60 
NARRATIVE AND ITINERARY-NOBLE’S PASS. 
At both creeks saw mills were in operation. The ascent to-day was much steeper than that of 
yesterday. We reached Lieutenant Crook’s camp at McCumber’s Flat, on Battle creek, at about 
1 p. m., and our missing train arrived in the course of the afternoon. We had gained an eleva¬ 
tion of about 3,600 feet above Fort Beading, and the clear, cool air of the mountains was 
delightful, when compared with the burning, sickly miasma which we had left behind. The 
seeds of intermittent fever, however, implanted while passing through the Sacramento valley, 
remained, and a large majority of the party suffered from this disease before the end of the 
survey. 
McCumber’s Flat is a small opening, thickly carpeted vfith grass, and surrounded by a dense 
pine and fir forest. Battle creek, after passing through it, disappears among the trees, and 
with a sullen roar struggles furiously down its rocky bed. A. more pleasant camping place 
could hardly he desired. 
July 30.—To-day, we crossed the western chain of the Sierra Nevada, by Noble’s Pass. The 
road, which was very steep, rocky, and bordered by pine timber, followed up a branch of Battle 
creek. In some places it was difficult to drag even the light instrument cart up the precipitous 
ridges. After leaving the creek, a very steep rise conducted to a long, gently ascending slope, 
bare of trees, but covered with a dense growth of manzanita bushes. This slope led to the 
divide, which was perceptible, although by no means steep. Its elevation above the sea was 
6,260 feet. A fine view was obtained from a point near the road. Lassen’s Butte with its 
snowy crest, rose proudly above the surrounding mountains on the south. Far distant to the 
westward was a long line of peaks, belonging to the Coast Range, while at our feet lay the 
Sacramento valley. But we turned gladly from its parched plains to scan the rough country 
towards the east, which we were next to traverse. The course of Pit river, as it came from the 
dim distance, and wound out of sight among the mountains on the north, could be indistinctly 
traced ; while dark timbered ridges, with occasional plains, filled up the rest of the picture. 
The descent from the summit was at first gentle, but soon became precipitous. The In¬ 
dians bad recently set fire to the woods, and the smoke, mingling with the clouds of dust 
raised by our animals, u was stifling. Near the foot of the ridge, we struck a small stream about 
fifteen feet in width, called Lost creek. After leaving the road and following down this creek 
about half a mile, we encamped with good grass and water. The forest was more open on the 
eastern than on the western slope of the mountains, and it was now almost entirely composed of 
pine. A deer had been killed on the march, and we had our first venison to-night. 
July 31.—This morning, at half past five o’clock, the thermometer indicated 40° Fahrenheit, 
a great change in temperature from the Sacramento valley, where it had generally stood at 
about 65° Fahrenheit at this hour. We retraced our steps to the emigrant road, and after bidding 
farewell to Dr. Hammond, who returned to Fort Reading, followed it through an open and 
nearly level valley to the next stream, which was about twenty feet in width and called Hat 
creek. Both this and Lost creek are branches of Canoe creek. After crossing the stream, we 
left the road, and followed down the valley, without any trail. Light smoke, rising from the 
summits of the neighboring bills, informed us that our advance was discovered by the watchful 
savages, although we had seen none of them as yet. The route was good at first, although 
somewhat obstructed by manzanita bushes, which delayed the little cart. As we advanced, 
however, we had to pass several rocky ledges. The creek at length divided into two channels, 
enclosing a small island. This we crossed, and following the western side of the stream soon 
came to where it cahoned through a ledge, nearly vertical on one side, and gently sloping on 
