1786 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



Pass, farther south in the main divide, some 800 feet lower, is naturally fitted for a 

 railroad pass, over which and down the Cochetopa a fine wagon-road already exists. 

 The greater expense of the long detour might probably prevent its being utilized. 



A reconnaissance for a line to the west was made during 1877 by engineer corps of 

 the Santa ¥6 line to the Gunnison, the Lake Fork, and the Uncompahgre. By the 

 chief engineer we are informed that the distance by their survey from Caiion City to 

 the Lake Fork is 159.9 miles, and to the Uncompahgre 198. 



The construction of this line would be very expensive, but would result in securing the 

 entire trade of the Elk Mountain district, which will develop rapidly with the opening 

 of the Indian reserve to settlement, that of Lake City and vicinity and of the Uncom- 

 pahgre region, both mineral and agricultural ; it would, in fact, soon monopolize the 

 whole of the Upper San Juan, which is immense, is rapidly increasing, and is well 

 worth contention. 



Section II. — Wagon-roads. 



Of the Lower San Juan the seat of the largest population is the Animas Park, con- 

 taining thousands of acres of tillable land susceptible of easy irrigation. Above this, 

 however, and beyond the grand canon of the river lies the largest populated region of 

 the entire country and the seat of its greatest mineral wealth. 



Silverton, upon the Animas, and other towns and contiguous mining camps, may be 

 reached from the railroad and Del Norte directly by following up the valley of the 

 Rio Grande and crossing the mountain-range that forms the divide between the waters 

 of that and the Animas; more indirectly, by reaching the lower country and the Ani- 

 mas, and thence passing up the canon of the river. 



As the lower country is the least fa vorsd with respect to outer communication, it 

 may be well to first consider it. Hemmed in upon the north and east, which, with 

 outlying spurs that contain many peaks of great altitude and few practicable or nat- 

 ural passes, the summits of the mountain-chain lie approximately in the arc of a circle 

 with Pagosa Springs nearly at the center. It is, moreover, south of the position of 

 Garland City but 11 miles, being about 100 miles west thereof. From the railroad ter- 

 minus all roads to the lower country at present have a common point, viz, the crossing 

 of the Chama at the plaza of Los Ojos, one of the villages of the Tierra Amarilla sec- 

 tion, whence the main-traveled line, known as the " Upper road," passes to the Animas, 

 via Pagosa Springs. While the distance to the Animas is greater by this than by the 

 route called the "Middle road," which, passing by the Laguna de los Caballos, Piedras 

 de Legurados, and the Canon Curacoa, to the San Juan below the mouth of the Navajo, 

 and crossing the Rio Piedra and Rio de los Pinos, unites with the upper road on the 

 Rio Florida ; it is preferable to the latter, on account of more frequent water and the 

 fine grazing along the route, timber being everywhere abundant. Hence, from its nat- 

 ural position and the relative points of supply, Pagosa becomes a strategic point, and 

 the line which will easiest and quickest enable travel to reach it will, and in fact must, 

 become the popular and frequented route. 



The Rio Grande River, which emerges from the mountains at Del Norte, taking a 

 southeasterly course through the San Luis Valley, is, during most of the year, easily 

 passed, being fordable with but little difficulty at a number of points from Del Norte 

 south. Like all streams, however, that spring from lofty summits in the main range 

 and are fed by banks of eternal snow, it is subject to great increase in its waters during 

 the spring months of the year. The small brooks become roaring rivers, and with 

 difficulty are crossed, where earlier and later the passage may be a matter of no diffi- 

 culty. At such times the Rio Grande is a formidable barrier, and can be crossed only 

 by bridge or ferry. A few miles below Del Norte a bridge over the river secures travel 

 of all kinds from any interruption at all seasons, while that below, bound southwest, 

 finds passage during high stages of water in one of two ferries that are located on the 

 lines of travel. 



The lower country. 



GARLAND TO CONEJOS. 



From Garland City to Conejos and the southwest two routes are optional. The 

 first, in a general southwesterly course north and not far from the Rio Trinchera, 

 crosses the Rio Grande just above its mouth, at a distance of 19£ miles from Fort Gar- 

 land and 26 miles from Garland City. Thence it continues some 26£ miles due south- 

 westerly along the north bank of the Rio Conejos, a tributary of the Rio Grande, with 

 its month a mile below the Trinchera, reaching the plaza of Conejos at a distance from 

 the railroad of 52-J miles. 



Part of the way on this route another road may be taken by crossing the Trinchera 

 a few miles below Fort Garland and continuing south of, and near it, about as far dis- 

 tant as the former above. It reaches the Rio Grande at the mouth of the Conejos, 

 whence, passing due west, it comes into the other road at a distance of 4 miles. While 

 no appreciable distance is saved by this route, its only advantage ordinarily being, 



