58 RIO PUERCO.—RIO SAN JOSF.—EL ALAMO. 
Packing up and crossing the river we regard as satisfactory progress for the first day. The bed 
of the stream is about five hundred yards wide, with a channel upon each side from three to 
four feet deep, and a temporary island of sand and clay in the centre, occupying about one 
third of the width. In one or two places there were quicksands sufficient to make the passage 
laborious. The current of the stream is rapid. According to the observations of Dr. Wisli- 
zenus, the fall of the water between Albuquerque and El Paso is from two to three feet ina 
mile. Our own observations make the fall five feet per mile at this place. We propose, with 
compass, barometer, and odometer, to examine the country near the direct route to Zuni; and 
to unite with the main survey somewhere upon Rio San José, a branch of the Puerco. 
November 11.— We soon left the river valley to climb the ridge which bounds it. For the 
first six miles the ascent was gradual, averaging, probably, eighty or ninety feet to the mile. 
We then reached a steep bluff, about 200 feet in height, leading to the top of the mesa. For 
eight miles from thence the surface was generally level. A ravine led us gently to the valley 
of the Puerco, which is 300 feet below the summit of the dividing ridge, and at this place quite 
wide. We expected to find the bed of the stream dry, but it contained pools of water. The 
soil looks rich, but is barren for want of moisture. If it could be irrigated by artesian wells, 
as the geologist believes to be practicable, or by reservoirs for the surplus water of the rainy 
season, this region would be worthy of cultivation. 
We encamped here. Two of the beef-cattle strayed last night. Men were sent to-day in 
search of them, but returned late at night unsuccessful. The high table-lands passed over 
exhibit scoriæ and volcanic hills. A few miles below, a vein of coal crops out. We have been 
shown large fragments of it, apparently of good quality. The dragoon blacksmith at Las 
Lunas makes use of it in his forge. From what is now known of the valley of Rio del Norte, 
and the obstacles to be encountered upon both sides, it seems probable that of the two practi- 
cable passes of the Rocky mountains examined by us, the one by Galisteo and San Felipe would 
be more economical than that by the Carnuel cañon and Isleta. Crossing the river at San 
Felipe, we would follow the slope of the bluff southwest, cross Rio Jemez and ascend to the 
table-land. - Thence could be selected favorable ground for a descent to Rio Puerco. 
November 12.—Our route led us to a low ridge, from which we soon descended to the border 
of the fine wide valley of San José. Different portions of the stream have received different 
names: Rio de Gallo, Rio de la Laguna, and Rio Rito. We prefer to retain one appellation 
for the whole, and Rio San José is now generally understood to apply to it throughout. After 
travelling twelve miles, and passing the spurs of some hills, we reached ‘El Alamo,” sometimes 
called Sheep springs. The water seems to issue from beneath a sandstone ledge, but is neither 
palatable nor abundant. The mules were driven three miles across the valley to drink at the 
river. The bluff bounding the Puerco valley upon the west is capped with dark jurassic clay, 
indicative of the presence of coal. At the Carnuel cañon, coal is said to be fonnd in the same 
formation. Gypsum, the new red sandstone, and lias have been seen upon the route to-day. 
-he weather since leaving Albuquerque has been pleasant. The days are warm, though there 
are occasional chilly winds from the mountains. At night the atmosphere is peculiarly serene 
and pure, affording an excellent opportunity for astronomical observations. 
November 13.—Leaving El Alamo, we followed the border of the San José valley, which lies 
south of us, several miles in width. The bluffs on our right were of new red sandstone, with 
gypsum frequently cropping out below, and white jurassic sand occasionally appearing above. 
Twelve miles from camp the valley was contracted between the sandstone bluffs, and upon a 
mesa hill of black lava fifty feet high was the ruin of an old Mexican town called Rita. This 
place has been deserted, possibly on account of Indian depredations. The want of water has 
been suggested as the cause, for the stream that now flows by the foot of the hill is narrow, 
and, a short distance below, shows strong symptoms of sinking below the surface. The banks 
are covered with a rich soil, which, in some places, is white with efflorescent salts. Ascending 
the narrow valley, the stream became larger. A mile above Rita, in a pleasant nook, we found 
Ss 
