20 
TEJON VALLEY. 
similar to, but smaller than the one we had left. We at first ascended slightly, till we came to 
a marshy place, from which flowed two little streams, the one to the north into Tah-ee-chay-pah 
This point was in a southeasterly direction from camp, and was in a much more direct line to the 
Mohave river than the outlet of the prairie we discovered. In crossing the spur, however, we had 
to ascend about 600 feet in less than two miles. This point would be far preferable for a wagon 
road, being much more direct, and the ground, in wet weather, more solid than in the outlet. 
We ascended a high peak south of this point, and I gained a much better idea of the topography 
of the country than I had before. 
It may be a question whether it would not be expedient to make a tunnel at this point, if a 
road is to come from the southeast, rather than follow the more circuitous course on a gentle 
grade. The distance saved would be from 12 to 14 miles. I am inclined to think that both time 
and expense would be saved by taking the longer route. 
THE TEJON. 
On the 21st of August we broke up our camp on Tah-ee-chay-pah creek, and marched to the 
Tejon, which is the name given to the extreme southern portion of the Tulare valley lying 
immediately at the base of the mountains. The word is pronounced as if spelled Tay-hone, 
the accent being strong on the last syllable. The derivation of the word is uncertain. Whether 
it is taken from the Spanish word tejon, meaning a badger, or whether it is an Indian word, I 
am unable to say. The trail which we followed led us for ten miles through a series of prairies 
