RAILROAD REPORT-ROUTE EAST OE CASCADE RANGE. 
43 
heavy grades or expensive work would he required. In the last few miles, however, consider¬ 
able cutting through trap rock might he necessary. 
Lieutenant Williamson’s notes on the upper canon of Pit river, will he found in Chapter III, 
under the date August I. He considered it practicable to construct a railroad in this canon, at 
a reasonable expense; although much heavy rock cutting and numerous short curves would he 
required. The ascending grade would he 76 feet per mile, for the whole distance of 9.9 miles ; 
and it is probable that numerous bridges would he necessary. It is my opinion, that a better 
location would be found, by further examination, upon the northern hank of the river. The 
trail, although very rocky in places, is generally good, and the hills are low. Although the 
river descends about 750 feet, from a higher to a lower terrace, in this canon, I think that by 
proper side location, the necessary ascent might he made, and a line conducted round the canon 
on this hank, with grades never exceeding 200 feet per mile. The expense of construction 
would probably ho very much less than by the canon route. 
The road would next cross Round Valley to Camp 23. No difficulty of any kind would he 
encountered in this section. 
Between Camps 23 and 24 the country was hilly, and considerable heavy cutting through 
cellular trap would he necessary. It is highly probable that the spring branch upon which 
Camp 24 was situated, discharges into Pit river. If so, the railroad should follow up its course. 
Between Camps 24 and 25, the only serious obstacle would he the low ridge which borders 
Wright lake. It is very probable that these hills could he turned by passing to the west of 
Wright lake, and striking Rhett lake at once ; hut as this line was not examined, I have 
represented on the railroad profile the route by Wright lake, with the grades which could he 
readily obtained by side location, and an increase of distance of 2.5 miles. The railroad would 
gain the summit, with an ascending grade of 150 feet per mile for 3.5 miles, by winding to¬ 
wards the east, at the foot of the ridge. It would then descend to Camp 25, with a grade of 
150 feet per mile, for 3.5 miles. 
The first ridge crossed after leaving Camp 25, could he turned, with an increase of distance of 
about one mile, by locating the road further towards the north. 
The next obstacle of importance, was the steep descent to the shore of Rhett lake. This 
could be overcome by winding towards the south, with a grade of 200 feet per mile, for one 
mile„ 
The road would then traverse a flat plain, to the Natural Bridge of Lost river. The stream, 
which is here deep and sluggish, is about 80 feet in width, with hanks hut little elevated above 
the water surface. A description of the Natural Bridge will be found in Chapter III, under the 
date August 13. Whether the stone arches are sufficiently strong to support a railroad, can 
only be ascertained by careful examination and measurement. Loaded wagons now cross, with¬ 
out danger. Trap rock and pine timber, for construction, could be readily obtained from the 
neighboring hills. 
From the Natural Bridge to Upper Ivlamath lake, the only expensive work would be encoun¬ 
tered in passing the low ridge which borders the lake on the south. A short cut of 23 feet, 
through trap rock, would be required. It is probable, that a portion of the upper part of Lost 
river valley, is occasionally submerged, in the rainy season, by water from the lake; but I think, 
that a location could he easily found, which would avoid this danger. 
The railroad would next follow the lake shore to the point where our trail left it. Consider- 
