18 



of low shore that, extendiug above Callville, is lost iu the rough mouQtaius that, breaking across the 

 river at this point, constitute the walls of Virgin or Boulder Caiion. Again, at the mouth of the Vir- 

 gin, the river may be approached, but not again until the crossing is reached below the foot of the 

 Grand Caiion. This point can be approached from Saint George by following down the Grand 

 wash. The next crossing is at the mouth of Paria Creek. Soine twenty miles further is a point 

 known as El Vado de los Padres, that leads into the Navajo country. 



These six points are the only available ones in a stretch of three hundred and fifty miles at which 

 the river can be approached by a road, and at the most of these that road cannot be much better 

 than a trail, without largfe expenditure in the way of building. The precipitous and high mountains 

 make down to the banks of the Colorado in a continnous line, from eight to ten miles below El 

 Dorado Cauon, and up to within five or six miles of the mouth of the Virgin. At the three other 

 crossing points direct communication can be had with the lower country. Between the first-men- 

 tioned places, according to information obtained, no parties have ever succeeded in gettingdown to 

 the river from the lower side. 



I am indebted to Mr. Gibbons, representative from Saint Thomas to the territorial legislature 

 of Arizona, and Mr. Ira P. Hatch, an old Indian guide and interpreter in Meadow Valley, for nuicli 

 of tlie information in regard to the Colorado in the vicinage of the reconuaissance-Iine. 



Lieutenant Ives and party succeeded in following down Diamond Creek until the Colorado 

 was reached. This is probably the only point at which a party can get through on the lower side 

 between the crossing below the Grand CaDon and the coufiuence of the Little Colorado, except at 

 the Sheavwitz crossing. In case there is to be a railroad leading from any point on the Central 

 Pacific Eailroad through Xevada, and counc.ting with Arizona, the problem is a very simple one. 

 The Colorado must be crossed either at the mouth of the Virgin or at the mouth of the Grand 

 wash. 



Knowledge gained from the Indians and from other sources makes it apparent that the passage 

 is not difficult, after having crossed the Colorado at the mouth of the Virgin, to reach the head of 

 the Hualapais Valley, and thence to Preseott, the most notable of any of the points in Northern 

 Arizona. ^ 



While standing upon the mesa near this place, I could see a wide wash that seemed to follow 

 to the top of the low hills opposite, and from which the Indians said we could easily follow to any 

 of the valleys below. I was very anxious to cross the river at this point, and climbing some peak 

 get a view to the south and eastward, but we were obliged to push rapidly on. Should this prove 

 true, it will not be impossible to connect this point^asily with a road to Preseott, which would 

 probably meet the road from Hardyville to the above point near Camp ToU-Gate. A hasty recon- 

 naissance through this stretch of country will be necessary in order to fully settle this point. 



The route from Toano, on the Central Pacific Eailroad, leading through Pahranagat Valley to 

 the mouth of the Virgin, will be the most eligible iu case that it is desirable to reach jioints below 

 the Colorado in this way. 



The route that has been traveled considerably during the present season, leads from Elko 

 via White Pine, down Eailroad Valley to Quinn Canon ; thence, via Crescent Mill, Indian Spring, 

 Las Vegas, and Hardyville, and thence on the military road to Preseott, passing Camp Toil-Gate. 

 By a reference to the table of distances it is seen that this route is comijaratively worthless, and 

 ciin only be used by small parties. 



As regards the navigation of the river, my opinion can bn\y be rendered as a digest of the bulk 

 of authentic intelligence which it was my care to seek as much as possible, at all times, where I 

 supposed it could be found. It is well known that the Esmeralda, an old hnlk, did succeed in 

 getting as far up the river as Callville, then a small Mormon landing above the Black Caiion, pass- 

 ing successfully the Eoaring Eai)ids. If this has been done, it seems quite certain that there are 

 fewer obstructions in Virgin or Boulder Canon. If so, practical navigation may easily reach the 

 mouth of the Virgin. Again, from this point on, it is understood that no insurmountable hin- 

 derances occur to ordinary navigation until the Big Canon is reached ; but after ascending this for a 

 distance of about five miles, it becomes impossible to go any further. No present or prospective 

 needs go to show that it will ever become necessary to navigate higher than the Virgin. If they 

 do, such navigation may be carried as far as the Grand Cafion crossing. In order to accomplish 



