Explorations and Surveys for the Pacific Railroad. 85 



numerous ravines. For 16 miles before the junction of Pass 

 creek with Coo-che-to-pa creek, the former passes through a bro- 

 ken canon. After following Coo-che-to-pa creek seven miles, 

 the valley of Grand river is attained. 



The route follows the valley of this river 173 miles, then 

 crosses the divide to Green river, 68 miles, and by the tributa- 

 ries of the latter approaches the pass through the Wahsatch 

 mountains. A tunnel three-quarters of a mile long is here re- 

 quired, the eastern approach to which is by means of a grade of 

 125 feet per mile for 6-J- miles, and a descent to the west for 5 

 miles of 131 feet per mile. Thence westward along the valley 

 of Salt creek for 18 miles the grade is 95 feet per mile, 16 miles 

 of which is through a rocky canon, intersected by lateral streams. 

 The route then enters the valley of the Sevier, the exploration 

 terminating on this river, 86 miles farther on, and 1,348 miles 

 from Westport. 



From the western border of the State of Missouri to the Kocky 

 mountains, 650 miles, no timber suitable for railroad purposes 

 will be found, upon which reliance can be placed. From the 

 Coo-che-to-pa Pass to the Great Basin, 500 miles, there is none 

 available on the route, and the nearest supplies on the moun- 

 tains bordering the Great Basin are in latitudes 40° and 41°. 

 "With building-stone it is about as well supplied as the other 

 routes. Of water there is a sufficient supply, except between 

 Grand and Green river, a distance of 70 miles, where, at certain 

 seasons of the year, little or none is found. 



The soil west of the meridian of 99° is, under the present me- 

 teorological conditions, uncultivable, except in limited portions 

 of river-bottoms and small mountain valleys ; these latter, from 

 their great elevation, being better adapted to grazing than agri- 

 cultural purposes. This description is completely in accordance 

 with the geological formation and meteorological condition ; the 

 former, from the meridian of 99° west, being apparently tertiary, 

 excepting in the high mountain passes. 



This route may be considered to possess, in common with that 

 of the 41st parallel, the large body of fertile soil in Utah Terri- 

 tory occupied by the Mormons, the area of which is about 1,108 

 square miles. 



The coal field of Missouri lies at the eastern extremity of this 

 route ; the indications of coal in the Grand and Green Eiver ba- 

 sins make it highly probable that seams sufficiently thick for 

 profitable mining exist there. 



In regard to grade and construction, it is unnecessary to enter 

 into any discussion of that portion of the route from Westport 

 to' the Sangre de Cristo Pass. It presents no peculiar difficulties 

 or advantages, but is similar to the routes of the 47th and 41st 

 parallels. 



