JOHN C. FREMONT. 255 



apparently altered in shape and position as we ad- 

 vanced. The valleys are dry and naked, without 

 water or wood ; but the mountains are generally 

 covered with grass and well wooded with pines : 

 springs are very rare, and occasionally small streams 

 are at remote distances. "Not a human being was 

 encountered between the Santa Clara Road, near the 

 Mormon settlements, and the Sierra Nevada, over 

 a distance of more than three hundred miles. The 

 solitary character of this uninhabited region, the 

 naked valleys without water-courses, among moun- 

 tains with fertile soil and grass and woods abundant, 

 give it the appearance of an unfinished country. 



" Commencing on the 38th, we struck the Sierra 

 Nevada on or about the 37th parallel about the 15th 

 of March. 



" On crar route across we had for the greater part 

 of the time pleasant and rather warm weather, the 

 valley-grounds and low ridges uncovered, but snow 

 over the upper parts of the higher mountains. Be- 

 tween the 20th of February and 17th of March we had 

 several snow-storms, sometimes accompanied with 

 hail and heavy thunder; but the snow remained on 

 the valley-ground only a few hours after the storm 

 was over. It forms not the least impediment at any 

 time in the winter. I was prepared to find the sierra 

 here broad, rugged, and blocked up with snow, and 



