DISCOVERY OF THE NEW PASS. 
20 
It was proposed to descend the mountain on the side opposite to that we ascended, and to 
return to camp by going around its southern base. This plan was adopted, and by doing this 
stream, in many places passing through rocky canons, where expensive side-cuttings would he 
necessary. For these reasons I considered this pass as of no importance. 
The approach to this pass from the Great Basin, by the wagon-road, is over an outlying ridge, 
which extends parallel with the main divide, and thus forms a long narrow valley. This valley 
is occupied by a chain of small lakes, which are bordered by a luxuriant growth of grass. 
NEW PASS. 
Returning to camp with the intention of advancing to the Mohave river, I was induced by 
Lieutenant Stoneman’s report to ascend a high mountain near camp, from which a fine view of 
the Santa Clara valley could be obtained ; and for this purpose the camp remained in the same 
place another day. The mountain is the one named on the map Stoneman’s mountain, and we 
found it by aneroid measurement to he 6,000 feet high. From this great elevation we had a 
very extended view. In a westerly direction we saw the valley of the Santa Clara spread at our 
feet, the many low hills of that valley giving it almost the appearance of a plain. On the 
north of the valley was the Coast range : on the south a branch range from the latter known 
as the Susannah range ; while in the valley between, a branch of the Santa Clara was traced, 
winding its course towards the sea. On the northwest was the Sierra, and on the northeast 
the Great Basin. Many bearings were taken which afterwards proved useful in plotting the 
