30 
EXPLORATION OF THE MOHAVE RIVER. 
we reached, in an open spot, the branch of the river. Following this branch to its source, we 
were quite surprised to find the depression in the mountains here very low, and the pass, thus 
found, to he open, and apparently of quite gentle and gradual acclivity. As the existence of 
this pass was supposed previously to he unknown, I named it New Pass ; and though not sur¬ 
veyed till some time subsequent, I will now describe it. 
From an accessible point in the Great Basin, nearly eight miles from the divide, the survey 
commenced, and followed the course of a long open valley leading to the crest. This valley is 
represented in the annexed wood-cut; the crest or divide is not, however, visible, being between 
the ridges at the extreme right of the picture. 
From the point in the Basin at which the survey commenced until we arrived within a mile 
and a third of the crest, the grades were below 50 feet. Here we found half a mile at 218 
feet, and four-fifths of a mile at 240 feet per mile. These grades can easily he reduced by either 
excavation or winding to gain distance. Commencing the descent we have 77 feet for 1 T V mile, 
on an almost perfect inclined plane; 3§ miles at 105 feet; and all the rest of the descent far below 
80 feet per mile—the greatest being 78 feet for If mile. I may safely say that the descent in 
this pass can he made without having it at any point a grade as great as a hundred feet. The 
survey was made with odometer and. barometer, and there was no obstruction for the wagon, 
except for a short distance, occasioned by trees. This pass leads into the Santa Clara valley, 
near where the wagon-road through the San Francisquito Pass enters it, from which point there 
is no obstruction to the ocean. I believe this was the first time a wagon had ever been taken 
through this pass. 
Returning from Stoneman’s mountain, we continued our route with the train for the Mohave. 
We were obliged to skirt the base of the mountains to find grass and water, neither being 
known to exist in the Basin. We found several springs, hut finally, after a long march, 
camped on a hold stream which was a river in the foot-hills, hut sank immediately upon reaching 
the Basin. It is marked on Preuss’ map from the surveys of Colonel Fremont; hut as we 
knew no name for it, we called it Johnson’s river, after the soldier who found it for us. 
The next day our. march was very slow and fatiguing to the animals, as the country was filled 
with yucca trees and bushes, and no road had been broken. Fortunately, about dark we came 
to a small stream, where our thirsty mules obtained water. Had it not been for this, I think 
many would have given out. We stopped here a few hours to allow them to rest and eat a little 
barley that we had saved, and also to get supper for ourselves. Then travelling all night, we 
reached the Mohave the next afternoon. It was a great relief to all when we struck the “ old 
Spanish trail,” for then, the road having been broken, we had no more hushes to contend with. 
We made a depot camp where that trail strikes the river, October 19, 1853. 
So far we had succeeded in progressing towards the mouth of the Gila, but we were by no 
means sanguine of future success. The country we had passed over from the passes in the 
Sierra, though very trying to us, presented no impediment to the construction of a railroad, 
water being obtained by digging, and the total right-line distance about 150 miles. But there 
were unknown mountains to he examined and crossed before we would be at our destination. 
MOHAVE RIVER. 
The three days subsequent to our arrival on the Mohave were spent in examining the country 
in different directions, so as to form a proper plan for our future movements. Every peak in the 
vicinity which seemed likely to afford an extended view was ascended, and the conclusion was 
