10 



collect all possible data previous to encountering a more difficult country to the south. The march 

 to this point from Ice Creek was 28| miles, over a fine mountain-road, with no water available till 

 within two miles of the camp. 



TRIP TO PEETJSS LAEE AND RETURN. 



Upon the latest published map of Nevada consulted, (Holt's map,) a lake of considerable size, 

 called Preuss Lake, is put down as cut by the eastern boundary of the State. It was determined 

 to send a small party to find oiu this locality and return to the camp at the cave. Accordingly, on 

 the morning of the 14th, with au escort of ten men, a start is made, and passing through the break 

 of the mountains where lies situate the little places known as Montezuma and Springville, belong; 

 iug to the Patterson District, Duck Lake Valley is reached, and bearing along its northwest side, 

 after a march of fifteen miles, a camp made at Benson's Greek. Here is good grazing, and a 

 tract of arable land. Have passed a lake of small size, filled with innumerable duck, comprising 

 most of tlie game so far encountered; large game very scarce, only au occasional deer and antelope 

 seen, and these at long distances. As for small game there is but little; along the foot-hills now 

 and then a few sage-hens and jack-rabbits are encountered ; higher up, and wherever timber is 

 found, grouse appear in occasional flocks. The next day a low divide is crossed into Spring Valley, 

 which, like its mate, (Steptoe Valley,) continues, it is said, to the railroad direct, with only low 

 divides between almost continuous depressions. A march of over twenty miles leads to a camp 

 opposite Jeft' Davis Peak, near the Shoshone Mining District. Camp is made at a small creek with 

 pure and clear water, near ranches that have sprung up in conjunction with the mining camp. 

 Bunch-grass abounds ; hay is plenty in the immediate neighborhood, and three or four thousand 

 acres of cultivatable land await the settler. 



SHOSHONE DISTRICT. 



A few hours are taken for a hasty glance at these mines while the party is moving on. This 

 is done in company with Mr. A. F. White, acting State Geologist of Nevada, who met us in this 

 vicinity, having been our companion at the Gave for a few days. It is not proposed to enter into 

 any detail with i-egard to mines in this report, as their bearing upon roads and means of commu- 

 nication, whether military or civil, is very slight at present, and as their undeveloped stateis so general. 



The mines are on the western slope of the Snake range, and exposed in a rough break in 

 the side of the mountains, down which a large wash of sand has accumulated, making a ramp to 

 bring one up nearer to the level of the mines. The leads seem wide and well defined, free, 

 also, in a great measure, from the base metals, and ought to work well by the ordinary wet process. 

 There is certainly a good showing for the extraction of a large amount of ore, most of which is 

 likely to be of low grade. But few miners were at work at the time of our visit. Water in the 

 near vicinity of the mines is scarce; being enough for the necessities of the camp. The creek, 

 near which the camp was made the night before, affords a good site for mills. Fuel abundant ; 

 lumber to be obtained some eight or ten miles higher up on the same range. The party had gone 

 into camp ; some springs of bad alkaline water. Before night fourteen rattlesnakes had been killed, 

 and it was thoHght not inappropriate to name this place " Eattlesnake Springs." Further acqtiaint- 

 ance with the locality proved that it was well to leave a warning in the name for the future traveler. 



From this point, the ascent of the mountain known as " Jeff Davis Peak," and considered the 

 highest point between the Sierra Nevada and Eocky Mountain range is made. The summit reached 

 by the moonlight, and a descent to the line of vegetation, where the rest of the men with the pack 

 animals were in camp, is made therefrom. An early start in the morning brought us to the top at 

 8.30 a. m., and observations for latitude and longitude were taken, the barometer-observations 

 showing an altitude of at least 13,000 feet. The descent was more rapid, but not easy, and night 

 found us back at camp completely exhausted. The next day a march of twenty-three miles is made 

 to Sacramento District, in a pass of the Snake range. 



The road all along Spring Valley had been a rude track, lately made by the prospectors of the 

 region. Pure water is found in this mountain-pass. Some little fuel of scant cedar and nut-pine. 

 Generally speaking, the water so far in our course Las been found far better.iu quality and more 



