RAILROAD REPORT-ROUTE WEST OF CASCADE RANGE. 
51 
bend to the west, flows through it to the South Umpqua. The approximate length of the 
stream from its mouth to the point where we crossed it, in Rogue River valley, is thirty-five 
miles. The difference of elevation between these points is about 887 feet. The average 
ascending grade would, therefore, be only about twenty-five feet per mile. The increase of 
distance by this route over that by the Umpqua canon, would be about seventeen miles. 
According to the best information which I could obtain, Cow creek canon would require no 
sharper curves than the Umpqua canon, and it is a cause of regret, that the want of a proper 
escort rendered its examination by my party impossible. 
Having reached the southern base of the mountains, by the Umpqua canon road, the divide 
between Cow and Wolf creeks could be passsed, by crossing Cow creek with a bridge about 
thirty feet in length, two miles before reaching the usual ford, and then gaining the summit 
by side location, with an ascending grade of about 143 feet per mile, for three miles. The 
descending grade to Wolf creek could be reduced, by side location, to 187 feet per mile for four 
miles. I have no doubt that a lower point could be found in this divide a short distance 
further to the north, and the above grades thus be reduced. 
The route examined from Wolf creek to Rogue river was found to be very unfavorable for the 
construction of a railroad, on account of the Grave Creek hills. These hills separate Grave 
creek from Wolf creek on the north, and from Jump off Joe creek on the south. They are densely 
timbered, and, for reasons fully stated in the Itinerary, they could not be thoroughly examined 
by the party under my command. The hills north of the creek were between 500 and 600 feet 
in height, and those south between 800 and 900 feet in height, where we crossed them. I 
believe that a practicable railroad route through both ridges could be found by a little explora¬ 
tion ; but, if this should not prove to be the case, the line could follow Wolf creek to Grave 
creek, and that to Rogue river, and then turn up the latter. Very easy grades could thus 
be obtained to Evans’ ferry, where we crossed the river, with an approximate increase of dis¬ 
tance of about thirty miles. According to the best information which could be obtained, no 
insuperable obstacles would be encountered on the way.* 
Should favorable passes through the Grave creek hills be discovered by future examination, a 
bridge about twenty feet long would be required at Grave creek, and another of about the same 
length at Jump off Joe creek. From the latter bridge, the line could either follow the trail of 
my party to the next creek, with the grades indicated upon profile No. 2, sheet No. 2, or, by 
an increase of distance of about four miles, follow down Jump off Joe creek to the mouth of 
this tributary, and then take a nearly straight course to Evans’ ferry. The grades would be 
comparatively easy, and the work light, upon the latter route. The little tributary, where we 
crossed it, was about ten feet in width. 
This is the route indicated on profile No. 2, sheet No. 2, for the proposed railroad line. The approximate altitude of 
the mouth of Wolf creek, and of the point of striking it, were determined in the following manner. The distance from 
Evans’ ferry to the mouth of Rogue river is about ninety miles by the course of the stream. The altitude at Evans’ ferry 
is 913 feet. Hence, the average descent of the river is about ten feet per mile. This result is confirmed by my observa¬ 
tions at Fort Lane. My camp there was about 150 feet above the river, and 1,202 feet above the level of the sea. The 
water surface near it was, therefore, about 1,052 feet above the sea. Being fourteen miles above Evans’ ferry, it should be 
1,057 feet, were the estimated descent of ten feet per mile correct. The slight difference of five feet between the observed 
and computed heights, shows that this estimated descent may be assumed for this river without material error. The mouth of 
Wolf creek is, approximately, thirty miles below Evans’ ferry, and its altitude is, therefore, about 013 feet above the sea. 
Its distance from Camp 75 A, which is elevated 1,151 feet above the sea, is about twenty-five miles. Hence, the descent 
of Wolf creek is about twenty-one feet per mile. As the railroad would not come down to the level of the water, before 
reaching a point about two miles below Camp 75 A, the altitude of this point would be, at the above rate of descent, 
about 1,109 feet. 
