60 NARRATIVE AND ITINERARY NOBLE'S PASS. 



At both creeks saw mills were in operation. The ascent to-day was much steeper than that of 

 yesterday. We reached Lieutenant Crook's camp at McCumber's Flat, on Battle creek, at about 

 1 p. m., and our missing train arrived in the course of the afternoon. We had gained an eleva- 

 tion of about 3,600 feet above Fort Beading, and the clear, cool air of the mountains was 

 delightful, when compared with the burning, sickly miasma which we had left behind. The 

 seeds of intermittent fever, however, implanted while passing through the Sacramento valley, 

 remained, and a large majority of the party suffered from this disease before the end of the 

 survey. 



McCumber's Flat is a small opening, thickly carpeted with grass, and surrounded by a dense 

 pine and fir forest. Battle creek, after passing through it, disappears among the trees, and 

 with a sullen roar struggles furiously down its rocky bed. A more pleasant camping place 

 could hardly be desired. 



July 30. — To-day, we crossed the western chain of the Sierra Nevada, by Noble's Pass. The 

 road, which was very steep, rocky, and bordered by pine timber, followed up a branch of Battle 

 creek. In some places it was difficult to drag even the light instrument cart up the precipitous 

 ridges. After leaving the creek, a very steep rise conducted to a long, gently ascending slope, 

 bare of trees, but covered with a dense growth of manzanita bushes. This slope led to the 

 divide, which was perceptible, although by no means steep. Its elevation above the sea was 

 6,260 feet. A fine view was obtained from a point near the road. Lassen's Butte with its 

 snowy crest, rose proudly above the surrounding mountains on the south. Far distant to the 

 westward was a long line of peaks, belonging to the Coast Bange, while at our feet lay the 

 Sacramento valley. But we turned gladly from its parched plains to scan the rough country 

 towards the east, which we were next to traverse. The course of Pit river, as it came from the 

 dim distance, and wound out of sight among the mountains on the north, could be indistinctly 

 traced ; while dark timbered ridges, with occasional plains, filled up the rest of the picture. 



The descent from the summit was at first gentle, but soon became precipitous. The In- 

 dians had recently set fire to the "woods, and the smoke, mingling with the clouds of dust 

 raised by our animals, _was stifling. Near the foot of the ridge, we struck a small stream about 

 fifteen feet in width, called Lost creek. After leaving the road and following down this creek 

 about half a mile, we encamped with good grass and water. The forest was more open on the 

 eastern than on the western slope of the mountains, and it was now almost entirely composed of 

 pine. A deer had been killed on the march, and we had our first venison to-night. 



July 31. — This morning, at half past five o'clock, the thermometer indicated 40° Fahrenheit, 

 a great change in temperature from the Sacramento valley, where it had generally stood at 

 about 65° Fahrenheit at this hour. We retraced our 6teps to the emigrant road, and after bidding 

 farewell to Dr. Hammond, who returned to Fort Beading, followed it through an open and 

 nearly level valley to the next stream, which was about twenty feet in width and called Hat 

 creek. Both this and Lost creek are branches of Canoe creek. After crossing the stream, we 

 left the road, and followed down the valley, without any trail. Light smoke, rising from the 

 summits of the neighboring hills, informed us that our advance was discovered by the watchful 

 savages, although we had seen none of them as yet. The route was good at first, although 

 somewhat obstructed by manzanita bushes, which delayed the little cart. As we advanced, 

 however, we had to pass several rocky ledges. The creek at length divided into two channels, 

 enclosing a small island. This we crossed, and following the western side of the stream soon 

 came to where it caiioned through a ledge, nearly vertical on one side, and gently sloping on 



