64 SACRAMENTO CANONES AND RIVER. 
which it leads, (on the Sacramento,) is fifteen miles, one half of which must be effected by fol- 
lowing the mountain side. The total descent is 1,300 feet. 
Round valley, through which the Sacramento river descends from the northeast, and through 
which a road can be carried at pleasure, extends for 15 miles below this point to the head of the 
first cañon of the Sacramento. This cañon is a formidable obstacle to be overcome. Its entire 
length is 13.74 miles, succeeded by an open valley of similar extent, which is followed by 
another cafion 8.95 miles in length, of the same character as the first. The river, as it enters 
the first cafion, is from 30 to 40 feet wide, flowing with a rapid current over a bed of rocks ; and 
it is 60 feet wide as it enters the second caiion, just below the junction of Fall river, and flows, 
over a similar bed with an equally swift current. At their heads these cafiones are vertical 
trachytic rocks, 80 feet high, with large masses of fallen rocks accumulated at the bases of the 
walls. The first is cut through a high plain for six miles; the plain then rises somewhat, 
and is surmounted by high sloping ridges rising five or six hundred feet above it, and the 
cañon becomes much broader, and its walls more elevated for two miles, to where it makes a 
large bend to the north; below this the walls gradually decrease, and in two miles the cañon 
opens to the width of half a mile, which it preserves for three miles to the succeeding valley. 
The highest portions of the walls rise 200 feet above the stream, with an accumulation of fallen 
rocks extending half way to the top. For eight miles the course of the cañon is direct. It 
then makes a long bend to the north, and is followed by two or three short curves, but with a 
generally direct course. Its open part is timbered, and its walls less abrupt; and on the right 
bank of the stream, the mountains, followed by the river, extend considerably into the plain 
of Fall river. The most favorable line for the passage of a railway leads along the plain on 
the north side of the river, and descends the sides of the rocky hills which surmount it, and 
continues on the side of the mountain until it enters the plain of Fall river. The second cañon 
is only less formidable than the first because of its less extent. Its character is entirely the 
same, except that it is surmounted near its head by sloping mountain ridges of a similar alti- 
tude to the former. But on the south side, a few miles distant, the ridge subsides into rocky 
voleanic hills and plains. It will require a minute survey to determine the most practicable 
line by which to pass it; but it is probable that the best line will be found to leave the river a 
few miles above Fall river, and to pass around the ridge extending southward, and again return 
to the Sacramento at the mouth of Canoe creek, four miles below the foot of the cañon, avoiding 
short curves, which must be encountered in it, and diminishing the amount of rocky cutting ; 
for in the passage of each of these cañones, the expense will be very heavy from this cause, 
and can only be estimated after an extensive and complete survey. 
For 96 miles below the mouth of Canoe creek, to 17 miles above Fort Reading, the course of 
the Sacramento lies entirely through heavily timbered mountains, which rise precipitously from 
the river banks to the height of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet above the stream. Its course is wind- 
ing, with all varieties of curves greater than a right angle, and it is seldom entirely straight 
for two miles consecutively, but its general courses are more uniform. 
The foot of the mountains along the stream is often obstructed by fallen rocks to such an 
extent as to prevent its passage on horseback, and it is also obstructed by fallen timber and 
dense thickets of bushes; but the obstructions from fallen rocks are favorable rather than other- 
wise, for the construction of a railroad, as they will serve to form its sub-structure. At many 
points, but for short distances only, the way is obstructed by rocks in place. The road will 
require to be carried on the side of the mountains, a few feet above the stream at high water, 
throughout this entire section to the open valley of the Sacramento, whence it can be continued 
on the open plain. The latitude of our camp, near the northwest angle of the river, was 
41° 03". 
The southern or Noble's pass of the Sierra Nevada (which I explored) branches from Madelin 
Pass, and the general line followed, on the western shore of Mud lake, which it follows to its 
southwestern termination, where it approaches nearest to Pyramid lake. It then turns more 
