ROUTE NEAR THE FORTY-FIRST AND FORTY-SECOND PARALLELS. 61 
EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF LinuTENANT Beckwitu. 
‘Round valley, through which the Sacramento river descends from the northeast, and through 
which a road can be carried at pleasure, extends for fifteen miles below this point to the head of 
the first cation of the Sacramento. This cafion is a formidable obstacle to be overcome. Its 
entire length is 13.74 miles, succeeded by an open valley of similar extent, which is followed 
by another cafion, 8.95 miles in length, of the same character as the first. The river, as it 
enters the first cation, is from thirty to forty feet wide, flowing with a rapid current over a bed 
of rocks, and it is sixty feet wide as it enters the second cation just below the junction of 
Fall river, and flows over a similar bed with an equally swift current. At their heads these 
cafions are vertical, metamorphic rocks, eighty feet high, with large masses of fallen rocks 
accumulated at the bases of the walls. The first is cut through a high plain for six miles; the 
plain then rises somewhat, and is surmounted by high sloping ridges, rising five or six hundred 
feet above it, and the cation becomes much broader and its walls more elevated for two miles, 
to where it makes a large bend to the north; below this the walls gradually decrease, and in 
two miles the cafion opens to the width of half a mile, which it preserves for three miles to the 
succeeding valley. The highest portions of the walls rise two hundred feet above the stream, 
with an accumulation of fallen rocks extending half way to the top. For eight miles the 
course of the cafion is direct. It then makes a long bend to the north, and is followed by two 
or three short curves, but with a generally direct course. Its open part is timbered and its 
walls less abrupt, and on the right bank of the stream the mountains, followed by the river, 
extend considerably into the plain of Fall river. The most favorable line for the passage of a 
railway leads along the plain on the north side of the river, and descends the sides of the rocky 
hills which surmount it, and continues on the side of the mountain until it enters the plain 
of Fall river. The second cation is only less formidable than the first because of its less 
extent. Its character is entirely the same, except that it is surmounted near its head by sloping 
mountain ridges of a similar altitude to the former. But on the south side, a few miles distant, 
the ridge subsides into rocky volcanic hills and plains. It will require a minute survey to 
determine the most practicable line by which to pass it; but it is probable that the best line will 
be found to leave the river a few miles above Fall river, and to pass around the ridge extending 
southward, and again return to the Sacramento at the mouth of Canoe creek, four miles below 
the foot of the cafion, avoiding short curves which must be encountered in it, and diminishing 
the amount of rocky cutting; for, in the passage of each of these cafions the expense will be 
very heavy from this cause, and can only be estimated after an extensive and complete survey. 
‘¢For ninety-six miles below the mouth of Canoe creek to seventeen miles above Fort 
Reading the course of the Sacramento lies entirely through heavily-timbered mountains, 
which rise precipitously from the river-banks to the height of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet above 
the stream. Its course is winding, with all varieties of curves greater than a right-angle, and 
it is seldom entirely straight for two miles consecutively; but its general courses are more uni- 
form. 
“<The foot of the mountains along the stream is often obstructed by fallen rocks to such an 
extent as to prevent its passage on horseback, and it is also obstructed by fallen timber and 
dense thickets of bushes; but the obstructions from fallen rocks are favorable rather than other- 
wise, for the construction of a railroad, as they will serve to form its sub-structure. At 
many points, but for short distances only, the way is obstructed by rocks in place. The road 
will require to be carried on the side of the mountains, a few feet above the stream at high 
water, throughout this entire section to the open valley of the Sacramento, whence it can be 
continued on the open plain.”’ 
The estimate of cost may be set down at not less than from $150,000 to $200,000 per mile; 
100 per cent. to the cost at eastern prices having been added. 
