. Gilbert Thompson, triangulator and chief topographer; Mr. F. M. Lee, meteorologist; Mr. William Loo ram, odometer- recorder; Mr. E. D. Miner, assistant topographer; 2 packers, 1 cook, 1 laborer. A six- mule wagon and driver were placed at my disposal for a few days; 9 riding and 11 pack mules were allowed the party. The instruments supplied weie the same as usual during the past two years, except that an attempt bad been made to employ a kind of combined transit and theodolite, to be used as an astronomical instrument as well as for triangulation. The rough usage to which such an instrument is subjected in triangulating, and the unfavorable circumstances under which astronomical observations are often unavoidably attempted, combine to condemn the instrument for such double uso. Two topographical transits ( Young's) were allowed; one, I believe, has before been the allowance. The party left the rendezvous- camp at Carson City on September 6 for the field of operations, proceeding direct to Reno, meandering and profiling the route. The rations of this party had been accumulated at Reno. Owing to the late beginning of work aud the probability of early snow in my area, 1 decided to work in the northern section first. The party reached Reno on the 7th. I concluded to leave Reno with forty days' rations, and at the end of that time I expected to be able to return without material loss of time. On the 8th I left Reuo with the wagon, carrying 32 days' rations and 1,000 pounds of barley. Mr. Thompson was left in charge of the pack- train with 8 days' rations, to follow my trail as rapidly as the regular work would allow. I followed the road along the east base of the mountains, crossing through Heck worth's Pass into Sierra Valley, continued west to Beck worth's Post Office. At this point I passed from the middle to the northern section by the road connecting them. At the head of Clover Valley, one of the small valleys of this section, I was enabled to leave my rations and forage in the custody of a ranchman. I then retraced my course. On the 11th September I met the train, having just entered Sierra Valley. The wagon and driver were then dis-fatched to Carson City. Mr. Thompson had already occupied one triangulation- station, eavine Mountain, which is northwest of Reno and east of the Sierras. Two others were made on the main ridge of the Sierras, respectively, on the 12th and 13th. In addition to this, several topographical stations were made before reaching the ration-station in Clover Valley, which was on the 15th September. From this camp we worked to great advantage for 15 days. Parties were se » * t out iu all directions, returning by different routes when practicable. The same animals were not used continuously, which is great economy. On the 1st October the party left the camp. Our packs were now much lighter, rations having been considerably reduced. We proceeded farther north than we had yet been, to the extreme triangulation- point iu that direction, which is situated in latitude 40° 16'. At this point the party passed to the east of the Sierras, striking the Susanville road near the northern- shore line of Honey Lake. This lake receives the drainage of the eastern slopes of the Sierras for 50 miles, both north and south. It is about 12 miles wide and 15 long, not over 5 feet deep on an average. Myriads of ducks aud geese were seen there. Turning to the south, the party kept the road to the point from which we previously left it, crossed a second time throngh Beckworth's Pass, followed down the east side of the valley, then up the west to Beckworth's Post Office, then diagonally across the valley to Loyalton, and from there to Reno, reaching the latter October 16. From September 6 to October 16, inclusive, every day had been available for work. Bad weather kept the party in Reno during the 17th. The wagon returned to me at this time, as had been previously arrauged. An enlisted man was teamster, and a corporal was in charge of the wagon. One of my ackers left me here, but I did not employ another, as the wagon more than replaced im. On October 18 the party left Reno by the only unmeandered road which led to our field of work. It was called the Hennes Pass Uoad. By it we crossed into the sonthern section of our work, and continued along the northern side of it. On the 20th another camp was established, with intention of remaining thereat for some time. I |