SCENERY. 89 
River, where a ledge of rock three hundred feet wide crosses 
the valley. Under this rock runs the creek, through an arch 
twenty feet high by eighty feet across. The rock above the 
arch is one hundred and fifty feet deep. On Lost River, in 
Siskiyou county, there are two natural bridges, about thirty 
feet apart. The rock is a conglomerate sandstone, and each is 
from ten to fifteen feet wide, and the distance across the stream 
is about eighty feet. One of these bridges is used regularly 
by travellers. On Coyote Creek, in Tuolumne county, ten 
miles northward from Sonora, are two natural bridges, half a 
mile apart. The upper bridge is two hundred and eighty-five 
feet long with the course of the water, and thirty-six feet high, 
with the rock thirty feet deep over the water. The lower 
bridge is similar in size and height to the other. 
§ 62. Solfataras.—In the northeastern part of Plumas coun- 
ty are many hot springs—perhaps numbering one thousand— 
covering an area of ten acres. They roar and hiss so as to be 
heard at a distance of a mile, and their steam can be seen from 
a greater distance. The whole place smells strongly of sul- 
phur, which mineral, as well as alum and various earthy salts, 
abound in the soil about the springs. 
In four or five places in California the earth is constantly 
hot, and sulphureous gases and vapors are always escaping. 
There is such a solfatara about fifteen miles eastward from 
Santa Barbara; another near Owen’s Lake; another near the 
Geysers, in Sonoma; and another near the hot springs in Plu- 
mas county. It was rumored in 1858 that there was an active 
volcano in Plumas county, near Lassen’s Peak, but there is no 
satisfactory proof of its existence, though there is a portion of 
country in that vicinity of which very little is known. 
§ 63. Mount Shasta.—One of the best opportunities for ro- 
mantic adventure in the state is in the ascent of Mount Shasta. 
Several parties have gone to its summit—no trifling underta- 
king. The ascent is very difficult; the sides of the peak are 
steep and rugged. The distance from the southern foot of the 
mountain to the summit is estimated at fifteen miles. Four 
OU 
