HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 207 



rather scarce; but water can be obtained at several 

 places. 



The Platte River is about one hundred and fifty 

 yards in breadth where the trail reaches it. The 

 current is sluggish and turbid, and the water is very 

 shallow. The trail continues along the banks of the 

 river, the course of which is nearly from west to east, 

 and the road is all that could be wished for travelling. 

 The bluffs which skirt the valley present considerable 

 variety, and as the route is continued, they become 

 more elevated and broken. The soil of the valley 

 becomes less fertile and the vegetation is thin and 

 short. After traversing the valley of the Platte for 

 the distance of one hundred and thirty miles, the 

 trail crosses the river and continues along the north- 

 ern bank of the south fork for about twelve miles, 

 when it diverges from the stream to pass over the 

 prairie to the north fork. The distance from the 

 south to the north fork of the Platte, by the emigrant 

 trail, is about twenty-two miles, without water. The 

 country between the two streams is high and rolling. 

 The soil is poor, the grass short, and no trees or 

 shrubs are visible. The trail descends into the valley 

 of the north fork of the Platte, through a pass known 

 as Ash Hollow. There is but one steep or difficult 

 place for wagons in the pass, and in the valley will be 

 found a spring of pure cool water. At this place, 

 there is a sort of post office, where letters are left by 

 emigrants, with requests that they shall be taken to 

 the States by those who pass this way. 



For several miles from Ash Hollow the trail passes 

 over a sandy soil, which is very soft, but which after- 

 wards becomes firmer. The scenery then presents 

 the aspect of barrenness and desolation. Sand and 



