^ TEJON PASS—GRADES, ETC. 
becomes less and more uniform, and which corresponds with the point above described, at the 
western base of this wedge-like summit. The horizontal distance between these two points is 
about 1.15 mile, which is the distance it would be necessary to tunnel. 
From here to the point in the Great Basin where we left off levelling, the distance was 6.4 
miles, at an average grade of 205 feet to the mile, the difference of level being 1,308 feet. The 
maximum grade between any two stations was 267 feet per mile for about half a mile, and the 
minimum 138 feet for nearly the same distance. The barometer made the difference of level 
between the two points 28 feet less. 
The eastern terminus of the line was 3,388 feet above the sea, and was on the edge of the 
Great Basin. From here the ground assumes an unbroken appearance in the direction of a 
large dry lake-bed, about 25 miles distant and 1,000 feet lower. As this lake has probably no 
discharge, and is fed only by the drainage of the surrounding mountains after heavy rains, its 
altitude, 2,388 feet, may be considered that of the lowest part of this, one of those many subor- 
