Valley, tbe wagons following a wagon-road to the Robinson District for tlie first daj's march of 

 twelve miles. The country is comparatively well watered, and grazing in sufficient abundance. 

 The next day took us directly across Sierra Valley, to a place called Summit Station, in the foot- 

 hills of the Egan range, scantily snpplieil with bunch-grass, and water coming from a little spring, 

 some two miles to the northward. The road fiom this point to Mineral City, Uobinson District, a 

 distance of fourteen miles, was good and hard, so that in this day's march a camp is made on 

 Murray's Creek, on east slope of Egan range, flowing into Steptoe Valley, which at this point shows 

 a strip of land lit for cultivation. This valley extends to the southward from Murray's Creek, a 

 distance of nearly thirty-five miles, while current report indicates that the same or contiguous val- 

 leys reach to the Central Pacific Kailroad, with insen.sible divides, touching the same at a point 

 about thirty miles east of Humboldt Wells, or near Toano. It is reasonable to suppose that such is 

 the case with this and Si)ring Valley, the next valley to the eastward. If so, the railroad can be 

 tapped with good success, and country roads, nearly due north and south, may be constructed on 

 either line. Murray's Creek lies some six miles below Hercules Gate, a point on Simpson's route 

 1858-'59. Remaining at this camp for three or four days to take careful observations and topog- 

 raphy, a chance was given for a hasty examination of the mines in the 



ROBINSON DISTRICT, 



which is twenty miles long by six in width, lying on either side of the gorge in the Egan range, 

 through which a natural road leads into Steptoe Valley. This camp presents remarkable natural 

 facilities for the mining and milling of ores. Water and wood are in abundance and in close i)rox- 

 imity to the prominent leads. Lumber in immense quantities can be procured along the eastern 

 slope of the mountains, from eight to fourteen miles to the south, while the hills in which the mines 

 lie are covered for the most part with a thick growth of nut-pine and mountain-cedar. Agricul- 

 tural products can be obtained from ranches in Stejjtoe Valley. The ores are principally base, 

 showing large proportions of lead and copper. A proportion of these alone would permit of work- 

 ing by the ordinary wet process, while others require roasting and others again must be smelted. 

 The deposits are plenty and have more the appearance of deposits than well-defined veins, oc- 

 curring in dolomitic limestone, much disturbed. But few developments had been made, and it is 

 not impossible that after reaching a moderate depth permanence of the veins may be .secured, and, 

 if so, upon further opening uj) of the country, it is not unlikely that large amounts of bullion can be 

 profitably produced from this locality. 



Leaving camp on the morning of the 6th of August the foot-hills of the western side of Step- 

 toe Valley are followed to a place called Ice Creek, quite seventeen miles. To our left, during the 

 day, several hay-ranches were passed, mostly situated ou Steptoe Oeek, rising in the Schell Creek 

 range. The crop of grass is abundant ; bunch-grass is also good and in large quantity in the hills. 

 To our right fine patches of timber are seen in the distance, often reaching almost to the tops of the 

 highest peaks of the Egan range. Pine and fir furnish all the kinds of lumber found in these hills ; 

 there is, however, an unlimited supply, but unfortunately sitiuited w itii referenee to water, as are 

 most all places found at high altitudes in the mountains, and below the latitude of White Pine. 



Only small springs are met with, and these do not always contain good water, except where 

 they act as reservoirs for the melting snows. Steptoe Creek sinks in the middle of the valley, 

 as is common with most streams in these semi-desert localities. Nearly opposite camp is the Nevada 

 Mining District, not visited for want of time. In the same range, to the northward, is another 

 small district. 



On the morning of the 9th camp is broken, and passing a low divide. Cave Valley, having the 

 same general .southern trend, is reached and followed to a locality opposite the I'atterson Mining 

 District near a cave of local fame, supposed to be (piite extensive and womlerful. This camp is in 

 a very lovely basin, with the sharj), steep peaks of the Schell Creek Mountains to the east, while 

 the Egan range, with broken and rolling hills, lies to the westward. Wagons were sent back to 

 Hamilton to take forage and sui)i>lies along the more westerly line for our return ; meanwhile parties 

 went out to the north and eastward. A secure and pleasant camp was made; also arrangements to 

 2 w 



