16 EXTRACTS FROM | PRELIMINARY| REPORT. 
crossing, beyond, two ranges of mountains whose steep declivities were practicable only for 
pack mules. ' 
We were now nearly five thousand feet above the level of the Rio Colorado, distant, in direct 
line, about one hundred and twenty-five miles. That would give a uniforn grade, the whole 
distance, forty feet to the mile. It was, therefore, necessary to avoid ascents, and seek a route 
where a declivity might commence at the earliest moment. 
Retracing our steps, we explored the same range south. Fifteen miles from Partridge creek 
we found flowing, through a dark grove of overhanging ash and hickory, a limpid stream, 
where ducks, turkeys, and deer were abundant. Five miles beyond Turkey creek we came upon 
Pueblo creek, so called on account of extensive ruins of houses and fortifications that lined its 
banks. 
Thinking that this stream might change its southeast course and flow westward, we pro- 
- ceeded near to the base of Mount Hope. There ascending an elevated peak, the drainage of the 
country still appeared east of south, over the same great tract of fertile country we had previously 
seen from Bill Williams' fork. 
Thirty miles south, at the base of Black mountain, seemed a low summit. But there were 
surer indications of a break in the mountain chain where cut by a branch of Pueblo creek. So, 
returning thither, we ascended its finely-timbered banks nearly due west. In six miles we 
gained the summit of a pass where two streams found their sources within five hundred feet of 
each other; one flowing eastwardly into Pueblo creek, the other westwardly along the course 
we sought. This cut through the sierra seemed formed by nature for a passage. Wide Indian 
trails and ruins of extensive fortifi upon the heights to defend 
it, showed that not only present tribes, but ancient races had deemed this ‘ Aztec Pass’’ of 
great importance. Upon the northern side the mountain slope was regular, and followed in a 
spur parallel to Pueblo creek, enabling the engineer to commence his ascent so as to pass the 
summit with a favorable grade. A deep cut, or perhaps a tunnel of two or three hundred 
yards, might be required through the narrow hill which forms the divide. Leaving ‘‘Aztec 
hon behind us, we gently descended fifteen or twenty miles along the rivulet, which flowed 
sometimes above and sometimes below the surface. Our stream now turning northwest towards 
Yampai creek, in that direction appeared a valley uninterrupted even to the horizon. The 
reconnoitring party again turned westward over a rolling prairie, and, somewhat to our 
surprise, in ten or twelve miles we found our course cut by the creek we had left. It now 
flowed west of south, with cafioned banks fifty feet high. The general surface of the country 
was gently rolling. Following our stream—which now we call Cañon creek—we found that 
the country became more rough, the caiion deeper cutting through, and a few miles below 
emerging from the eruptive barrier that once opposed the flow of its waters. Although no 
extraordinary difficulty may be apprehended in constructing a railway through the channel 
rmed by the stream, it was no natural road for our wagons. Turning westward, we crossed 
the Aquarius range of mountains, and found a favorable passage, which our train followed 
through ‘Cactus Pass " to ** White Cliff ” creek. This was a fine mountain stream that fretted 
upon its rocky shores, shaded by cotton wood and willows. It emptied into Big Sandy, the 
latter flowing south, and seldom showing water above the surface. Twelve miles below we 
again joined Cafion eius The stream of transparent water, probably fifty feet wide and two 
feet deep, glides upon a pebbly bed, and nourishes upon its borders reeds and rushes of vivid 
green. Budding alamos line its banks, and mezquites cover the fertile valley. It is early 
in February, but the thermometer at midday stands 80? Fahrenheit, giving the climate of 
advanced spring. Following the creek for about thirty miles, to our regret it flowed nearly 
south, crossing three successive ranges of eruptive mountains, whose barriers were occasionally 
broken into cañons. There, having received an affluent from the east, it imd westward to 
the — with the Rio Colorado. 
