256 SOUTHERN OREGON. 



covered with large blocks of rock: its conical shape proved its volcanic 

 character, although no crater could be perceived. 



The Shaste Peak is a magnificent sight, rising as it does to a 

 lofty height, its steep sides emerging from the mists which envelope 

 its base, and seem to throw it off to an immense distance; its cleft 

 summit gave proof of its former active state as a volcano. The snow 

 lies in patches on the sides and part of the peak of this mountain ; 

 but there is a great difference in the position of its snow-line from 

 that of Mount Hood or St. Helen's. Its height is said to be fourteen 

 thousand three hundred and ninety feet, but Lieutenant Emmons 

 thinks it is not so high. After passing this ridge, they soon met the 

 head waters of the Sacramento, flowing to the southward, and their 

 camp was pitched on the banks of another stream, that came from 

 the Shaste Peak. 



Our party now had their prospects somewhat brightened, having 

 passed safely through the country of the " Bad Indians." I cannot 

 but regret that they should at this time have been found in so hostile 

 a state that it rendered it not only prudent, but necessary for the 

 safety of the party, that all intercourse should be avoided, and con- 

 sequently one of the objects of the Expedition, that of acquiring some 

 knowledge of their actual condition, numbers, &c, was frustrated. 



On the 4th, they had fairly entered into the district of pines : again 

 some of the Lambertiana were measured, and found to be eighteen feet 

 in circumference, with cones sixteen inches long. 



They encamped on Destruction river, which runs from this moun- 

 tain range toward the south, in a place where they found food for 

 their horses and water in abundance. The air was delightful ; the 

 forest protected them from the rays of the sun, and besides this the 

 game was plentiful. Near the encampment, in a northwest direction, 

 was a mountain ridge shooting up in sharp conical points and needle- 

 shaped peaks, having a precipitous front. One of these peaks almost 

 overhangs the valley, presenting a gray surface of naked rock two 

 thousand feet high. The valley which adjoins is strewn over with 

 boulders of white granite similar to that already described. From 

 this there is little doubt that the ridge is formed of the same material. 

 At meridian they reached a small valley bordering on the Destruction 

 river, where they found a chalybeate spring. The water oozes out 

 from the rocks, bubbling up freely, and is highly charged with car- 

 bonic acid gas. In taste it was found agreeable to both the riders and 

 the animals. Its temperature was 50°, that of the air being 75° ; 



