RAILROAD REPORT ROUTE WEST OF CASCADE RANGE. 51 



bend to the west, flows through it to the South Umpqua. The approximate length of the 

 stream from its mouth to the point where we crossed it, in Kogue River valley, is thirty -five 

 miles. The difference of elevation between these points is about 887 feet. The average 

 ascending grade would, therefore, be only about twenty-five feet per mile. The increase of 

 distance by this route over that by the Umpqua canon, would be about seventeen miles. 

 According to the best information which I could obtain, Cow creek canon would require no 

 sharper curves than the Umpqua canon, and it is a cause of regret, that the want of a proper 

 escort rendered its examination by my party impossible. 



Having reached the southern base of the mountains, by the Umpqua canon road, the divide 

 between Cow and Wolf creeks could be passsed, by crossing Cow creek with a bridge about 

 thirty feet in length, two miles before reaching the usual ford, and then gaining the summit 

 by side location, with an ascending grade of about 143 feet per mile, for three miles. The 

 descending grade to Wolf creek could be reduced, by side location, to 187 feet per mile for four 

 miles. I have no doubt that a lower point could be found in this divide a short distance 

 further to the north, and the above grades thus be reduced. 



The route examined from Wolf creek to Rogue river was found to be very unfavorable for the 

 construction of a railroad, on account of the Grave Creek hills. These hills separate Grave 

 creek from Wolf creek on the north, and from Jump off Joe creek on the south. They are densely 

 timbered, and, for reasons fully stated in the Itinerary, they could not be thoroughly examined 

 by the party under my command. The hills north of the creek were between 500 and 600 feet 

 in height, and those south between 800 and 900 feet in height, where we crossed them. I 

 believe that a practicable railroad route through both ridges could be found by a little explora 

 tion ; but, if this should not prove to be the case, the line could follow Wolf creek to Grave 

 creek, and that to Rogue river, and then turn up the latter. Very easy grades could thus 

 be obtained to Evans ferry, where we crossed the river, with an approximate increase of dis 

 tance of about thirty miles. According to the best information which could be obtained, no 

 insuperable obstacles would be encountered on the way.* 



Should favorable passes through the Grave creek hills be discovered by future examination, a 

 bridge about twenty feet long would be required at Grave creek, and another of about the same 

 length at Jump off Joe creek. From the latter bridge, the line could either follow the trail of 

 my party to the next creek, with the grades indicated upon profile No. 2, sheet No. 2, or, by 

 an increase of distance of about four miles, follow down Jump off Joe creek to the mouth of 

 this tributary, and then take a nearly straight course to Evans ferry. The grades would be 

 comparatively easy, and the work light, upon the latter route. The little tributary, where we 

 crossed it, was about ten feet in width. 



c This is the route indicated on profile No. 2, sheet No. 2, for the proposed railroad line. The approximate altitude of 

 the mouth of Wolf creek, and of the point of striking it, were determined in the following manner. The distance from 

 Evans ferry to the mouth of Rogue river is about ninety miles by the course of the stream. The altitude at Evans ferry 

 is 913 feet. Hence, the average descent of the river is about ten feet per mile. This result is confirmed by my observa 

 tions at Fort Lane. My camp there was about 150 feet above the river, and 1,202 feet above the level of the sea. The 

 water surface near it was, therefore, about 1,052 feet above the sea. Being fourteen miles above Evans ferry, it should be 

 1 ,057 feet, were the estimated descent of ten feet per mile correct. The slight difference of five feet between the observed 

 and computed heights, shows that this estimated descent may be assumed for this river without material error. The mouth of 

 Wolf creek is, approximately, thirty miles below Evans ferry, and its altitude is, therefore, about 613 feet above the sea. 

 Its distance from Camp 75 A, which is elevated 1,151 feet above the sea, is about twenty-five miles. Hence, the descent 

 of Wolf creek is about twenty-one feet per mile. As the railroad would not come down to the level of the water, before 

 reaching a point about two miles below Camp 75 A, the altitude of this point would be, at the above rate of descent, 

 about 1,109 feet. 



