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Show APPENDIX NN. 1265 the sink. The summit is 4,800 feet above the lake, and from it a fine view was obtained. About this peak there are numerous springs, and there is some woodland along the eastern slope of the range, but toward Saud Spring the range is capped with volcanic rock, and entirely destitute of wood and water, ( Saud Spring beiug at the edge of a low flat.) By the road the summit is abont 18 miles from Stillwater, and Mountain Well, within a half mile of the summit, is the only water between Stillwater and West Gate; the water is now scarcely fit for use, the well having been standing open for several years. An old wagon- road leads from the summit to Li Plata, about 3 miles to the north. Not many years ago this place, like Coino, gave promise of being a flourishing miuing-town. There still remain a fine stone and brick foundation and chimney of a large mill which was stopped in the buildiugr. A second mill was erected in Black Rock Canou, near by, about the same time. Now the place has reverted to a pasture- ground for sheep and cattle. There are two small springs of water, one in an old tunnel near the mill, and another half a mile to the north. Crossing Fairview Valley we found quantities of bnnch- grass. The altitude of the vnlley is but 4,000 feet, and it is a good winter range for cattle; in summer there is no water. The drainage is toward the Humboldt salt- deposit, which is in the northern Cart of this valley. To the south aod in the upper portion of the valley there is a large arren flat. At West Gate there is a single house where travelers can be accommodated. Good water is obtained from a well. The telegraph office, nntil recently established here, has been discontinued. We remained at this camp abont a week, during which time, trips were made into the adjacent country. One was by the Ellsworth freight- road as far as Tyler's Station, or Chalk Well, so called from the chalky appearance of the water, which does not rise more than a few feet in the well. To return to West Gate we followed a road which connects these places, but makes a detour through East and Middle Gates. A station was occupied near Chalk Well, on the west side of which is a small spring. At East Gate there is running water and a small vegetable- farm, the nearest market to which is Ellsworth, 28 miles distant. An old road crosses the Desatoya Range here from Putnam Creek. It was made by Captain Simpson, in 1859, in bis outward route. ( East Gate was called by him the Gate of Gibraltar, and the Desatoya Range the So-day © or Lookout Mountains.) Following the water- course toward West Gate, water rises to the surface at White Rock. Here, at the junction of Captain Simpson's two roads, a station was built. The fork to the north, which he followed on his return route, crosses the Desatoya Range by Edwards Creek Pass, and this one was afterwards used for travel. From White Rock our route was through Middle Gate, where water again was found at the surface, and thence to West Gtte. Very little wood is to be found in the vicinity, the nearest to the station being abont 11 miles distant on the east slope of the Fairview Range. This range is remarkable for the scarcity of water about it; although the peaks rise in even slopes more than 4,0) 0 feet above the Fairview Valley, and some wood and grass abound, yet no running water was found. A dry camp had to be made for the ascent of the highest peak. The formation at its snmmit is a flaky shale. One large spring is reported on the east slope of the range and to the south of this peak. A number of cattle range the country and seem to subsist well, though the pasture is undoubtedly scant. It is believed the animals accustom themselves to remain a long time without water. In known cases they come to water at intervals of from thirty- six to forty- eight hours, and as soon as their thirst is satisfied start off to the hills again. From West Gate the road by Cold Springs, & c, was followed to Patterson Ranch, on Edwards Creek, while a small party made a detour to the north, towards Grant Peak. We ascended along Bench Creek, a small bnt constant stream running to the foot- hills. Wood was plenty along it. Good pasture- land was found about the summit, there being a plateau of gra « s- land to the south of the peak. We camped one night near the Fumniit to take observations for azimuth from the peak. Thence we followed a trail that descends very abruptly to Cherry Valley, in the range, 3 miles to the north of the peak. In this valley and its surroundings several hundred head of horses range, in a half- wild state. At Clan Alpine, which is near the month of the caflon drain from Cherry Valley into Edwards Creek Valley, there is a small agricultural settlement. A mill erected by a mining company which commenced operations here some years since is now used as a barn. We crossed the valley to Patterson's, directly opposite. A second observation for azimuth in connection with Grant's Peak was made at Patterson's, the tent in camp having been previously sighted from the peak. From Patterson two roads lead to Austin; the one to the north, with the telegraph line, goes by New Pas*, Mouut Airy, and Jacobs ville, and was the road last used by the stage company; the other is by way of Edwards Creek, Smith Creek, and Emigrant Pass, and thence several roads cross Reese River Valley to Austin. The Desatoya Range being next in order, we proceeded to work up its topography from New Pass south to the drainage of Putnam Creek. In the mountains there is 80 B |
