118 EXPLORATIONS ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 



party. This stream heads some 12 miles off in the mountain range, is rapid, and, 

 after running in a northeasterly direction, sinks 2 miles below camp. At this camp it 

 is from 6 to 10 feet wide and about 1 deep ; bottom gravelly and rocky. The grass 

 in the vicinity of our camp, along the bottom of the creek, in the valley, and in the 

 mountains, is exceedingly abundant. Currants are found on the creek. Road, to-day, 

 good ; soil, argillo-arenaceous ; the wild sage and rabbit-bush the characteristics of the 

 valleys, cedars and firs the mountains. It is very possible that a cut-off may be made 

 from the mouth of Neill's Creek to the mouth of Stevenson Canon, when the road is 

 perfected ; and the intervening country should be examined for the purpose. 



July 18, amp No. 20, Mwmfs Creek, Steptoe Valley.— Elevation above the sea, 

 6,193 feet ; thermometer, at 5 a. m., 46°. Moved at 20 minutes after 5 ;. course, south- 

 eastwardly, across Steptoe Valley. Two miles and eight-tenths from camp get into and 

 follow a wagon-road, which, an Indian who lives in this valley says, was made by the 

 Mormons in the spring of last year. He represents that they came into Steptoe Valley 

 from the east ; had about 50 wagons, and after proceeding north of our camp some *8 

 or 12 miles, turned into a canon of the Un-go-we-ah range, whence they turned back 

 and retraced their old route to the settlements. I have no doubt that this was the route 

 taken by the Mormons at the time it was reported they were flying from our troops 

 last spring, and were going to Silver Mountains. This is the route that Lott Hunting 

 don, a Mormon mail-agent at Ruby Valley, reported to me as one which had been 

 traveled by some emigrants in an attempt to reach California from Fillmore and that 

 nothing more had ever been heard from them ! (Mr. Bean, August 10, informed me 

 that he, Bean, was one of the guides to the Mormons, on the occasion referred to above 

 and that they had 14 horse and mule teams, and about 30 ox teams, and that they 

 returned because they did not like the country.) 



About a mile from where we struck the Mormon road, we cross a fine creek, which 

 I call after Capt. Carter L. Stevenson, of the Fifth Regiment of Infantry. This stream 

 comes from the Un-go-we-ah range, and, after getting into Steptoe Valley runs north 

 wardly in it for 3 or 4 miles below where we crossed it, and sinks. It is 5 feet wide 

 1.1 deep of rocky bottom rapid current, of milky hue, its taste good, and would be 

 serviceable m nrigatmg the rich bottom along it. Indeed Steptoe Valley in this lo- 

 cality exhibits a very extensive bottom of luxuriant grass, intermingled with clover 

 and „ : not too old (,t „ 6,146 feet above the sea, or 1,286 feet above Camp Floyd) a 

 bo h Murry Creek and Stevenson Creek could be used in its irrigation, ir would fur- 

 nish an excellent location for a post or Government farm. An abundance of hay conld 

 be cut for the winter, and possibly the cereals (except com), as well as garden veg- 

 etables, would thrive. The fort or post could be located on either Murry or Stevenson 

 Creek, though the former, probably, on account of its being on the west side of the 

 valley, and herefore the freest from snow in the winter, would be preferable as a site 

 The Indian living here says the snow in the valley is only generally about six inches 

 deep, and some winters there is none at all. It never lasts long. In Spring Canon 

 Pass of Mon-hm range, it is about 2 feet deep. Should the Government ever locate 

 a post here the mattery reserve should be bounded by the highest crests of the Mon- 

 tim range, limiting Steptoe Valley on the west; by the highest crests ,4 ,h, Vn -,„ 



