12 EXTRACTS FROM [PRELIMINARY] REPORT. 
chocolate-colored streams, and reach the well known Rio Tucumcari, called by Mexicans, on 
account of its wide and fertile valley, ‘Plaza Larga.”” 
Although it is nearly two hundred miles distant from Rio del Norte, flocks of sheep are 
frequently driven to graze for a season at this favored spot. The creek is a permanently flow- 
ing stream, fringed with trees, and fertilizing a wide belt of country which extends to the 
Canadian river. 
The Tucumcari hills, near by, are remnants of the great Llano Estacado, and their slopes 
likewise contain many large cedars. Throughout this region, artesian wells could be resorted 
to with advantage, to increase the supply of water. 
From this point to Anton Chico our route was constantly upon the upper part of the trias 
red clay and sandstone. The summits of the bluffs are of white sandstone, forming a good 
material for constructions. 
Passing over a gently rolling country, with here and there a stream gliding through woodless 
valleys of red marl, we cross Laguna Colorado, Pajarito, and other creeks flowing into the great 
valley of the Canadian below the cañon. 
Then, ascending a low range of hills, we pass the divide, and encamp on Hurrah creek near 
where it pays tribute to the Gallinas, a branch of Rio Pecos. Water and grass were plenty, 
but wood was scarce. 
The next day, having passed several shepherds' huts, many herds of cattle and flocks of sheep 
feeding in green pastures, we went down into the valley of the Pecos. A border of cultivated 
fields, with wheat, oats, and maize, extends along the valley. 
Anton Chico rests near inviting orchards upon the brink of the stream, enclosed Gë two 
steep banks four hundred feetin height. A gentle slope along a smooth hill-side renders the 
descent to the river comparatively easy. To ascend its western bank was the first great obstacle 
encountered upon the route. 
Mr. Campbell, the principal railroad engineer, was sent to explore, and found two routes by 
which the object could be accomplished. The first descended to the valley, and followed the 
course of the river to a ravine, through which, winding with curvatures of half a mile radius, 
the bank could be ascended with a grade of eighty feet per mile. The other proposed to keep 
the top of the eastern bank to a point above the town, where the cafion is narrow enough to 
allow a viaduct to be constructed reaching the crest of the opposite bank. The saving of several 
miles in distance and ten feet per mile in grade would probably compensate for the great expense 
of such a structure. Stone of the best quality for such purpose exists upon the spot. Magnifi- 
cent pines are found fifteen or twenty miles distant in the mountains, such as are considered in 
this country to afford the best and most durable timber for * vigas" (beams or rafters) of houses. 
The excavation that will be required is in coarse gravel, easily removed. 
Once upon the western bank of the Pecos, the railway may follow the route surveyed through 
Cafion Blanco to La Laguna, or, I believe, ascend along the crest of the Caiion, Pass la Cuesta, to 
Pecos springs, and thence by the summit, marked on the accompanying profile, proceed to the 
headwaters of Rio Galisteo. No mountains, but a high table-land merely, appearing to inter- 
vene, and the distance from stream to stream being but a few miles, it seems quite probable that 
. this course might prove available. 
By Cañon Blanco there is no difficulty, except at the point of leaving it. There, to diminish 
the grade, it will be necessary, at considerable expense for cutting and filling, to ascend by the 
side of the cañon. Beyond this pointthe routeis plain, with light grades and gentle curvatures, 
to a branch of Rio Galisteo east of the Gold mountains. Following its gentle stream through 
a wide puerto of the Rocky mountains, we pass within twenty miles of Santa Fé, and strike 
Rio del Norte at Pueblo de San Felipe, where formerly a bridge spanned the river. "This route 
leads directly by the rich placers of gold and other precious metals, which are said to abound at 
the junction of the eruptive and metamorphic rocks. 
