BBPOBS AND JOUKXAL. 105 



from here, and is represented us being alkaline, and the supply of water a small spring, 

 The guide, it seems, supposed we could not reach this spring till to-morrow, and 

 intended sending back a man, the day after, to report the camp beyond. The retail is 

 that as onr animals will fare best where we are, 1 have ordered a halt, and the com- 

 mand, as stated, to go into encampment. 



I have noticed the pelican to-day floating on the lake and looming bo large as to 

 look like a small sail-boat. Onr old road along the lake is at present overflowed by 

 the water of the lake, and this when Carson River, which feeds it, has declined several 

 feet. This shows that the lake does not sink and evaporate as last as the water flows 

 in. The best grass is to the north of onr camp, to which we have driven our herd 

 Fuel should be brought. 



June 29, Camp No. G t east side of Carson Cafe.— Elevation above the sea, 3,840 



benefit of the water and feed, and not wishing to tarry 'any longer than necessary at 

 onr next, where the water and grass are said tobe very scant, and the latter alkaline, 

 we did not move till 2 o'clock. ' At 11 oYloek a Mr. Ward, of Hacervillc, and three 

 other persons, joined us, in order to accompany us on our route and thus have the 

 benefit of our protection. 



The nearest direction for the road would be from south end of Carson Lake 

 directly across eastwardly to Alkaline Valley, but though there is a low pass to admit 

 of a pack-route, Mr. Reese has reported it too full of sand to allow the passage of 

 *wagons. 



We cross a low rocky ridge, 1 mile to the east of camp, and gradually bear to the 

 right, and pass east of south along west edge of Alkaline Valley. Five and a half 

 miles from camp come to grassy bottom, where there is some tolerable grass, and water 

 probably within a foot of the surface. To the west of this place in the flat is a very 

 small warm spring of pretty good water. The efflorescence around it is not alkali, 

 but pure salt. This being the case, the probabilities are that by digging wells in the 

 vicinity where there are indications of water, good water might be obtained. Two 

 and a half miles farther brought us to a spring 6 feet long, 2 deep, and U wide, which 

 is sulphurous, but not unpalatable. There is a small patch of rushes in the vicinity, 

 but no grass. This was the locality intended by our guide as our camping-ground for 

 the night, but the water and grass proving insufficient we only water the animals 

 scantily and then push on, believing it better to get to the best grass and water as soon 

 as possible, though in order to do so we shall have to travel all night. 



Leave spring at 17 minutes after 5, and in 7.5 miles after crossing Alkaline Valley. 

 join our outward route, near point of mountain, not far from our old camp, No. 30. 

 Here we halt to take some coffee ami teed the draught mules with some of the forage 

 we have brought with us. The Alkaline Valley where we crossed it will evidently be 

 impassable from mire in wet weather. In this ease, persons coming from Carson Lake, 

 should cross the valley about 7 miles north of dug-holes, and then cross on tolerably 

 hard and high ground. 



reave at half past 11 p.m. Night pleasantly cool. Just before daylight felt 

 oppressively sleepy, and every once in a while, though riding in the saddle, would 



