the:camnpe eee | 
anuary 28.—To-day we went through the pass with all the camp,and 
_after a hard day’s journey of twelve miles, encamped on a high mand rh re 
_ the snow had been blown off, and the ex afforded a se 
[174] 224 
a searcely perceptible ascent, forming a beautiful pass; the exploration of 
which we deferréd until the next day, and returned to the camp. 
To-day an Indian passed through the valley, on his way into the moun- 
tains, where he showed us was his lodge. We comprehended nothing of 
his language; and, though he appeared to have no fear, passing along in 
full view of the camp, he was indisposed to hold any communication with 
us, but showed the way he was going, and pointed for us to go on our road. 
By observation, the latitude of this encampment was 38° 18' 01”, and 
the elevation above the sea 6,310 feet. — 
January 27.—Leaving the camp to follow slowly, with directions to 
Carson to encamp at the place agreed on, Mr. Fitzpatrick and myself con-— 
tinued the reconncissance. Arriving at the head of the stream, we began 
to enter the pass—passing occasionally through open groves of large pine 
trees. on the-warm side of the defile, where the snow had melted away, 
occasionally exposing a large Indian trail. Continuing along a narrow 
meadow, we reached in a few miles the gate of the pass, where there was 
a narrow strip of prairie, about fifty yards wide, between walls of grauite 
rock. On either side rose the mountains, forming on the left a rugged 
mass, or nucleus, wholly covered with deep snow, presenting a glittering 
and icy surface. At the time, we supposed this to be the point into which 
- they were gathered between the two great rivers, and from which the 
waters flowed off to the bay. This was the icy and cold side of the pass, 
gathered itself rapidly, and descended quick; and the valley did not pre- 
serve the open character of the other side, appearing below to form a 
canon. We therefore climbed one of the peaks on the right, leaving our 
horses below; but we were so much shut up, that we did not obtain an 
extensive view, and what we saw was not very satisfactory, and awakened 
considerable doubt. The valley of the stream pursued a northwesterly 
direction, appearing below to turn sharply to the right, beyond which fur- 
_ ther view was cut off.» It was, nevertheless, resolved to continue our road 
_ the next day down this valley, which we trusted still would prove that of 
the middle stream between the two great rivers. Towards the summit of 
peak, the fields of snow were four or five feet deep on the nort 
de; and we saw several large hares, which had on their winter color, 
ng white as the snow around them. % 
The wii s short in the mountains, the sun having but a small 
of sky tg travel over in the visible part above our horizon; and the 
5 the air is keenly cold. The interest of our 
g, and it was after nightfall when we reathed 
ere 
: together made our travel- 
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