70 ROUTE NEAR THE FORTY FIRST AND FORTY-SECOND PARALLELS. 



Bridger s Fort, is the small amount of rock-cutting, and even that in very soft material. It, 

 however, crosses ground much cut up by ravines and gullies, and many places easily torn up 

 by the torrents, probably requiring great caution in location and much masonry, which the 

 absence of good building-stone would render exceedingly expensive. An extensive embank 

 ment will be required on Muddy creek. It is probably very deficient in wood, for nowhere 

 contiguous to it are large supplies reported to exist. Coal is abundant on the Green River 

 section. From Council Bluffs to Fort Bridger, by this route, is 897 miles. If my reasoning 

 as to elevations is correct, the sums of the ascents and descents arc at least 12,082 feet. Apply 

 ing the equation of grade, this would give an increased length of 229 miles making the total 

 equivalent horizontal distance 1,126 miles. 



For the route by the South Pass we have, in the same way, an increased length of 178 

 miles, and an equivalent horizontal line 1,120 miles. I do not think it possible to make a 

 correct comparison as to cost of constructing the two routes. It could only be done after careful 

 examination on the ground with that object in view. 



Should any route to Oregon be found practicable, leading along the foot of the Wind 

 River mountains up the head-streams of Green river, and across the mountains between them 

 and the headwaters of the Snake or Lewis river, the South Pass would gain additional 

 importance as a point from which branches could be sent both to Salt lake and California, and 

 to the Columbia. 



There are reasons to believe that this latter route may be practicable ; and it is, at least, wor 

 thy of a careful examination. The straight line from the South Pass to Fort Hall is 175 

 miles, while by the route surveyed by Fremont it is 444 miles, being the one usually trav 

 elled by emigrants. The known abundance of grass and water in the beautiful valley of Bear 

 river has justified this great detour, to enjoy its plenty and repose, recruit the energies 

 exhausted by the long journey already performed, and prepare for the desert of the Snake River 

 valley. It is said by Mr. Lander, that the more direct northern route to Oregon is about to 

 be opened for emigrants. If a feasible route be found between the headwaters of Green and 

 Snake rivers, the exploration should be continued to Wallah- Wallah, as the passage of the Blue 

 mountains is not yet demonstrated to be wholly practicable, either by the way of the Grande 

 Ronde or the canons of Snake river. The profiles will show the present emigrant route to 

 Oregon, as surveyed by Fremont, and give all the facts necessary to be considered. Enough 

 is there shown to demonstrate its impracticability for a railroad. The pass over the Bear 

 River mountains might, however, be avoided by going south of Fort Bridger. 



