216 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



sheet of water is surrounded by lofty mountains, ex- 

 cept upon the side where its outlet flows from it. The 

 trail strikes the shore of the lake at its eastern end, 

 and continues around its north-eastern side over a 

 very difficult, boggy road. Having reached the upper 

 end of the lakes, the trail leaves the shore on the 

 right hand, ascends over some rocky hills, and, cross- 

 ing some deep ravines and swampy ground, arrives at 

 the base of the crest of the Sierra Nevada. Then 

 comes the ascent of the steep pass — a work of diffi- 

 culty and danger. The mules are compelled to leap 

 from crag to crag, and, when heavily laden, are often 

 precipitated backward in climbing the almost perpen- 

 dicular rocks. 



Having attained the summit of the pass, the view 

 is inexpressibly grand and comprehensive. A mile 

 journey upon the top of the mountain brings the tra- 

 veller to a small lake, surrounded by good grass, 

 which is often used as a place of encampment. Leav- 

 ing the lake on the right hand, the trail descends over 

 the rocky ground for a few miles, and then enters a 

 beautiful valley about five miles long. Through this 

 valley, which is called the Yuba valley, by the emi- 

 grants, flows the Yuba River, a tributary of the 

 Feather River, and the scene of considerable gold 

 digging and washing. This is the commencement of 

 the gold region, and after their journey through the 

 wilderness, here the emigrants greet the " promised 

 land." From this point to Sacramento city, the great 

 terminus of the overland emigration, it is about sixty 

 miles ; but the trading post of Yuba, Johnson's 

 ranche, Vernon, and the other posts, offer convenient 

 intermediate resting places. 



We have thus sketched the general character of the 



