PLAINS OF MADELIN PASS. 41 
over the miry (dry) soil so often mentioned, was severe, not only for our animals, but for our- 
selves. Five miles below the crest, the country became much cut-up by ravines, and was falling 
off so rapidly, 250 feet to the mile, that we did not deem it necessary to proceed further, but 
ascended a rocky mass and obtained a favorable view of a route leading from the south end of 
Mud lake to the west, which had attracted attention when we were approaching the Sierra 
from the east. Descending from the mountain near us were several small streams, forming a 
grassy pond at the foot of the descent; and beyond this a broken ridge was followed by the 
pass just mentioned ; still to the south of this, a high range was seen, upon which there was 
considerable snow. 
In our outward trip we surprised several Indian families. "They were much frightened at 
our appearance, especially the women. I invited the men to accompany us, and made them 
presents. On our return the women had all disappeared, but the men accompanied us to camp, 
where we arrived at sundown, after a ride of thirteen hours. South from our camp the mount- 
ains rise gradually, but to no considerable height. Cedar was scattered along our path to-day, 
rising to the height of only 40 or 50 feet, but the largest of the trees were two feet in diameter. 
June 24.—I determined to cross to the west the broad plain upon which we came at the head 
of the Madelin Pass, and which would be followed by a railroad crossing this part of the Sierra 
Nevada. As before stated, this plain to the eye is entirely level, and although several small 
creeks flow into it and sink, no water is or can be discharged from it without (first forming 
& lake) overflowing at one of the numerous low gaps in the surrounding ridges. At the 
time of melting snows, there are many little sheets of water standing upon it for a short time, 
and even now it is not free from them towards the west. Its vegetation is generally sage, but a 
few limited meadows of grass exist on its borders. A variety of large snipe and sage-cocks are 
common, but w2 saw no evidences of larger game. On the best authenticated maps in our 
possession, Feather river is laid down as rising far to the north of our present position, and, in 
its southern course, draining the country which we are passing; and, however well we were 
satisfied from the formation of the country that this could not be the case, it still indicated the 
probability of finding a practicable descent, in the direction we were travelling, to the waters of 
the Sacramento ; which is laid down on the maps referred to as having one of its chief sources 
in a snowy range of no great extent, which has been several days in sight to the northwest. 
The day was bright and clear—after the passage of a storm at a distance in the morning—with 
the usual very high wind from the southwest. The entire march was upon the plain, passing 
occasionally between low hills ; and we encamped near the base of more connected low ranges 
near the mountains surmounting the plain to the west, which are low and beautifully dark 
with forests of timber—the first we have seen in twelve months really worthy of the name. 
Day's march, 19.53 miles. The line of profile is direct from our camp of the 22d instant to this 
point; the distance (across the plain) being 21.9 miles, with but a nominal grade. 
June 25.—' Taking the most favorable course we could discover, we were forced still to the 
northwest, passing (upon the plain of yesterday) between two low spurs at first, and afterwards 
leaving a small lake to the left. We then entered a pass, or ravine valley, a quarter of a mile 
wide, smooth and gradually ascending fora mile. It then expanded to the width of a mile, and 
was grassy and smooth, and still rising easily ; but it became narrowed to a quarter of a mile in 
width, and rose more considerably for the last half mile as we approached the summit. The 
hills or mountain ridges rise gently on either side of the ascent, and are finely rounded and 
grassy ; and that to the left, and the whole mountain at the top of the pass, is beautifully 
wooded with pine, two, three, and four feet in diameter, rising in fine trunks to great heights. 
By winding on the hills it would be easy to increase the length of the approach somewhat, 
and to transfer the grade towards the lower part of the ascent, and equalise it ; and the summit 
can easily be cut to the depth of 100 or 120 feet, diminishing the altitude to be overcome. 
The descent to the west is at first rapid, and the ravine narrow; but it soon opens to a much 
greater width, through which a creek descends, at first lazily, but afterwards, as the water 
6b 
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