70 
ROUTE NEAR THE FORTY-FIRST AND FORTY-SECOND PARALLELS. 
Bridger’s Fort, is the small amount of rock-cutting, and even that in very soft material. It, 
however, crosses ground much cut up by ravines and gullies, and many places easily torn up 
by the torrents, probably requiring great caution in location and much masonry, which the 
absence of good building-stone would render exceedingly expensive. An extensive embank¬ 
ment will be required on Muddy creek. It is probably very deficient in wood, for nowhere 
contiguous to it are large supplies reported to exist. Coal is abundant on the Green River 
section. From Council Bluffs to Fort Bridger, by this route, is 897 miles. If my reasoning 
as to elevations is correct, the sums of the ascents and descents are at least 12,082 feet. Apply¬ 
ing the equation of grade, this would give an increased length of 229 miles—making the total 
equivalent horizontal distance 1,126 miles. 
For the route by the South Pass we have, in the same way, an increased length of 178 
miles, and an equivalent horizontal line 1,120 miles. I do not think it possible to make a 
correct comparison as to cost of constructing the two routes. It could only be done after careful 
examination on the ground with that object in view. 
Should any route to Oregon be found practicable, leading along the foot of the Wind 
River mountains up the head-streams of Green river, and across the mountains between them 
and the headwaters of the Snake or Lewis river, the South Pass would gain additional 
importance as a point from which branches could be sent both to Salt lake and California, and 
to the Columbia. 
There are reasons to believe that this latter route may be practicable; and it is, at least, wor¬ 
thy of a careful examination. The straight line from the South Pass to Fort Hall is 175 
miles, while by the route surveyed by Fremont it is 444 miles, being the one usually trav¬ 
elled by emigrants. The known abundance of grass and water in the beautiful valley of Bear 
river has justified this great detour, to enjoy its plenty and repose, recruit the energies 
exhausted by the long journey already performed, and prepare for the desert of the Snake River 
valley. It is said by Mr. Lander, that the more direct northern route to Oregon is about to 
be opened for emigrants. If a feasible route be found between the headwaters of Green and 
Snake rivers, the exploration should be continued to Wallah-Wallah, as the passage of the Blue 
mountains is not yet demonstrated to be wholly practicable, either by the way of the Grande 
Ronde or the canons of Snake river. The profiles will show the present emigrant route to 
Oregon, as surveyed by Fremont, and give all the facts necessary to be considered. Enough 
is there shown to demonstrate its impracticability for a railroad. The pass over the Bear 
River mountains might, however, be avoided by going south of Fort Bridger. 
